A good credit score in the UK depends on the credit reference agency you use. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each use a different scoring range.
As a general guide, a good credit score is:
- Experian: 861 to 1000
- Equifax: 531 to 670
- TransUnion: the band depends on the service showing your score
A higher score can be a positive sign. However, no score can guarantee that you will get credit. Lenders may also check your credit report, application details and their own lending rules.
Go Car Credit is a direct car finance lender. We offer hire purchase finance and consider people with a range of credit histories.
UK credit score ranges at a glance
The three main credit reference agencies use different score ranges. You cannot compare their scores number for number.
| Credit reference agency | Score range | Good score | Highest score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experian | 0 to 1250 | 861 to 1000 | 1250 |
| Equifax | 0 to 1000 | 531 to 670 | 1000 |
| TransUnion | 0 to 710 | Depends on the service | 710 |
For example, a score of 700 means something different with each agency. It is better to check the band linked to your score.
Experian credit score bands
The Experian credit score range is 0 to 1250. A Good Experian score is between 861 and 1000. The highest possible score is 1250.
1121 to 1250: Excellent
This is the highest Experian band. It may show that you have managed credit well.
An Excellent score does not guarantee that you will get credit. A lender will still carry out its own checks.
1001 to 1120: Very Good
A Very Good score may give you access to more credit products. The rates and terms offered will depend on the lender.
861 to 1000: Good
Experian classes a score from 861 to 1000 as Good. You may have access to a range of credit products.
Acceptance will still depend on the lender and your circumstances.
641 to 860: Fair
A Fair score may give you fewer credit options. You may also be offered different rates or terms.
0 to 640: Low
This is the lowest Experian band. Some types of credit may be harder to get.
A Low score does not mean that every lender will refuse your application. Experian explains how each band works on its credit score range page.
Equifax credit score bands
The Equifax credit score range is 0 to 1000. A Good Equifax score is between 531 and 670. The highest possible score is 1000.
811 to 1000: Excellent
This is the highest Equifax band. It may show that you have managed credit well.
An Excellent score does not guarantee that a lender will accept you.
671 to 810: Very Good
A score in this band may be a positive sign. The lender will still check your application and credit report.
531 to 670: Good
Equifax classes a score from 531 to 670 as Good. Your options will still depend on the lender.
439 to 530: Fair
A Fair score may mean that you have fewer credit options. Rates and terms can also vary between lenders.
0 to 438: Poor
This is the lowest Equifax band. Some forms of credit may be harder to get.
This may be the case if your report shows missed payments, defaults or other credit problems. Equifax provides more detail about how its credit score ranges work.
TransUnion credit score range
The UK TransUnion credit score runs from 0 to 710. You can view it through services that use TransUnion data.
The band shown with your score may depend on the service you use. This means different services may use different labels.
Your TransUnion score can help you understand your credit report. However, a lender may use its own score and lending rules. The official TransUnion credit score FAQs explain the UK scoring system.
What is considered a good credit score?
A score in a Good, Very Good or Excellent band may be seen as a good credit score.
The score needed for each band is different with each credit reference agency.
A good score does not mean that every lender will accept you. Our guide to how lenders use your credit information explains the other details that may form part of a lending decision.
What is an excellent credit score?
An excellent credit score sits in the highest band used by an agency:
- Experian: 1121 to 1250
- Equifax: 811 to 1000
- TransUnion: the band depends on the service showing your score
An Excellent score can be a positive sign. It does not guarantee acceptance or a certain interest rate.
What is the best credit score you can get?
The best score depends on the credit reference agency.
- The highest Experian score is 1250.
- The highest Equifax score is 1000.
- The highest TransUnion score is 710.
You do not need the highest possible score to get credit. A lender will look at more than the score alone.
What is the average credit score in the UK?
There is no single average credit score for the UK. Each credit reference agency uses a different scoring system.
The agencies may also hold different details about you. This is because lenders do not always report to all three agencies.
Published average scores may also use different dates and methods. It is often more useful to check the band linked to your own score.
