Help! Advice desperately needed

rainbow12

I bought a car on 4th June and traded in my old car that still had finance on it. I was told the finance would be settled by the dealer within 10 working days, so was due on 17th June.
My next payment was due on 27th June, so I cancelled my direct debit (big mistake, I know).
I have been chasing this payment from the dealer for weeks and keep being told different things (it was due to be posted last Monday 20th June, then Tuesday 21st June, ten it was posted on Friday 24th June, then it was posted on Monday 27th June).

I have called Citroen (who I owe the settlement fee to) on numberous occasions and they havent received payment. They told me that if the settlement payment wasnt received on Monday 27th June (when the payment was due) I could call them and make payment by debit card, as I had cancelled the direct debit. They also said if I dont pay they would make a note on my credit rating for a late payment. My credit rating is spotless and I didnt want it blemished so called Citroen yesterday - they told me they have received my monthly payment but not the settlement fee. I asked on more than one occasion and they told me the payment had been made by direct debit, so I assumed they had claimed on the direct debit again.

I checked my bank account today and the money hasnt been taken - the bank said the direct debit had been applied for and would have looked like it went out of my account, and Citroen would be told within 24 hours that the payment had been refused.
I havent been able to call Citroen this evening, as they shut at 5.30pm and I found this information out at 5.40pm.

I have spoken to the dealer and ripped them a new one. I have also advised that if the payment isnt settled on Friday I will be initiating county court action.

My main concern is:
Will I now have a note on my credit record for a late payment?
Is there anything I can do to ammend this, as it really isnt my fault (I have been chasing this payment for weeks and called Citroen yesterday to make the payment, only to be told it had already been made - I didnt realise it would show to them as paid but would actually be refused).

A second query would be:
Can I go and take my car back and sell it myself and pay Citroen (I have received notification from the DVLA saying I am no longer the owner though - funny how the dealer didnt have any delays in sending this paperwork off). I know I can sell my car to We Buy Any Car for a few hundred punds more than I let the dealer take it for - I let them have it for the ease and lack of hassle.

I would really like some help and advice - I am stressed up to the eyeballs and just want this whole situation ended.

Thanks