Credit score myths debunked (UK)
Where a link is marked * or labelled Ad, it is a partner advertisement: we receive commission at no extra cost to you. Links without a * or Ad label earn us nothing. How we make money.
Quick answer: Checking your own score does not harm it. There is no universal UK credit score — each lender scores differently. Closing old accounts can shorten your history and hurt, not help.
Credit myths cause expensive mistakes — avoiding all borrowing, paying for unnecessary 'repair' services, or chasing a single magic number. UK credit files hold six years of data; scores are lender-specific models built on that data.
Skip this if: Skip this page if you need a personal recommendation or a live quote. This is general UK information — confirm today's figures with the official source linked below.
Last reviewed:
Read the full credit cards & loans guide →How credit scoring works →Primary source: www.gov.uk/consumer-protection-rights/credit
Common myths
Myth: a high income guarantees approval — lenders care about payment history and affordability, not salary alone.
Myth: checking your score hurts it — personal checks are soft searches.
Myth: you have one credit score — each CRA and each lender uses different models.
Common questions
Should I pay for credit repair?
Legitimate errors can be disputed free with CRAs. No paid service can remove accurate negative markers early.