Get your credit score for free

The three main Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – have different scales to measure credit scores. For example; 700 may be considered poor by one CRA but excellent by another. 

You can get a free, independent score from each credit reference agency which tells you the band you’re in.

There’s no universal minimum credit score needed to get things like a loan or mortgage as different providers have different lending criteria. But your credit rating must be considered good enough by your provider.

Because there are three main Credit Reference Agencies in the UK, there are three overall averages: 

TransUnion score between 0-710. The overall UK average is 573

Experian score between 0-999. The overall UK average is 797

Equifax score between 0-1000. The overall UK average is 585

No. You can check your score as many times as you like and it won’t affect your rating.

There isn’t a specific credit score that you need for a mortgage, but the higher your score the more likely your application will be accepted.

This is because having a higher score makes you a lower risk, and suggests that you are more likely to be able to keep up with the repayments.

Find out more on our Credit score for a mortgage page

The most common reason for not completing the sign up process is that the details you entered don't match what TransUnion has on their file. 

Please make sure to enter your name, date of birth, and address exactly how these details would appear on a bank statement. For example, use your full name instead of a shortened version. 

Large, unexplained changes in your score could be an indication of fraud. Keeping an eye on your score is a great way to keep on top of your financial health.

Visit our security centre to learn what to look out for and how to protect yourself from fraud.