[Sam L]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice because I'm doing my nut here!

A bit of background... I financed a new car through Paragon. Not long after I was became unwell and ended up being made redundant but the whole time maintained the payments. Then I became seriously unwell again about a year ago. To cut a long story short I ended up hospitalised and off work for 7 months. A few months ago I was deemed fit enough to return to work on light duties - and my employer enforced a reduction in hours which has crippled me financially. Additionally, upon discharge from hospital my consultant told me I wasn't to drive and must notify the DVLA of my condition. So..... there's me skint and unable to drive yet I'm paying £422 p/m for a car that's just sitting doing nothing.

I called Paragon to see what my options were and was told about voluntary termination. It feels like a final kick in the teeth but it also sounded like the best option. Paragon told me what was outstanding to make this agreement and as of last week that's me now cleared the 50% required. I called them again last week just to clarify this and sure enough, I can VT if i so choose.

Now the stuff that's busting my head. Paragon say that after they receive my letter informing them that I wish to VT they will send an inspector out to look at the car. At that point I have to show all my docs - and the car must be taxed and insured. I pointed out that I bought the tax and there's nothing in the contract to say the car must be taxed. To be honest, the cash-in would be handy as the car is a 3.2L V6 and the tax is extortionate for it. I also reminded Paragon that I've only recently cancelled the insurance to cover driving as I'd be breaking the law to get behind the wheel and can't see why I should pay for something i can't do. I was told that if anything happened to the car right until auction then i'm liable!

Also, I was told that if the car was deemed by the inspector as being in good condition, I'd have 72hrs to return the vehicle, which is actually to take the car to the nearest British Car Auctions.... in Edinburgh. I pointed out this was hardly local and asked how could I get the car there when I can't drive. It was suggested to me to get another driver - so I asked how were they expected to get back home once the vehicle was dropped off. She couldn't answer that one so dropped the bombshell that they could arrange to uplift the car for a fee of £141. That really doesn't help my financial problems funnily enough.

I've looked at the contract and none of this is stated - just that the car should be in suitable condition and returned. I genuinely cannot organise 2 drivers and a spare car for the return journey, not if it's Edinburgh as it's too far away so I would have to pay for the uplift... and reinsure my car for this. It's disgusting in my opinion and any advice would be much appreciated.

As an aside, I also have a technical hitch. Paragon say they need the service book and I understand that. I told them I'd lost it when I moved so they say to get the servicing garage to run a duplicate. Guess who doesn't think she's had the car serviced at the dealership? I'm ashamed to say that when I first got unwell I let a lot of things slip and missed it's first service. I did get the local mechanic to do the basics but obviously that didn't get a service stamp. Next, the redundancy and again, another service missed and the cheaper option of local mechanic was again made. This past year has been the worst yet illness wise and joking aside part of my hospital treatment caused memory loss... the thought of servicing my car was the last thing on my mind.

All I can find in the contract about this is if servicing schedules haven't been met then the customer makes up the difference in lost value. Does anyone know how this is calculated?

Sorry about the waffling on, lol. I really hope someone can help though.

Sam