Debt Counseling held against me and Finance refused

recently app**** for vehicle finance which was declined. on enquiry I was told that it was because of my conduct on a direct axis loan that I took out in 2007/2008. I then experienced financial difficulties and app**** for debt counselling. Under the agreement I made payments as agreed. I then opted out of debt counselling as it was taking too long to settle my accounts and took it upon myself to pay off the outstanding balance. I contacted direct Axis and I paid of the account in 2012. I have managed to repair my credit record and have had good conduct on my accounts till then. I have never had any default judgements, I have never been taken to court and I have always settled my accounts in full and believe that I should not be prejudiced for having gone into debt counselling for the sole purpose of not wanting to default on my debts. While I do understand that the offering of credit must take in the conduct of a person on a particular account, can Wesbank not consider the circumstances that led to it and also the willingness to pay off the account. I also read an article on News 24 where Wesbank indicated that Affordability is the most important factor when they review applications but I seem to have been automatically barred from being Financed by Wes Bank soley on my conduct on direct Axis account. Does this mean that this account will always be held against me? is debt counselling a process that is scorned by Wesbank and by extension The first Rand Group? I find this to be extremely unfair.