✅ Checking your own credit score is completely safe and won't damage it. This is called a "soft search" and has zero impact on your credit rating, even if you check it regularly.
Ever wondered "is it bad to check your credit score?". You're not alone. This is one of the most common questions people new to the UK ask about credit. It’s a tricky topic to understand, and there are many myths about how credit scores work in the UK.
At our recent Money Matters event with Kia Commodore, founder of Pennies to Pounds, we looked at the facts and misconceptions around credit scoring. So if you’re new to the UK, or just want to learn more about how credit scores work, check out our summary below.
What is a credit score?
A credit score is a number between 0-1000 (depending on the agency) that shows lenders how likely you are to pay back money you borrow.
How credit scores work in the UK is different from other countries. Your credit history is based solely on your UK activity. So if you move from abroad, you’re essentially starting. This means even if you had excellent credit elsewhere, you'll need to build UK credit history from scratch.
Credit reference agencies collect information about your financial behaviour from banks, lenders, and other companies you have credit agreements with. This data is used to calculate how likely you are to fulfill any new credit agreements. They then give it a score – this is your credit score.
The higher your score, the more likely you are to get approved for a credit product, or to get a better price.
Now you’ve got a basic introduction, let’s look at some of the myths around credit scores.
Does checking your credit score lower it?
No, checking your credit score does not damage it because it's classified as a 'soft search'.
You can check your credit score as many times as you want without any negative impact whatsoever.
That’s because there are two types of credit searches – soft and hard.
What’s the difference between soft and hard credit search?
A soft credit search gives a high level view of your credit history. It won’t be seen by companies and doesn’t affect your credit score. A hard credit search is a full review of your credit history. It will be logged on your credit file and can have an impact on your score.
Soft searches are used when:
- You check your own score
- Providers do initial checks for quotes or pre-approved offers
Hard searches are used when:
- You apply for credit and the lender needs to do a full credit check before making a decision (e.g. credit card, mortgage, loan)
- You accept an offer that has been given using a soft search
A hard search won’t always be too harmful to your credit score. But lots of failed applications for credit in quick succession can be a warning sign for lenders.
Soft vs Hard Credit Check Comparison
Soft Searches
- No impact on credit score
- Invisible to other lenders
- Pre-approval checks
- Insurance quotes
- Can check daily
Hard Searches
- Small temporary impact on score
- Visible to lenders for 12 months
- Mortgage/loan applications
- Credit card applications
- Checks done when applying for products.
Can I check my credit score regularly?
Absolutely. Soft checks are completely safe and won't hurt your score in any way. It’s important to check your credit score for any errors or missing information.
Credit scores typically update every few weeks, so checking once a week or month is a good idea. You can also sign up to services that will email you when your score changes.
Will a low credit score always mean rejection?
No, a low credit score doesn't guarantee rejection because lenders look at multiple factors beyond your score.
While credit scores are important, they're just one piece of the puzzle that lenders consider. They also look at:
- Your income: Can you afford the monthly payments?
- Employment stability: Do you have steady employment?
- Address history: How long have you lived at your current address?
- Existing commitments: What other debts or expenses do you have?
- Deposit or down payment: Are you putting money down upfront?
Different lenders also have different criteria. What one lender rejects, another might approve. Remember, everyone's credit journey is different, and a low score today doesn't define your financial future.
As Kia points out "Having a low credit score doesn't mean you can't get any money on credit. It just might mean that borrowing money will actually become a bit more expensive than if your credit score was slightly higher.”
At Marshmallow, we specialise in helping those new to the UK. So if you don’t have a UK credit history yet, we can save you money on your car insurance.
Is it ok to check just one credit score agency?
No, you should check all three agencies because scores often differ between them.
You don't have just one credit score – you have three, and they can vary. Checking only one agency gives you an incomplete picture of your credit health.
Why do scores differ between agencies? Each company may have different information about you. They also use different scoring models.
For example, if you have a mobile phone contract that only reports to Experian, your Experian score might be higher than your Equifax or TransUnion scores. Or if there's an error on one report but not the others, you'll see a difference in scores.
"It is very crucial as part of your habit to check your credit score on each platform, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, at least once a year” says Kia. “Because when you apply for credit, you don't know which agency the lender will get your information from."
5 ways to check your credit score for free:
- Experian: Create a free account directly with Experian
- Equifax: Sign up for a free Equifax account
- TransUnion: Access your free TransUnion report
- Credit Karma: Provides free TransUnion scores
- MSE Credit Club: Offers free Experian scores through Money Saving Expert
Checking all three scores gives you the complete picture. It helps you spot differences and make sure you're not missing important information. It also gives you a better understanding of how different lenders might view your credit history.
No cost. No impact to your credit rating. So nothing to worry about.
Do missed payments matter if you catch up?
Yes. Missed payments can have a negative impact on your credit score that lasts for several years, even if you catch up on repayments later.
Payment history is the most important factor affecting your credit score, typically accounting for about 35% of the calculation. Missing payments will hurt your score, and will stay on your file for up to 6 years.
Here's what happens with missed payments in the UK:
Timeline: Missed payments typically show up on your credit report within 30-60 days of the missed due date.
Duration: Missed payments stay on your credit file for 6 years from the date they occurred. However, their impact on your score decreases over time, especially if you keep paying on time.
Impact: The size of the impact depends on how late the payment was. A payment that's 30 days late has less impact than one that's 90 days late. Multiple missed payments cause more damage than a single missed payment.
