How To Check Your Credit Score for Free in the UK

You can check for free — legally

UK law gives you the right to see your statutory credit report for £2 or free through online services. You should never need to pay a monthly subscription just to view your basic file.

Free apps show your score and summary; they make money from product recommendations. That is fine — just compare deals yourself before applying.

Free services by credit agency

Different apps link to different CRAs. Because lenders do not all use the same agency, checking more than one gives a fuller picture.

• ClearScore — Equifax data, free score and report updates
• Credit Karma — TransUnion data, free in the UK
• Experian — free account with score and report via experian.co.uk
• MSE Credit Club — TransUnion data via MoneySavingExpert

Statutory credit reports

Each CRA must provide a statutory report on request. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion offer online access — sometimes labelled as a one-off legal report. This is the raw file without the app’s score styling.

If you are disputing an error or preparing for a mortgage, the statutory report is worth having alongside free app summaries.

What to check on your report

Work through your file systematically. Errors are more common than people expect — wrong addresses, accounts you never opened, or old defaults that should have dropped off.

• Personal details — name, date of birth, current and previous addresses
• Electoral roll — are you registered to vote at your current address?
• Account history — payments on time, balances, closed accounts
• Hard searches — applications for credit in the last 12 months
• Public records — CCJs, bankruptcies, individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs)
• Financial associations — joint accounts or mortgages with another person

How often should you check?

Every few months is enough for most people. Check all three agencies at least once a year. Before a mortgage or large loan application, review files 3–6 months ahead so you have time to fix issues.

Spotting identity fraud

Unknown accounts, addresses you never lived at, or sudden hard searches you did not authorise can signal fraud. Contact the CRA and the lender immediately. CIFAS protective registration is an option if you are at high risk.

Fixing mistakes on your file

Raise a dispute with the CRA — they must investigate within 28 days. Provide evidence (statements, closure letters). If the lender agrees, the entry should be corrected or removed.

For outdated information, ask whether it should have fallen off. Most negative markers disappear after six years from the date of default.

Soft vs hard searches on your report

Soft searches (quotations, your own checks, eligibility tools) stay on your file but lenders generally cannot see them — and they do not affect scoring. Hard searches appear when you complete a full application. Space out applications if you have been declined.

Before you apply for credit

Use eligibility checkers where available — they run soft searches. Model repayments with our loan repayment and affordability calculators so you know what you can afford before a hard search goes on your file.