old outstanding finance not showing on credit reports?

[Petrolhead_Rich]

So many years ago in my youth, I financed a car (2007), then defaulted on the payments ~ 2009, partly due to numerous clerical errors on their part, partly due to inaction on my part (stupid I know!), the finance got sold onto a recovery company that I've been paying a nominal amount to ever since (£50/month over 6 years)

I've now signed up to the three Credit Reference agencies (Equifax, Experian and Noddle - AKA Callcredit)

The finance doesn't show on any reports from any of the three credit agencies, presumably because the finance is over 5 years ago and the company taking on the debt hasn't bothered to keep the credit agencies updated? so if I can't see it, then any credit checks by banks etc also won't see it?

There's also nothing outstanding on the Gone Away Information Network (GAIN) on any of the credit reports?

I'm not intending doing a runner from it and the interest is frozen on it, but I'm looking into weather it's worth trying to pay it off sooner or just leave it going at £50/month, as it's not showing then I assume it won't affect my ability to get credit in the future (mortgages etc), so thinking any cash I have would be better put towards deposit rather than clearing the old debt that isn't showing?

Or would applications dig up old records from over 5 years ago?

[Sarnie]

Petrolhead_Rich said:

So many years ago in my youth, I financed a car (2007), then defaulted on the payments ~ 2009, partly due to numerous clerical errors on their part, partly due to inaction on my part (stupid I know!), the finance got sold onto a recovery company that I've been paying a nominal amount to ever since (£50/month over 6 years)

I've now signed up to the three Credit Reference agencies (Equifax, Experian and Noddle - AKA Callcredit)

The finance doesn't show on any reports from any of the three credit agencies, presumably because the finance is over 5 years ago and the company taking on the debt hasn't bothered to keep the credit agencies updated? so if I can't see it, then any credit checks by banks etc also won't see it?

There's also nothing outstanding on the Gone Away Information Network (GAIN) on any of the credit reports?

I'm not intending doing a runner from it and the interest is frozen on it, but I'm looking into weather it's worth trying to pay it off sooner or just leave it going at £50/month, as it's not showing then I assume it won't affect my ability to get credit in the future (mortgages etc), so thinking any cash I have would be better put towards deposit rather than clearing the old debt that isn't showing?

Or would applications dig up old records from over 5 years ago?

Credit files only go back six years.

Once the date of default is more than six years old, the account dissappears.

If the company who have taken the debt on haven't reported it to the credit reference agencies, then bonus.

I'm pretty sure that the company would take a settlement amount to pay it off early, so you get clear of it and save some money, they get a lump sum instead of drips.

Allows you to draw a line under it and move on?