Recovery: You can start rebuilding immediately. The sooner you get back on track with consistent, on-time payments, the sooner you'll see improvements in your score.
Steps to recover from missed payments:
- Catch up immediately: Pay any outstanding amounts as soon as possible
- Contact your lender: Explain your situation – they may be willing to help
- Set up direct debits: Automate future payments to avoid missing due dates
- Focus on consistency: Build a strong pattern of on-time payments going forward
- Be patient: Credit score recovery takes time, but consistent good behaviour will pay off
Remember, lenders understand that life happens. A single missed payment, especially if followed by consistent on-time payments, won't define your creditworthiness forever. The key is learning from the experience and building better habits.
Can you build credit without a credit card?
Yes, you don't need a credit card because there are many ways to build credit history.
Many people new to the UK think credit cards are the only product that can build a UK credit history. The good news is that there are many different ways you can build your financial footprint.
Alternative ways to build UK credit history:
Mobile phone contracts: Monthly phone contracts are one of the easiest ways to start building your credit history.
Utility bills: Some energy suppliers report payment information to credit agencies. Setting up gas, electricity, and water bills in your name and paying them consistently can help build credit.
Rent payments: Some services like Credit Ladder or Rental Exchange record your rent payments with credit agencies. Paying on time each month can significantly boost your credit history.
Bank account: Having a UK bank account and using a debit card regularly will build a picture of your financial activity. This can help make lenders more comfortable in lending to you.
Electoral roll registration: While not a credit product, registering to vote at your current address is crucial for your credit score. If you’re not a UK citizen, some migrants can still qualify to vote. Check the Electoral Commission for more details.
How long does it take to build credit in the UK?
By following the above steps, you'll typically see initial improvements on your credit score within 3-6 months. However, building a strong credit score usually takes 12+ months of good behaviour.
For UK newcomers, being a good repayer and positive habits across different products will help build your credit score faster.
What can affect your credit score?
Your credit score in the UK is influenced by many factors. Some of the most important are:
- Payment history: Your track record of paying bills and credit commitments on time
- Credit utilisation: How much of your available credit you're using
- Length of credit history: How long you've had credit accounts open
- Types of credit: The mix of different credit products you have
- New credit applications: How frequently you apply for credit
UK-specific factors that matter:
Address history: Stability matters to UK lenders. The longer you've lived at your current address, the better.
UK residency length: How long you've been in the UK affects your creditworthiness. This is why newcomers often start with limited credit options and need to build their history over time.
Bank account history: Having a UK bank account, especially a current account with a debit card, helps establish your UK financial footprint.
Financial associations: If you have joint accounts or mortgages with someone else, their credit behaviour can affect your score through "financial association."
Many of these factors can only be improved over time. But understanding them today can help you know what to aim for when improving your credit score.
Check out our 7 tips to improve your credit score.
What should I do after checking my credit score?
Once you know your credit score, the next steps depend on what you find. Here's your action plan:
If your score is good or excellent:
- Keep doing what you're doing with payments and credit management
- Monitor your score regularly to maintain it
- Look for any errors on your reports and dispute them
- Consider optimising your credit utilisation (aim for under 30% of available limits)
If your score needs improvement:
- Check all three credit reports for errors and dispute any mistakes
- Register on the electoral roll if you can
- Set up direct debits for all bills to ensure on-time payments
- Reduce credit card balances to lower your utilisation ratio
- Avoid making multiple credit applications in short periods
Setting up credit alerts: Most free credit services offer alerts when your score changes significantly or when new accounts appear on your report. These alerts help you spot potential fraud and track your progress.
Building credit as a UK newcomer:
- Open a UK bank account and use your debit card rather than cash
- Set up utility bills in your name
- Get a UK mobile phone contract
- Consider a credit-builder card if needed, but use it responsibly
Remember, building credit is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on consistent, responsible financial behaviour rather than looking for quick fixes.
How Marshmallow can help
At Marshmallow, our mission is to help people who are new to the UK. We look beyond your credit score to give you a fairer price and the service you deserve. See how we can help you save money on your car insurance today.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check my credit score? You can check your credit score as often as you like – it won't hurt your score. Monthly checks are ideal for staying on top of changes and spotting any issues quickly.
Can I check my credit score every day? Yes, daily checks are completely safe and won't damage your credit rating. However, scores typically update every 4-6 weeks, so daily monitoring won't show much change.
Is it safe to check my credit score online? Yes, it's completely safe to check your credit score online through the official websites of Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, or through authorised partners like Pillar and MSE Credit Club.
How long does it take to build credit in the UK? You'll typically see initial impacts within 3-6 months of establishing good credit behaviour. Building a strong credit score usually takes 12+ months of consistent on-time payments and good finance habits.
Will getting a car loan affect my credit score? Initially, the application will cause a small, temporary dip from the hard credit check. However, if you make all payments on time, a car loan can have a positive long-term impact on your credit score by adding to your payment history and credit mix.
Can I check my credit score for free? Yes, all three major credit agencies offer free accounts that let you check your score and basic report information. You're also entitled to a statutory free credit report once per year from each agency.
Conclusion
Checking your credit score is not only safe – it's one of the smartest financial habits you can develop. Regular monitoring helps you understand your credit health, spot errors or fraud quickly, and track your progress as you build your UK credit history.
The key takeaways:
- Checking your credit score won’t hurt your rating
- A low credit score doesn’t mean automatic rejection
- Check your score with the 3 major credit agencies
- A credit card isn’t the only way to build your credit history, other products will do it too
- Focus on consistent on-time payments, late payments will damage your credit score
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