A score is only “bad” within the scale used by the service showing it. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion use different ranges, and TransUnion is changing its scale during 2026. The number is a prompt to inspect your credit report; it is not a shared UK lending cut-off.
What counts as a bad credit score in the UK?
On the scales checked on 19 September 2026, Experian calls 0–640 “Low” and Equifax calls 0–438 “Poor”. TransUnion’s old 0–710 scale labels 0–550 “Very low” and 551–565 “Low”; its new 0–999 scale labels 0–487 “Very low” and 488–562 “Low”. TransUnion is rolling the new scale out through partner services, so the version you see may differ.
Low and poor score bands are not interchangeable
Read a score with the name of the agency, the full scale and the provider’s current band. Do not compare the raw numbers across agencies.
On a phone, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Agency and scale | Lower bands checked 19 September 2026 | How to interpret them |
|---|---|---|
| Experian 0–1,250 | Low: 0–640 Fair: 641–860 | Experian uses “Low” for its bottom band. A Fair score is outside that band, but neither label guarantees or prevents acceptance for a particular product. |
| Equifax 0–1,000 | Poor: 0–438 Fair: 439–530 | Equifax uses “Poor” for its bottom band. The number summarises information in the Equifax report and cannot be converted directly into an Experian or TransUnion score. |
| TransUnion old scale 0–710 | Very low: 0–550 Low: 551–565 | Some partner services may still show this scale during the transition. Check the maximum score displayed before interpreting your result. |
| TransUnion new scale 0–999 | Very low: 0–487 Low: 488–562 | TransUnion says the new scale starts appearing through partner services from September 2026. A changed number or band does not, by itself, mean that the report data changed. |
A low score is not always the same as bad credit history
The number can point towards several different situations. The credit report tells you which one needs attention.
A recorded payment or debt problem
Missed or late payments, defaults, CCJs, insolvency records and other account conduct can reduce a score. The event type, date, amount and current status are more useful than the score alone when discussing a mortgage.
A thin credit file
Someone new to UK credit or with few reported accounts may receive a low score because the agency has limited information. That is different from a report containing missed payments or a court judgment.
An error or incomplete record
An incorrect address, unfamiliar account, duplicate entry or payment status that has not updated may affect the report and score. Check all relevant agencies before assuming the information is accurate everywhere.
What may sit behind a low credit score
Agencies use their own models, so there is no universal weighting or single order of importance. These are report areas worth checking.
Payments and account status
Late or missed payments, defaults, arrangements and unresolved arrears can affect a score. Confirm the recorded dates and whether the status now reflects any payment or settlement.
Balances and available credit
High balances or using a large share of available revolving credit may influence the provider’s score. Avoid assuming one percentage target applies to every person, product or agency.
Recent applications
Several full credit applications can leave hard searches. Check whether searches are recognised and ask whether future eligibility checks use a soft or hard search before consenting.
Public information
Relevant judgments, bankruptcies and insolvency records can appear on a report. Use the record type and dates rather than US terms or rules that do not apply to the UK.
Addresses and identity
Inconsistent addresses, missing electoral-register information where you are eligible, or identity checks that cannot match can affect how complete and reliable a file appears.
Financial associations
A joint credit account can create a financial association. Check that current links are accurate and ask the agencies about disassociation only when the relevant financial relationship has ended.
Turn the score into a useful credit-file check
Do not try to improve a number without first identifying the information behind it.
On a phone, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| What you notice | What to examine | Practical response |
|---|---|---|
| One score is much lower | Accounts, addresses, searches, financial associations and update dates on that agency’s report. | Compare the underlying data rather than trying to convert the number. Raise a genuine discrepancy with the relevant agency and data provider. |
| The score fell recently | New balances, payments, applications, opened or closed accounts, address data and newly reported public records. | Use the provider’s change explanation and confirm that the report entry is yours and accurate before taking action. |
| The file is very short | Whether your current address and eligible electoral-register record match, and which active accounts are reported. | Do not borrow unnecessarily just to chase a score. Keep accurate identity information and let genuine, well-managed accounts build a record over time. |
| An entry is wrong | The account reference, reporting organisation, status, dates and any supporting evidence. | Contact the agency and the organisation that supplied the data where appropriate. Keep the dispute, evidence and response together. |
| The report is accurate but adverse | The event type, date, amount, settlement position, subsequent conduct and current commitments. | Keep payments up to date, avoid speculative applications and prepare a factual chronology for any mortgage discussion. |
Use the completed guide to obtain your UK credit reports (opens in a new tab). The Information Commissioner’s Office explains your right to access credit information and challenge inaccurate data.
The score band does not decide the mortgage
Move from the consumer label to the actual report, the proposed mortgage and the lender’s current assessment.
Start with the mortgage-score distinction
A consumer score is not a market-wide threshold. Read what credit score you need for a mortgage (opens in a new tab) for the separate affordability, deposit, property and application checks.
Identify the event, not just “bad credit”
If the report contains a specific event, follow its specialist owner: late payments (opens in a new tab), a default (opens in a new tab) or a CCJ (opens in a new tab).