What is a normal credit score?
There is no official normal credit score in the UK. Scores vary between people and between agencies.
A Fair or Good score may sit near the middle of an agency’s range. However, lenders may use different bands and rules.
Why are my credit scores different?
Your scores may differ because each agency uses its own scoring method.
The agencies may also hold different details about your accounts and payments.
Your scores may update at different times too. This can happen when new information is added to one report before another.
It can help to check all three reports before you apply for credit.
Do I have a bad, fair or good credit score?
Your score band can help you understand your current credit position. However, there is no single score that proves you have good or bad credit.
Missed payments, defaults and County Court Judgments may affect your score. A limited credit history may also result in a lower or Fair score.
If your score is low, our guide explains what a bad credit score may mean. If it sits within the middle range, you may wish to consider fair credit car finance.
Past credit problems do not always stop you from applying for car finance. Go Car Credit may consider people who have experienced:
We assess every application on its own details. Any offer is subject to status and affordability.
What credit score is needed for car finance?
There is no single credit score that guarantees car finance.
Each lender uses its own checks and rules. They may look at more than the score shown by a credit reference agency.
Go Car Credit checks each application on its own details. Our guide to what credit score may be needed for car finance explains how scores can form part of the application process.
Can I get car finance with a low credit score?
You may still be able to apply for car finance with a low credit score. You may also apply if you have little credit history or past credit problems.
The outcome will depend on your situation, your credit report and the lender’s rules.
Go Car Credit is a direct lender offering car finance for people who may have experienced bad credit. We make our own lending decisions rather than sending applications to a panel of lenders.
Our hire purchase car finance is available through approved car dealers. You make fixed monthly payments over an agreed term. You own the car after all required payments have been made.
The steps involved are explained in our guide to how car finance works and our overview of the car finance approval process.
Can benefits count as income for car finance?
Some benefits may count as income.
Pay from work or a pension may also count.
This will depend on your own needs and income. Our car finance on benefits page explains what we may accept.
We check each application on its own. Any offer is subject to status and affordability.
Does a good credit score guarantee approval?
No. A Good or Excellent score does not guarantee that you will get credit.
Your score is only based on the information held by one credit reference agency.
A lender may also check:
- your credit report
- your past payment history
- your current credit commitments
- your income
- the amount of credit you want
- the details in your application
- its own lending rules
This means two lenders may make different decisions about the same person.
Will checking my credit score affect it?
Checking your own credit score or report will not harm your credit history.
It does not leave an application search that other lenders can see.
Some lenders start with a soft or quotation search. This does not usually affect your credit score.
A hard search may be recorded when you make a full credit application or take out a credit agreement.
Our guide to hard and soft credit checks explains the difference between them.
How to access your credit report
You can check the information held by Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Checking all three reports can give you a wider view of your credit history.
Some services give free access to your score and report. Other services charge for extra monitoring tools.
You can also ask for a statutory credit report without paying for a monthly service. MoneyHelper explains how to check each credit report for free.
What is a statutory credit report?
A statutory credit report shows the credit details held about you.
It may show:
- credit accounts in your name
- payments you have made
- credit searches
- financial links to other people
- your electoral register details
- public records, such as County Court Judgments
You can use the report to check that your details are correct. Each agency may show different information.
Check your credit report before applying
Checking your report can help you find wrong or unfamiliar information.
If you find an error, you can ask the credit reference agency to look into it. You may also need to contact the company that supplied the information.
Our information about reviewing your credit profile can help you check the details held about you. You can also find steps that may help in our guide to improving your credit score.
Applying for car finance with Go Car Credit
Go Car Credit is a direct lender. We offer hire purchase car finance.
You may still be able to apply if you have had credit problems. We may also consider some income from benefits.
You do not need a set credit score to apply. No score can guarantee that you will be accepted.
We look at each application on its own. Any offer is subject to status and affordability.
Our car finance eligibility checker can help you check our main rules before you apply for car finance online.
Our credit explained resources cover credit scores, reports and searches.
