Car Finance! I had all my old paperwork, was mis-sold but is too late and too long ago

Carosar

I used to have all the paperwork relating to the car finance I took out and at the garage I was told I will only get the finance, despite having a large deposit, if I take up their insurance. A quick look at the figures, I was shocked to see the amount totalled a ridiculous amount, roughly £3,000 on top of the 6 or £7,000. 

AT the time I asked if I could arrange my own insurance as it seemed very steep. I was told that I had to have their insurance taken at the same time as the finance. I had been driven about 3 hours to collect this car and my back was against the wall. I had sold my previous car and needed it for work.

When I came across the paperwork in 2016 I made contact with the garage who sold it to me, a week later I had a letter from their solicitor stating that the motor industry was not governed or regulated by any Financial Code at the time and I had no case. This was back in 2000.

I was going through a very bad time and I didn't have any advice to the contrary. Unfortunately I had rent arrears and was made homeless. The Housing Association deposited all of my personal effects into storage and when I was in the position the try and reclaim the belongings for myself and my two children, I realised they hadn't made an inventory and the storage was a leaky old garage, that wasn't in use. I caught a glimpse of the contents so I could make arrangements to collect my valuables and sentimental effects. Most of my furniture was missing or water damaged. there was no sign of paperwork, photos, just some white goods and broken up furniture So I lost me passport, these important papers, my children's things etc etc...

I cant recall the name of the garage, neither do i have the incriminating paperwork, or recall the finance company they used (though I may find this if I can access my credit file).

Do I have any hope in reclaiming this insurance that I didn't want, was highly excessive etc? Was it too long ago? Had I been fobbed off?

Any pointers much appreciated or am I just wasting my time?

Thanks for reading my rather verbose request.

[Deleted User]

You don't appear to have been fobbed off. You're not going to get anywhere with a complaint at this stage, given the time period in question, not knowing who sold you the insurance and having no evidence.

dunstonh

I used to have all the paperwork relating to the car finance I took out and at the garage I was told I will only get the finance, despite having a large deposit, if I take up their insurance

What type of insurance?  If its PPI then you are out-of-time as that deadline has gone.

When I came across the paperwork in 2016 I made contact with the garage who sold it to me, a week later I had a letter from their solicitor stating that the motor industry was not governed or regulated by any Financial Code at the time and I had no case. This was back in 2000.

That is correct. Car dealers did not become regulated until January 2005.

I cant recall the name of the garage, neither do i have the incriminating paperwork, or recall the finance company they used (though I may find this if I can access my credit file).

It wont be on your credit file after all these years.

Do I have any hope in reclaiming this insurance that I didn't want, was highly excessive etc? Was it too long ago? Had I been fobbed off?

Putting aside that you don't know who it was, the firm could use legal timebars to bar you.   The original sale date followed by the solicitor letter in 2016 which you didn't go any further with.   You had knowledge in 2016 of a potential misrepresentation.  You complained and received a response and accepted that response as you took no further action within 3 years.