Check dates and current status
Older information can remain relevant while reported, but age alone does not establish acceptance. The credit-history lookback guide (opens in a new tab) explains the distinction between reporting periods and lender assessment.
Use the main advice route
The bad credit mortgage hub (opens in a new tab) brings together the application journey and specialist situations. A suitable option cannot be assumed from a score or one event.
Six actions after seeing a low score
Work on accurate records and sustainable finances rather than a promised number or quick fix.
Record the source
Write down the agency or service, score, scale, band and date. This prevents an old scale or third-party display from being treated as current agency guidance.
Check all relevant reports
Compare identities, addresses, accounts, payment markers, searches, associations and public records. Differences between agencies can explain different results.
Correct genuine errors
Raise inaccurate information with the agency and, where appropriate, the organisation that supplied it. Do not dispute an accurate event simply because it lowers a score.
Protect current payments
Keep required payments up to date where possible and speak to the provider or a free debt-advice organisation early if a payment problem is developing.
Avoid score-chasing debt
Do not open credit solely to diversify a file or reach a quoted target. Consider cost, affordability and whether the borrowing serves a genuine need.
Prepare the real mortgage facts
Bring the loan, deposit or equity, income, commitments, household costs and a factual credit-event timeline to an adviser before a full application.
How the current score bands were checked
The scale and band information comes from the relevant agency. It should be rechecked when an agency changes its consumer model.
Experian
Experian’s current public scale is 0–1,250, with 0–640 labelled Low and 641–860 Fair. It also states that no specific score guarantees acceptance. Read Experian’s score bands (opens in a new tab).
Equifax
Equifax’s current public scale is 0–1,000, with 0–438 labelled Poor and 439–530 Fair. Read Equifax’s current ranges (opens in a new tab).
TransUnion
TransUnion publishes both its old 0–710 bands and new 0–999 bands while the new score rolls out through partner providers from September 2026. Read TransUnion’s transition guide (opens in a new tab).
Information Commissioner’s Office
The ICO confirms that a statutory credit report does not require a paid subscription. Its guidance also sets out where to raise incorrect file data: with the relevant agency and, when appropriate, the organisation that reported it. Read the ICO credit guidance (opens in a new tab).
Information and source links reviewed 19 September 2026. TransUnion’s rollout means this guide needs a specific recheck when the old scale is withdrawn from partner services.
Put your score in context before applying
Note the agency or app, maximum scale, named band and date shown. For a mortgage conversation, add your buying or remortgaging aim, approximate property and loan figures, deposit or equity, income type and the broad date of any credit event. Count Ready can then explain which details deserve a closer review.
This first conversation is an enquiry. It is not a mortgage application, lending decision or promise that a suitable product will be available.
Understanding a low UK credit score
What is considered a bad credit score in the UK?
There is no single UK number. Experian calls 0–640 Low on its 0–1,250 scale, while Equifax calls 0–438 Poor on its 0–1,000 scale. TransUnion’s old 0–710 scale uses Very low for 0–550 and Low for 551–565; its new 0–999 scale uses Very low for 0–487 and Low for 488–562. Check which scale your provider displays.
Is 500 a bad credit score in the UK?
It depends on the agency and scale. A score of 500 is Low with Experian, Fair with Equifax, Very low on TransUnion’s old scale and Low on TransUnion’s new scale. That is why the agency name, maximum score and band matter more than the raw number alone.
Is a low score the same as bad credit history?
No. A low score may reflect adverse entries, but it can also arise from limited UK credit history, recently changed information or a data problem. Read the underlying report to see whether it contains missed payments, defaults, CCJs or insolvency records, or simply provides too little information for a strong consumer score.
Why can one agency rate me low and another rate me fair or good?
Agencies can receive different information, update it at different times and use different scales and models. Compare the accounts, addresses, payment statuses, searches and associations on each report. During TransUnion’s transition, also check whether the service shows the old 0–710 or new 0–999 scale.
Can I get a mortgage with a bad credit score?
A low agency band neither approves nor refuses a mortgage. A lender considers the report entries and their dates alongside affordability, existing commitments, deposit or equity, the property and the evidence supplied. The sensible next step may be an application, a correction, a different case structure or more time, depending on the individual facts.
Does checking my own credit report lower my score?
No. Viewing your own file is not a full application for borrowing. Mortgage providers can use soft or hard searches at different points, so find out which search is planned before you agree. Avoid making several full applications simply to see which one succeeds.
How quickly can a low credit score improve?
There is no reliable fixed timetable. A genuine correction may change the file after it is processed, while the effect of accurate adverse history, balances or limited history changes as new information is reported over time. Focus on accurate data, required payments and affordable commitments rather than a promised score increase.
Move from the score to the question you need answered
This guide provides general information rather than advice for an individual case. Count Ready acts as a credit broker and not as a lender. Agency bands cannot predict a lender’s decision, and an initial discussion or agreement in principle is not a mortgage offer. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.