Radio Silence from Black Horse and BMW Finance

regency_man

I used the MSE template to send inquiries to Black Horse (1 agreement) and BMW Finance (3 agreements) in Feb 2024.

Both companies initially responded to say they had received the inquiry and couldn't give a timescale on when they would respond.

Black Horse were sending me a 'holding pattern' email every month saying they'd give me another update within 28 days, but these ceased as of 21st August and I haven't heard anything from them since.

BMW Finance responded in April to state categorically that one of the agreements did not qualify for the DCA disclosure because it was too new (November 2021).  They sent holding emails saying it would take them longer to look into the other two agreements.  I haven't heard anything from them since 17th April.

Is this similar to other people's experience?  Should I be sending them regular follow-up emails or just keep waiting?

dunstonh

Should I be sending them regular follow-up emails or just keep waiting?

The whole DCA issue is on hold until late 2025 currently.  That is expected to be pushed back into 2026 or even 2027.

Nothing is going to happen before then.   So, there is absolutely no point in sending follow-up emails.  You need to wait.

regency_man

I don't see why that prevents them responding to my request for information on the existence of a DCA? Other than them not wanting to potentially reveal this information.

Weirdly, BMW Finance put this in their last email:

If you are requesting a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR), please email info.sar@bmwfin.com.  Please be aware that the existence of DCA is not held within our customer data and as such is not disclosed within a DSAR, it will however be confirmed as a result of your enquiry.

Seems if you make a specific DSAR request they WILL reveal this information, but if you just make a general enquiry, they will not.  Smoke and mirrors.

dunstonh

I don't see why that prevents them responding to my request for information on the existence of a DCA? Other than them not wanting to potentially reveal this information.

They could be busy with all the people putting in requests prematurely rather than wait until the FCA report that will give instructions to lenders and consumers on what to do.
They may not have the data easily accessible. It may have been archived or deleted.  If archived, they may decide to wait until the FCA report or prepare its reinstatement in time for the FCA report.  

Seems if you make a specific DSAR request they WILL reveal this information, but if you just make a general enquiry, they will not.  Smoke and mirrors.

A DSAR is not specific.    Asking a specific question is not a DSAR.