How UK Credit Scores Operate (Experian vs. Equifax vs. TransUnion)
- UKCreditBuilder
- Dec 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Lenders evaluate applications for loans, credit cards, mortgages, and even mobile phone contracts mostly based on credit scores. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are the three primary credit reference agencies (CRAs) in the UK that provide credit ratings rather than banks or the government.
You can make better financial decisions if you know how these credit ratings operate and why they vary.
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: 0–999 Higher 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: 0–1,000 Higher 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: 0–710 Higher 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.
To improve your Credit score, check out the products available with the link below:
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