Every Loan › Credit scores, credit files and credit checks
Credit scores, credit files and credit checks
Lenders use your credit history to decide whether to offer credit. Understanding what is on your file, and what different checks do, helps you avoid surprises.
What is a credit file?
A credit file is a record held by a credit reference agency. In the UK the three main agencies are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The file includes your credit accounts, repayment history, public records such as county court judgments, and previous searches. It does not contain details of your income or savings.
Is there one official credit score?
No. Each agency, and many lenders, calculate their own score using their own methods and scales. A good score with one provider does not guarantee acceptance with another, because each lender sets its own criteria. The scores shown on free apps are guides, not a lender's decision.
Soft searches and hard searches
| Type | When it happens | Visible to other lenders? |
|---|---|---|
| Soft search | Checking your own file, eligibility checkers, quotes | No, only you can see it |
| Hard search | Applying formally for credit | Yes, most stay on your report for about 12 months |
Several hard searches in a short time may look worrying to some lenders. An eligibility check that uses a soft search lets you gauge your chances without leaving a visible mark, but it does not guarantee approval.
Seeing your own file
You have a legal right to a copy of your credit report. The statutory report is free from each agency, and many also offer free online access. The Information Commissioner's Office explains your rights. Check your file for accounts you do not recognise, which could be a sign of identity fraud.
Correcting mistakes
If something on your file is wrong, ask the agency to correct it and contact the lender that reported it. You can also add a short note of correction to explain special circumstances. If a problem is not resolved, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the ICO depending on the issue.
What affects your file
- Paying on time, or missing payments.
- How much of your limits you use.
- Being on the electoral roll at your address.
- Financial links to other people, such as joint accounts.
- Defaults, judgments and insolvency records, which stay on file for years.
Beware of credit repair claims
Nobody can legitimately remove accurate negative information before its time. Companies that promise to "wipe" your file for a fee should be treated with great caution. You can dispute errors yourself for free.
Next steps
Learn about types of credit, how APR works and where to find free debt help if you are worried.
How lenders use the information
A lender looks at your credit file together with the details in your application: income, outgoings, employment and existing commitments. FCA rules expect lenders to check that credit is affordable for you, which is a separate question from your score. Being declined is not a judgement on you, and lenders are not always required to tell you which factor decided it, although you can ask. If a lender used a credit reference agency to refuse you, you can ask for the name of the agency and then request your file.
Thin files and new arrivals
If you are young, new to the UK or have never borrowed, you may have little on file, which can make lenders cautious. Registering to vote at your address and keeping regular bills in your name can help build a record over time. There are no shortcuts, and borrowing you do not need just to build a score is not something we suggest.
This is general information, not financial advice. We're not a lender or broker and don't arrange credit.
Frequently asked questions
Does checking my own credit score hurt it?
No. Checking your own file is a soft search and does not affect your score.
How long do hard searches stay on file?
Typically about 12 months.
Is there a single UK credit score?
No. Each agency and lender uses its own method.