No, checking your own credit score or credit report does not affect your score. Each time you look, the agency records a soft search, which lenders do not use to judge you.
The worry is easy to understand. When a lender checks your file because you applied for credit, that search does leave a mark. Many people mix the two up and avoid looking at their file at all. That is the riskier choice, because you cannot fix errors you have not seen.
This guide explains the difference between the two types of search and how to check your credit history for free. It also covers what to look for and how mortgage lenders use searches. That helps you plan your application.
Credit report checking: key figures at a glance
The latest figures come from the FCA’s Financial Lives survey, with fieldwork from February to June 2024.
| Figure | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK adults who got their credit report or checked their score | 34% (28% in 2022) | 12 months to May 2024 | FCA Financial Lives 2024 |
| UK adults who knew they could get their report or check their score | 81% | 2024 survey | FCA Financial Lives 2024 |
| People who checked and found an error or issue | 10% (1.8 million adults) | 2024 survey | FCA Financial Lives 2024 |
| People who checked to see if they were eligible for credit | 20% | 12 months to May 2024 | FCA Financial Lives 2024 |
Does checking your own credit report lower your score?
No. A check of your own report or score is a ‘soft search’, and soft searches do not lower your score.
Lloyds Bank says a soft check happens when you look at your own score and report, and that it will not affect your score. Experian says the same, however many times you check.
Only a hard search can count against you. A lender runs one when you apply for credit.
Checking has become common. The FCA’s Financial Lives survey found that 34% of UK adults got their credit report or checked their score in the 12 months to May 2024, up from 28% in 2022. The FCA survey also found that 81% of adults knew in 2024 that they could do this.
Soft searches and hard searches: what is the difference?
A soft search is a look at your file that is not a credit application. A hard search happens when you apply for credit, and other lenders can see it.
| Feature | Soft search | Hard search |
|---|---|---|
| When it happens | You check your own file, or run a quote or eligibility check | You apply for credit, such as a mortgage, loan or card |
| Who sees it | Mainly you | Other lenders |
| Effect on your score | None | Can lower it for at least 12 months |
What is a soft search?
Soft searches are used for quotes, eligibility checks and price comparison sites, according to Lloyds. They do not affect your score, so you can run as many as you need.
Common examples include:
- Checking your own credit report or score
- Using an eligibility checker or comparison site
- Getting a decision in principle from many mortgage lenders
- A company checking your identity
Read more in our guide to soft credit searches.
What is a hard search?
A hard search is a full check of your file when you apply for credit. Lloyds says it can affect your score for at least 12 months. Lenders can see it, and a single search rarely causes a problem.
Several searches in a short time are different. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) says a run of searches can suggest you are struggling to get credit, and that can sway a lender’s decision.
Read more in our guide to hard credit searches.
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Do mortgage lenders use a hard or soft search?
It depends on the stage you are at and the lender.
Yorkshire Building Society says most lenders use a soft search for a decision in principle, but some use a hard one. Ask each lender first.
At the full application stage, lenders usually run a hard search.
For example, say you want a £500,000 mortgage and apply directly to three lenders in one month. Each full application can leave a hard search, so your file would show three in a few weeks. Lenders then see a pattern of applications, and a refusal from one can make the next lender cautious.
Using a broker avoids that. They can check each lender’s approach to searches before you apply and point you to lenders whose criteria you already meet. Your own checks never count as a hard search and do not add to the pile.
How to check credit history free of charge
You can check credit history free of charge by asking for a statutory credit report from any of the three main credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The ICO says the request costs nothing, and you can make it verbally or in writing.
The agency normally has one month to reply, according to the ICO. The ICO also says you do not need a monthly subscription to see your file. Look for the words “statutory report” on each agency’s website.
Equifax says its statutory report is free and that you can see it online after you register. Experian also offers a free statutory report, but its report does not include your credit score.
Checking credit score for free is also possible. Experian and Equifax both run free accounts that show a score. Scores differ between agencies, so compare the same agency month to month and ignore differences between them.
