Boosting a low credit score rarely happens overnight. Quick wins—such as registering to vote—might lift your score a little, but lasting progress comes from steady habits that show you manage money responsibly. This guide sets out realistic time-frames, explains the steps you could take, and shows how Go Car Credit may help you build a stronger credit record while arranging affordable car finance.
Everything is written in plain English. You will find practical tips, common mistakes to avoid and what results you might expect over the next few weeks, months and years.
If previous financial setbacks have hurt your score, remember that credit files update every month. Each on-time payment you make from now on could open up new options sooner than you expect.
1. What is a credit score?
Your credit score is a single number—usually between 0–1,000 or 0–999 depending on the credit-reference agency (CRA)—that signals how likely you are to repay money you borrow. Although each CRA has its own scale, they all rely on similar building blocks:
- Payment history – whether you pay on time or miss payments.
- Credit use – the share of your credit limit you use. Lower utilisation is generally viewed more positively.
- Length of credit history – older accounts may carry more weight.
- Credit mix – a blend of instalment credit (e.g. car finance) and revolving credit (e.g. credit cards).
- Recent credit applications – clusters of hard searches may pull your score down.
To see typical score ranges, visit our guide to good credit scores. One late payment is unlikely to ruin your file, but several missed bills might worry lenders. Positive data added each month could soon outweigh old setbacks.
2. Why improve your credit score?
A stronger score could:
- Lower borrowing costs. The Financial Conduct Authority (2023) notes lenders may price credit based on perceived risk.
- Unlock more approvals. Mortgage providers, phone networks and some employers review scores before saying yes.
- Reduce insurance premiums. Insurers sometimes offer cheaper cover to lower-risk customers.
- Simplify renting. Many landlords and agents check scores before granting a tenancy.
If you have County Court Judgments (CCJs), defaults or gaps in employment, lenders usually focus on recent behaviour. A run of on-time payments could tip decisions your way. Our credit-repair checklist outlines each step. MoneyHelper offers an impartial view in its guide to improving your credit score.
3. How to check your score for free
You can view your report at no cost via these UK services:
| CRA | Free service | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| Experian | MSE Credit Club | Every 30 days |
| Equifax | ClearScore | Weekly |
| TransUnion | Credit Karma | Weekly |
The Information Commissioner’s Office (2024) explains that you have the right to dispute errors; the CRA must investigate and correct genuine mistakes.
4. How long may it take?
Typical time-frames (your results may differ):
| Action | Likely time to see change* |
|---|---|
| Register on the electoral roll | ≈ 1 month |
| Fix an error | 1–2 months |
| Cut credit-card use below 30 % | 1–2 statements |
| Six on-time payments | 3–6 months |
| Close an unused, fee-bearing account | 3–6 months |
| 12-month spotless run | 12–18 months |
* Agencies update at different speeds. You may register to vote at gov.uk. Missed payments restart the clock; steady, on-time payments usually move it forward.
5. How an IVA may affect progress
The MoneyHelper guide on IVAs (accessed July 2025) notes an IVA stays on your file for six years from the start date and usually limits new borrowing above £500 without the supervisor’s approval.
- After completion: once shown as “completed”, an IVA may look more positive, though some lenders will request your completion certificate.
- Rebuild timing: many people begin seeing improvements 12–18 months after satisfaction, provided other accounts are in order.
- Next steps: keep balances low, pay on time, and when allowed, add small, affordable credit such as a SIM-only phone plan. Vehicle options are explained on our bad credit car finance page.
6. How a CCJ may affect progress
Citizens Advice confirms a County Court Judgment stays on your file for six years.
- Pay within 30 days: settling in full within one month may lead to complete removal.
- Settle later: it still shows but as “satisfied”, which some lenders may view more favourably.
- Early years: mainstream lenders often say no, yet specialists such as Go Car Credit assess the broader picture.
- Rebuild timing: after about three years of positive behaviour, many lenders give more weight to recent history than the old CCJ.
- Next steps: avoid further missed payments and add new credit cautiously. See our CCJ car-finance guide for details.
You may search the public CCJ register at TrustOnline.
7. Simple steps that could lift your score
- Pay on time: Direct Debits reduce missed bills.
- Borrow less of each limit: aim to keep balances under 30 %.
- Space out applications: leave at least three months between hard searches.
- Add positive data: consider a credit-builder card or rent-reporting scheme.
- Monitor for fraud: free alerts from ClearScore Credit Monitor or Credit Karma monitoring.
- Plan affordability: check figures with our car-finance calculator.
Credit repair often works like compound interest: small gains build up. Low balances, punctual payments and cautious applications may help your score rise steadily.
8. How Go Car Credit could help
Car finance gives you more than transport: if managed well, it might add a consistent line of positive data to your file. Go Car Credit focuses on borrowers with imperfect histories and aims to keep agreements clear and manageable:
- Repayments reported monthly: punctual instalments are shared with all three CRAs.
- Fixed, transparent costs: rates are agreed up front – no hidden fees.
- Flexible term lengths: repayment periods may be chosen to suit different budgets.
- Soft-search eligibility check: see whether you might qualify, without leaving a footprint, via our quick application.
- Customer support: our team could guide you through the process and share score-building tips.
Key points
- Steady habits trump quick fixes – six to twelve months of punctual payments and low balances usually matter most.
- Check all three credit files; correcting one error might add dozens of points.
- IVAs and CCJs stay on file for six years, yet disciplined behaviour may soften their impact long before they disappear.
- Responsible car finance from Go Car Credit could add a helpful repayment history while keeping you mobile.
Ready to start? Apply online in minutes with no impact on your credit score.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances or seek independent help before taking out credit.
