What is a credit score? | ClearScore GB (2024)

We explain how credit reference agencies work out your credit score.

16 January 2024Jade Harvey 3 min read

What is a credit score? | ClearScore GB (1)

In this article

  • How your credit score is worked out
  • How lenders decide to give you credit
  • Be clear about your credit score

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Your credit score is now out of 1000. Here's what that means for you.

Since we launched in 2015, we’ve measured your score out of 700. Now, we’ve brought our scale in line with Equifax’s score out of 1000, to give you a more detailed picture of your credit history.

Your credit score is a number that represents your credit history – it gives you an idea of how lenders see your past relationship with credit. The higher your score, the surer lenders feel that you’ll repay what they lend you.

Credit reference agencies use your credit history to work out your credit score. There are three in the UK – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

We’re not a credit reference agency, but we do give you your credit score and report for free using data from Equifax.

How your credit score is worked out

To work out your credit score, credit reference agencies mainly look at these five things.

1. Payment history

A lender’s top priority is to make sure you repay your debt on time. The best way for them to predict this is by looking at how you’ve handled credit in the past.

The best way to build a good payment history is by consistently making repayments on time. That’s why taking out credit can be a good thing, as it lets you build up your payment history and show that you can be trusted to repay credit.

It’s a common misconception that having no credit cards or loans will protect your credit score, but that’s not the case. This doesn’t show a lender that they can trust you to repay credit.

2. Used credit vs available credit

Lenders also look at how much of your available credit you’re using. This is often expressed as a percentage of your credit limit. For example, imagine you have a credit card with a limit of £500 and your balance is £250, you’re only using 50% of your available credit. This makes you look more trustworthy to lenders.

3. Length of your credit history

The longer you’ve been using credit, the more information a lender has to decide how creditworthy you are. So if you’ve had a credit account for a while, you might see your credit score rise, especially if you’ve made all of your payments in full and on time.

4. Hard credit searches

Applying for new credit or to increase your credit limit usually has a negative affect on your credit score, but there are some exceptions.

If you’re using comparison sites to shop for types of credit, only one search will show up on your credit score, as long as you compare products from different lenders within a 45-day period.

A hard credit search will affect your score even if you decide not to go ahead with the card or loan and will stay on your report for up to 24 months.

The following things use soft credit searches, which don’t affect your credit score at all.

  • Personal credit checks
  • Pre-approved credit offers
  • Insurance applications
  • Checking your credit offers
  • Account reviews by current creditors
  • Employment applications

5. Types of credit you use

Using a range of credit types, such as revolving credit (credit cards) and instalment loans (mortgages and personal loans), can increase your credit score. Lenders like to see that you can handle several forms of credit at once.

How lenders decide to give you credit

When you apply for credit the lender has to decide if you’re a safe bet. And your credit score isn’t the only thing they look at – they also take into account your income and spending.

A lender can look at your score and report from one or all agencies to gather enough information to make their decision.

Every lender is unique – some value certain things more than others. So if you’re declined credit by one lender, you could still be approved by another.

Be clear about your credit score

Don’t know your credit score? Join 19 million others who’ve taken control of their finances.

We’ll tell you what’s affecting your credit score in your weekly credit reports, and give you personalised tips on how to improve or maintain your score. Because a better score means better deals, which could save you money.Get your credit score and report today, for free, forever.

What is a credit score? | ClearScore GB (2)

Written by Jade Harvey

Copywriter

Having worked as a financial copywriter for the past several years, Jade is dedicated to helping you feel clear, calm and confident about your credit choices.

What is a credit score? | ClearScore GB (2024)

FAQs

What is a credit score? | ClearScore GB? ›

Your credit score is a number that represents your credit history – it gives you an idea of how lenders see your past relationship with credit. The higher your score, the surer lenders feel that you'll repay what they lend you. Credit reference agencies use your credit history to work out your credit score.

What is a credit score answers? ›

A credit score is a three-digit number, typically between 300 and 850, designed to represent your credit risk, or the likelihood you will pay your bills on time.

What is a sufficient credit score? ›

Although ranges vary depending on the credit scoring model, generally credit scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair; 670 to 739 are considered good; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and up are considered excellent.

How much credit score is good enough? ›

CIBIL Score range
CIBIL ScoreCreditworthinessApproval Probability
600-649DoubtfulDifficult
650-699Satisfactory or fairPossible
700-749GoodGood
750-900ExcellentVery high
1 more row

What is a good credit score for clear score? ›

What is a good ClearScore credit score? To fall in the Good range you need a credit score between 531 and 670. A strong credit score is beneficial as it enables you to get credit on better terms.

How much can I borrow with a 700 credit score? ›

You can borrow from $1,000 to $100,000 or more with a 700 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.

Is a 900 credit score possible? ›

Highlights: While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

What is the poorest credit score? ›

VantageScore credit scores
  • Very Poor: 300-499.
  • Poor: 500-600.
  • Fair: 601-660.
  • Good: 661-780.
  • Excellent: 781-850.
Feb 27, 2024

What is a realistic credit score? ›

For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2022, the average FICO® Score in the U.S. reached 714.

What's the lowest credit score? ›

The lowest score you can get with either model is 300, though past scoring models have gone lower (and aren't used so much today). According to FICO, an estimated 11.1% of Americans have a FICO score ranging between 300 and 549 as of 2019.

What credit score is needed to buy a car? ›

The credit score required and other eligibility factors for buying a car vary by lender and loan terms. Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian.

Which credit score do banks use? ›

Banks in India use the TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, or the CRIF High Mark score. Out of these, the TransUnion CIBIL score is the one that is used most commonly. All credit rating bureaus generate credit scores and reports which help lenders assess the creditworthiness of borrowers.

What credit score do you start with? ›

Instead of starting from the bottom, you'll actually start with no credit score instead — and that's not as bad as you might think.

What is a good credit score to buy a house? ›

Generally speaking, you'll likely need a score of at least 620 — what's classified as a “fair” rating — to qualify with most lenders. With a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan, though, you might be able to get approved with a score as low as 500.

Can I buy a car with a 641 credit score? ›

Generally speaking, banks require a minimum credit score of 600 to give an auto loan without any down payment. However, you CAN buy a car with a score of 400 or a score of 850.

How to fix a bad credit score? ›

How to improve your credit score
  1. Check your credit report for errors. ...
  2. Prioritize paying on time. ...
  3. Work to pay down your debts. ...
  4. Become an authorized user. ...
  5. Request a credit line increase. ...
  6. Handle debt in collections. ...
  7. Consider opening a secured card. ...
  8. Get credit for other payments.
6 days ago

What is credit score in simple words? ›

The credit score definition refers to a numerical measurement that is used to determine how well one manages their finances. Credit scores are used by lenders to determine whether applicants are able to repay the proposed borrowed amount.

What is a credit score quizlet? ›

Credit Score. - a numerical rating based on credit report information; represents a person's level of credit worthiness; heavily influences your approval for bank loans and credit cards.

What is a credit score for dummies? ›

A credit score is a three-digit number that represents your creditworthiness. The most common type of credit score is a FICO Score, and scores range from 300 to 850. The higher the credit score, the better. (Read more about how to check your credit score for free.)

What is the best definition of a credit score in EverFi? ›

-A numerical rating of your credit-worthiness (how likely you are to pay off your debts).

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