How to improve a credit score

Credit scores are key to getting credit so it pays to keep yours in good shape. Credit scores are all about how good you are at managing money and, generally, the better your credit score, the better the credit you are likely to be offered.

A man looking at his credit score which is 608.

How do you improve a credit score?

01

Get hold of a copy of your credit file and check your details. If you find any mistakes you are entitled to have them corrected.

02

Make sure you are registered on the electoral roll (registered to vote) at your current address.

03

Pay all your bills on time and in full each month. Lenders are looking for a strong track record of paying bills on time so this is not a quick fix but it is key to having a good credit score. Paying by direct debit can help ensure payments do not get missed.

04

Don't be tempted to 'max out' your credit limits. Lenders do want to see credit being used sensibly so having some credit actually helps (it shows you can handle credit successfully) but just because you have available credit does not mean you have to use all of it. Using too much of your available credit is likely to reduce your credit score whereas having unused credit is likely to improve it.

How do I know whether my credit score is good or bad?

You can check your credit score via a credit reference agency (CRA) such as Experian, Equifax or TransUnion and that should not impact your credit score.

Each CRA calculates credit scores differently so you need to check with the CRA providing your credit score what that score means.

You can check your credit score via a credit reference agency (CRA) such as Experian, Equifax or TransUnion and that should not impact your credit score.

Each CRA calculates credit scores differently so you need to check with the CRA providing your credit score what that score means.

You can check your credit score via a credit reference agency (CRA) such as Experian, Equifax or TransUnion and that should not impact your credit score.

Each CRA calculates credit scores differently so you need to check with the CRA providing your credit score what that score means.

Does checking a credit score lower it?

Checking your own credit score should not have any impact on it.

Normally, getting quotes for credit (such as when you apply to Oodle) will not affect your credit score – usually it is only full applications that are recorded.

Making several full applications in a short space of time can have a negative impact on your credit score..

Checking your own credit score should not have any impact on it.

Normally, getting quotes for credit (such as when you apply to Oodle) will not affect your credit score – usually it is only full applications that are recorded.

Making several full applications in a short space of time can have a negative impact on your credit score..

Checking your own credit score should not have any impact on it.

Normally, getting quotes for credit (such as when you apply to Oodle) will not affect your credit score – usually it is only full applications that are recorded.

Making several full applications in a short space of time can have a negative impact on your credit score..