There is no single number that counts as a bad credit score in the UK. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion use different scoring systems. Lenders may also use their own checks when deciding whether to offer credit.
A lower credit score could mean you have fewer credit options. You could also be offered a higher interest rate. But your credit score is only one part of an application. Lenders may also look at your credit history, income and whether repayments are affordable.
What is considered a bad credit score in the UK?
A low credit score can mean different things with each credit reference agency.
Experian, Equifax and TransUnion use different score ranges. The same number can have a different rating with each one.
| Credit reference agency | Score range | Lowest rating |
|---|---|---|
| Experian | 0–1,250 | Low: 0–640 |
| Equifax | 0–1,000 | Poor: 0–438 |
| TransUnion | 0–710 | Uses its own scoring system |
Experian scores run from 0 to 1,250. A score from 0 to 640 is rated Low.
Equifax scores run from 0 to 1,000. A score from 0 to 438 is rated Poor.
TransUnion scores go up to 710. Lenders can also use their own checks when they decide whether to offer credit.
Your score can look different depending on where you check it. Each agency may also hold different information about you.
Experian credit score bands
| Experian rating | Credit score |
|---|---|
| Low | 0–640 |
| Fair | 641–860 |
| Good | 861–1,000 |
| Very Good | 1,001–1,120 |
| Excellent | 1,121–1,250 |
Experian now uses a score out of 1,250. This replaced its older score out of 999. You may still see the older score on some third-party services.
Equifax credit score bands
| Equifax rating | Credit score |
|---|---|
| Poor | 0–438 |
| Fair | 439–530 |
| Good | 531–670 |
| Very Good | 671–810 |
| Excellent | 811–1,000 |
Equifax uses a score out of 1,000. A higher score means you have a higher rating on its scale.
Why do credit scores differ?
Experian, Equifax and TransUnion work out credit scores in different ways. They may also hold different information about you.
Your credit score gives you an idea of how your credit history may be viewed. It does not tell you if a lender will accept your application.
A lender may look at your credit report and the details you give when you apply. It may also use its own lending rules.
What can cause a bad credit score?
There are several reasons why your credit score could be lower. These may include:
- Missed or late payments: Missing payments on credit cards, loans or other credit could affect your credit history.
- Defaults: A default may be added if payments have been missed for some time. It can usually stay on your credit report for six years.
- County Court Judgments: A County Court Judgment, or CCJ, could affect how a lender looks at your application.
- Using a lot of your available credit: Credit reference agencies may look at how much of your available credit you are using.
- Several credit applications: Making several applications with hard credit searches in a short time could affect your score.
- Having little credit history: There may be less information to show how you have used credit in the past.
- Incorrect information: Wrong or old information on your credit report could affect what a lender sees.
Does a bad credit score mean I cannot get credit?
No. A low credit score does not always mean an application will be declined.
Lenders use different checks. They may look at your credit history, income, spending and current commitments. They may also check whether new repayments are affordable.
A lower score could mean fewer credit options are available. You could also be offered a higher interest rate. Any application is still subject to the lender’s own checks.
Can I get car finance with a bad credit score?
You may be able to get car finance with bad credit. A credit score is not the only thing a lender may look at.
Go Car Credit is a direct specialist lender. We lend the money ourselves rather than acting as a broker. We offer Hire Purchase car finance and consider applications from people with different credit histories.
We look at each application on its own. We consider your circumstances and whether the repayments are affordable. Any offer is subject to status and affordability.
The credit score you may need can also vary between lenders. Our page about credit scores and car finance explains this in more detail.
Can I apply for car finance if I receive benefits?
Some benefits may count as income when you apply with Go Car Credit.
This could include PIP, DLA, Carer’s Allowance and ESA.
Some Universal Credit payments may also count. Other income may count too.
We may accept some benefits as income for car finance.
Benefits do not mean you will be accepted. We look at each application on its own.
Any offer is subject to status and affordability.
Will checking my credit score affect it?
No. Checking your own credit report or score does not affect your credit score. This is known as a soft search.
Lenders may also use a soft credit search. A soft search does not affect your credit score. It is not normally visible to other lenders.
Does Go Car Credit use a soft credit search?
Yes. If you meet our minimum criteria, we complete a soft quotation search when we review your application. This does not affect your credit score.
A soft search does not mean you have been approved for car finance.
If your application goes ahead, we complete a hard credit search before the finance is paid out. A hard search is recorded on your credit report. It may also be visible to other lenders.
How long does bad credit stay on your credit report?
There is no set time for a bad credit score. Your score can change when the information on your credit report changes.
Some information can stay on your credit report for several years. For example, a default will normally stay on your report for six years from the date it was recorded.
Your score may change as old information is removed and new information is added.
Can a bad credit score improve?
Yes. Credit scores can change over time.
Your score may change as new payment information is added to your credit report. It may also change when older information is removed.
You can review your credit profile to check the information held about you. Checking your own report does not reduce your credit score.
Where can I check my credit score?
You can check your credit score with the UK’s three main credit reference agencies:
Your score may not be the same with each one.
They use different score ranges. They may also hold different information about you.
Frequently asked questions about bad credit scores
Is 500 a bad credit score?
It depends on which credit reference agency gave you the score.
A score of 500 is in Experian’s Low range. The same score is in Equifax’s Fair range. TransUnion uses a different scale.
It is therefore better to look at the score and its rating together.
Can I get car finance with a credit score under 500?
You may be able to. There is no single credit score that decides if you can get car finance.
A lender may also look at your credit history, income and spending. It may check whether the repayments are affordable.
Go Car Credit looks at each application on its own rather than using a credit score alone. Any offer is subject to status and affordability.
What is the lowest credit score?
The three main credit reference agencies use scores that start at 0. However, their highest scores are different.
Experian scores are out of 1,250. Equifax scores are out of 1,000. TransUnion scores are out of 710.
Does a soft search lower my credit score?
No. A soft credit search does not affect your credit score.
Go Car Credit uses a soft quotation search for applications that meet our minimum criteria. If an application goes ahead, we complete a hard credit search before the finance is paid out.
Does Go Car Credit have a minimum credit score?
No. We do not use your credit score on its own.
We also look at your credit history, income and circumstances.
Meeting our minimum criteria does not mean you will be accepted.
Any offer is subject to status and affordability.
Bad credit and Go Car Credit
Go Car Credit is a direct specialist lender. We offer Hire Purchase car finance.
We consider applications from people who have had credit problems in the past. These could include missed payments, defaults or CCJs.
We may also consider applications from people who are self-employed. Some benefits may also count as income.
We look at each application on its own rather than using a credit score alone. Any offer is subject to status and affordability.