Follow these steps:
- Choose an agency. Lenders use different agencies, and each of your files can hold different details.
- Register for a free account or request the statutory report online or by post.
- Prove who you are. The agency may ask for a bank statement or utility bill.
- Read the whole report, not just the score.
If you plan to apply for a mortgage, it’s a good idea to check all three.
Paid services can combine them in one report. Checkmyfile is one example. It offers a 7-day free trial and then a paid monthly subscription that you can cancel online. Check the price and the cancellation steps before you sign up.
Read more in our credit report guide and our explanation of credit reference agencies.
What to look for in your credit report
Look for anything that is wrong, out of date or unfamiliar.
The FCA survey found that 10% of people who checked their report or score in 2024 spotted an error or issue, which it puts at 1.8 million adults.
Check for:
- Accounts or searches you do not recognise, which can be a sign of fraud
- Wrong names or addresses
- Late payments or defaults that are incorrect or already settled
- Financial associations with people you no longer share money with
- A missing entry on the electoral roll at your current address
If you find a mistake, write to the agency and ask for a correction. Citizens Advice says you can also add a notice of correction to explain your circumstances. It adds that agencies usually keep information on your file for six years.
Read more: Why has my credit score gone down?
How often should you check your credit report?
As often as you like. There is no limit, and your score is never harmed. A sensible routine is to check at least once a year and again a few months before you apply for a mortgage.
That gives you time to fix errors, bring card balances down and let recent searches age. Our guide to applying for a mortgage shows what lenders ask for at each stage.
What can lower your credit score?
Your own financial habits move your score, the biggest damage usually comes from:
- Late or missed payments
- Card balances close to the limit
- Many credit applications in a short time
- Defaults and county court judgments
- Having no credit history at all
A payday loan can also cut the number of mortgage lenders willing to consider you. If your credit score needs work, our guide on how to boost your credit score sets out practical steps.
Next steps before you apply for a mortgage
Checking your own file is safe and sensible. Look at all three reports, fix what you can and avoid unnecessary applications in the months before a mortgage.
If you have a patchy credit file or want help choosing lenders, contact a mortgage broker. Respect Mortgages can introduce you to an independent, whole-of-market broker who can look at your options before you apply anywhere.
Get The UK’S Most Detailed Online Credit Report
- See your data from 3 Credit Reference Agencies, not just 1
- Get an independent view with your checkmyfile Credit Score
- View up to 6 years’ credit history
- Easy to cancel – by Freephone or even online
- A guarantee never to sell your personal data
- Consistently rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot
This is a 7-day free trial, and a recurring £14.99 thereafter unless the subscription is cancelled, which can be cancelled at any-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. When you check your own credit score or report, the agency records a soft search. Soft searches do not affect your score, and lenders do not use them to judge you. Only a hard search, which a lender runs when you apply for credit, can lower it. You can check as often as you like.
No. Lenders run their own searches when you apply, and your own checks do not change what they see. What matters is what sits on your file. Checking early lets you correct errors, settle small debts and avoid a string of hard searches from applying to the wrong lenders.
As often as you like. There is no limit, and no cost to your score. Most people only need to look once a year, plus a few months before a mortgage application. Check sooner if you spot an unfamiliar account, a refused application or a sudden drop in your score.
A soft search is a look at your file that is not a credit application, such as when you check your own report or run an eligibility check. A hard search happens when you apply for credit, and lenders can see it. Soft searches do not affect your score. Hard searches can.
A hard search can affect your score for at least 12 months. Citizens Advice says credit files list searches by companies in the last 12 months. The effect fades as the search ages, and one search rarely matters on its own. Check each agency’s report to see exactly what it shows.
Allow a few months. That gives you time to correct errors and reduce card balances before a lender looks. If you are self-employed or have had credit problems, start earlier and speak to a mortgage broker about which lenders suit your situation.
