Having recently sold my car, it was during the transfer process that i was reminded of this oddity.
When we purchased the car in late 2001, the bank was not prepared to loan me the money due to being a foreignor. My wife agreed to take the loan in her name, but as her income was not sufficient the bank insisted on a guarantor.
We thought that this was going to be an issue as none of her family are highly paid, but the bank turned round and said that i (the foreignor who was not allowed the loan) could act as guarantor, which i did and had to sign the forms etc as the guarantor.
Just struck me as strange at the time, but downright odd now, anyone else similar kind of experience.