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How Credit Scores Work in the UK (Experian vs Equifax vs TransUnion)

Credit scores play a major role in how lenders assess applications for loans, credit cards, mortgages, and even mobile phone contracts. In the UK, credit scores are not issued by banks or the government, but by three main credit reference agencies (CRAs): Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.


Understanding how these credit scores work — and why they differ — can help you make better financial decisions.


What Is a Credit Score?


A credit score is a numerical summary of how you manage credit. It is based on information in your credit report, including:

  • Payment history

  • Credit usage

  • Length of credit history

  • Types of credit used

  • Recent applications for credit


Lenders use this information to assess risk, but they do not rely on the score alone.


The Three Credit Reference Agencies in the UK


1️⃣ Experian

Score range: 0–999Higher is better

Experian is the largest UK credit reference agency and is widely used by banks, credit card providers, and lenders.

Experian places strong emphasis on:

  • Payment history

  • Credit utilisation

  • Stability (length of time at address and with accounts)

Experian scores are often accessed via:

  • Experian (free & paid services)

  • MoneySavingExpert Credit Club


2️⃣ Equifax

Score range: 0–1,000Higher is better

Equifax also provides credit data to many UK lenders. While similar to Experian, its scoring model weights factors slightly differently.

Equifax tends to focus on:

  • Missed or late payments

  • Credit limits vs balances

  • Public record data (e.g. CCJs)

Equifax scores are commonly viewed through:

  • ClearScore

  • Equifax’s own platform


3️⃣ TransUnion

Score range: 0–710Higher is better

TransUnion is the newest of the three but is widely used, especially by online lenders and credit card providers.

TransUnion places emphasis on:

  • Recent account behaviour

  • Credit application activity

  • Credit utilisation trends

You can access TransUnion data via:

  • Credit Karma

  • TotallyMoney


Why Your Credit Score Is Different Across Agencies


It’s normal for your credit score to differ between Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion because:

  • Lenders don’t report to all agencies

  • Each agency has its own scoring system

  • Data may update at different times

This does not mean one score is wrong.


Which Credit Score Do Lenders Use?


There is no single answer.

  • Some lenders use Experian

  • Others use Equifax or TransUnion

  • Many lenders use their own internal scoring systems

Your credit report data matters more than the number itself.


What Actually Affects Your Credit Score?


Across all agencies, the key factors are broadly similar:


✔ Payment History

Paying on time is the most important factor.


✔ Credit Utilisation

Using too much of your available credit can lower your score.


✔ Length of Credit History

Older, well-managed accounts help.


✔ Credit Mix

A combination of credit types can be positive.


✔ Recent Applications

Too many applications in a short time can hurt your score temporarily.


Checking Your Credit Score Safely


Checking your own credit score:

  • Uses a soft search

  • Does not affect your credit

  • Can be done as often as you like

It’s often recommended to check more than one agency to see a full picture.


How to Improve Your Credit Score Across All Agencies


To improve your score consistently:

  • Pay all bills on time

  • Keep balances low

  • Avoid unnecessary credit applications

  • Check for and correct errors

  • Use credit regularly but responsibly

Improvements take time, but positive behaviour compounds.


Credit Score vs Credit Report: What’s More Important?


Your credit report is more important than the score itself. The score is just a summary; lenders look at:

  • Missed payments

  • Defaults

  • CCJs

  • Account conduct

A high score with negative markers can still lead to rejection.


Final Thoughts


Credit scores in the UK work differently depending on whether you’re looking at Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion, but the principles behind them are the same. There is no “perfect” score and no single number that guarantees approval.


The best approach is to understand your credit report, manage credit responsibly, and track progress over time using more than one credit reference agency.


For an independent comparison of types of FCA regulated short term loans, check out the link below.

 
 
 

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