Prioritise mail order account or credit cards?

I don't understand how an account which was not defaulted can be sold/transferred to debt collectors which Lowells certainly are. How long ago did the transfer to Lowell take place? Could the default have already dropped off (+6 years)? What is the exact status of the Lowell account? How is this account identified in your credit files? Is there any reference to it being 'in collection'?
Why are you still paying interest on balances on the HSBC and Vanquis cards when you have sufficient available credit on the recently opened MBNA and Capital One cards to have transferred the entire high interest Vanquis balance and more of the HSBC balance to these cards?
I can't help noticing that all of your credit card accounts were opened in the last 2 years and the first card account opened was Vanquis, yet the J D Williams account was opened apparently in 2008. Why are there no older accounts on your credit files? Was something wrong with your ability to obtain credit prior to 2017?
How old is the mortgage account that you say you need to change to a different provider within the next couple of months? Why do you need to do this?

Treguard wrote: »

The vanquis and HSBC cards had bigger balances which I transferred over, but I was conscious not to max the new cards.

Maxing out a 0% card is surely preferable to paying 30% interest on a Vanquis card.

Treguard wrote: »

and the mortgage from 2005. .

So why do you suddenly need to transfer this mortgage to a new provider within the next couple of months? I had assumed that this was a relatively new mortgage which was coming to the end of its initial promotional rate, but this mortgage is 14 years old. Why does it need to be transferred?

Treguard wrote: »

Natwest declined me last year and couldn't give a reason. The rep said it could be because a direct debit had failed on ky current account. This year they just wouldn't give a reason, but in suspect it's because of only 5 clear payments showing on the mortgage, when I've made 7.
It could just be Natwest being awkward!!

Can you explain the comment about only 5 clear payments showing when in fact you had made 7 on a mortgage supposedly taken out in 2005? Something doesn't add up here unless you currently have 2 mortgages?
Also presumably the failed direct debit resulted in a 1 status for the current account that month and maybe a late payment marker for whatever the direct debit was for. This should be of more concern to you than the % utilisation of 0% cards.

Treguard wrote: »

I dont understand it either, but apparently it does seem to have happened with some. I imagine JD Williams want a quick buck and sell it to lowell for the quick gain. I suppose there isn't anything to say they can't do this is there? Failing that, maybe it's because the account is so old and hasn't been used since 2008. I was only paying a pound off a month and nigh on forgot about it.

I repeat. Accounts which are being correctly conducted are NOT sold to debt collectors for a 'quick buck'. However, from your statement that you were only paying off £1 per-month it is readily apparent that the account was NOT being correctly conducted!

I can't estimate your chances of getting a new mortgage but I don't think that the missed payment on the existing mortgage will help matters. Also, any status 1 reporting from your bank and the utility company which may have been reported will not help either.
I would strongly suggest repaying the Vanquis card immediately. Having a £100 balance on a card which is not on a promotional offer and not repaying in full will only create the impression that your financial situation is such that you are unable to repay it.
I still find the Lowell/JD Williams business a bit strange but as you insist the JD Williams account was never defaulted and have been in an arrangement to pay for all these years, you can do very little about getting the Lowell account removed. I strongly suggest that you repay it immediately but have the feeling that it is going to stay on your credit files for the next 6 years.
You say that you have made an arrangement with your wife to take on the joint debt in your sole name. This is very good of you, but just how do you propose to do this? The lenders may not agree. to removing your wife's name from these debts.
Good luck with getting your new mortgage. The fact that your existing mortgage is 14 years old and presumably you now have a substantial equity in the property may help matters as you will not be needing too large a mortgage.