VM will long ago have written this off as a bad debt hence the lack of record, although they could have sold it on to a (scumbag) debt collection agency who may be holding on to the liability.
Even if you clear the debt (and any interest, late payment and debt collector charges) it won't eradicate the default from your credit history file. If you've simply seen this on your credit record, give thought to letting it age-off. Credit histories are normally six years, so (presumably?) the unpaid debt will become invisible next year, subject to provisos in the link. If you're in the process of seeking credit/mortgage, and the lender has raised this make sure you confirm with them that paying off the debt will unblock any potential loan, otherwise you could pay off a debt that's already long been written off, and still be refused the credit you're seeking.
