There is no single UK definition of bad credit. Each of the three main credit reference agencies uses its own scoring scale, and lenders set their own thresholds on top. Understanding where your score sits on each scale can help you see how lenders may view your application.
This article is information only. It explains how credit scoring works in the UK and what "bad credit" typically means across the three main agencies. It is not financial advice, and it does not tell you whether you will or will not be accepted for any product.
What does "bad credit" actually mean?
"Bad credit" is not an official category. It is a shorthand for a credit history that lenders consider higher risk. That can mean a low numerical score, specific negative markers on your credit file, or both.
There is no single UK cut-off. What counts as poor with one agency may fall into a different band with another, because each agency uses a different scale. Lenders also apply their own internal criteria, which they do not have to disclose.
Why are there three different scores?
The three main credit reference agencies operating in the UK are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each collects data from lenders, courts, and public records, and each runs its own scoring model.
A lender may check one, two, or all three when you apply for credit. Because each agency may hold slightly different information about you, your score can vary between them.
Checking your own score is always a soft search. It does not affect your score and leaves no trace that other lenders can see.
What do the scoring bands look like at each agency?
Each agency publishes its own bands. The numbers below reflect their published guidance as last checked in July 2025, but the exact boundaries can change.
Experian (scale: 0 to 999)
| Band | Score range |
|---|---|
| Very Poor | 0 to 560 |
| Poor | 561 to 720 |
| Fair | 721 to 880 |
| Good | 881 to 960 |
| Excellent | 961 to 999 |
A score below 721 sits in the Poor or Very Poor band. Lenders using Experian data may view applications from this range as higher risk.
Equifax (scale: 0 to 1,000)
| Band | Score range |
|---|---|
| Very Poor | 0 to 278 |
| Poor | 279 to 438 |
| Fair | 439 to 530 |
| Good | 531 to 670 |
| Excellent | 671 to 1,000 |
A score below 439 sits in the Poor or Very Poor band with Equifax. These figures reflect ClearScore/Equifax published guidance as last checked in July 2025.
TransUnion (scale: 0 to 710)
| Band | Score range |
|---|---|
| Very Poor | 0 to 550 |
| Poor | 551 to 565 |
| Fair | 566 to 603 |
| Good | 604 to 627 |
| Excellent | 628 to 710 |
TransUnion's scale is smaller than the other two. A score below 566 is in a Poor or Very Poor band. These figures reflect TransUnion's published guidance as last checked in July 2025.
Because the scales are different sizes, you cannot compare a raw number from one agency to a raw number from another. A score of 600 means something very different on a 710-point scale than on a 999-point scale.
What causes a low score?
Several things can push a score into a poor or very poor band. Common examples include:
- Missed or late payments on loans, credit cards, or utility bills
- A default notice or default registered on your file
- A County Court Judgment (CCJ)
- A debt management plan, Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), or bankruptcy
- Multiple hard searches on your file in a short period, which can result from several credit applications
- Having very little credit history at all (sometimes called a "thin file")
- Being registered at a new address with no long-term financial ties
Some of these markers stay on your credit file for six years. Others, like a thin file, may improve more quickly as you build a record.
Does a low score mean I cannot borrow?
Not automatically. Some lenders specialise in lending to people with poor credit histories. However:
- Interest rates are typically higher, sometimes significantly so.
- Borrowing limits are usually lower.
- Some lenders will still decline applications even if they advertise products for bad credit.
A useful first step is to use eligibility checkers before applying formally. These use soft searches and do not affect your score. You can compare options without leaving a mark on your file.
Warnings: what to be careful about if your credit is poor
If your score is low because of current financial difficulty, applying for more credit is not always the right move.
Be careful if:
- You are already missing payments on existing debts. Borrowing more is unlikely to resolve the underlying pressure and may add to it.
- You are considering a loan with a very high interest rate. A lower monthly payment may come from spreading the debt over a longer period, which can mean paying considerably more in total.
- You are using credit to pay for day-to-day essentials. This is often a sign that free debt advice is more appropriate than a new loan.
A default or CCJ on your file means a lender already recorded that you could not meet agreed repayments. Before applying for new credit in that situation, it may be worth speaking to a free debt adviser first.
If you are worried about your current debts or repayments, free advice is available:
- StepChange Debt Charity: 0800 138 1111 (free, confidential)
- National Debtline: 0808 808 4000 (free, confidential)
- MoneyHelper: 0800 138 7777 (free, government-backed service)
These services can help you look at your full picture before you decide whether applying for credit makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one universal credit score in the UK?
No. There is no single universal credit score. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion each calculate their own score using their own scale. A score that looks high with one agency can look middling with another, because the maximum numbers differ. Lenders may check one, two, or all three agencies.
What score counts as bad credit with Experian?
Experian uses a scale of 0 to 999. Scores below 721 are rated Poor or Very Poor. Experian describes 0 to 560 as Very Poor and 561 to 720 as Poor. A score in either band is likely to make borrowing harder or more expensive, though individual lenders set their own cut-offs.
What score counts as bad credit with Equifax?
Equifax uses a scale of 0 to 1,000. Scores below 439 are considered Poor or Very Poor. Equifax rates 0 to 278 as Very Poor and 279 to 438 as Poor. As with other agencies, these are guidance bands, lenders apply their own criteria on top.
What score counts as bad credit with TransUnion?
TransUnion uses a scale of 0 to 710. Scores of 565 and below are considered Poor or Very Poor. TransUnion rates 0 to 550 as Very Poor and 551 to 565 as Poor. The Poor band appears narrow compared with Experian's equivalent because the overall scale is smaller: the same proportional range simply spans fewer points on a 710-point scale.
Can I borrow if I have bad credit?
Some lenders do offer products to people with poor credit histories, but interest rates are typically higher and borrowing limits lower. There is no guarantee of approval. If you are already under financial pressure, free debt advice may be a more useful first step than applying for new credit.
How do I find out my credit score?
You can check your credit report for free with all three agencies: Experian (via its website), Equifax (via ClearScore), and TransUnion (via Credit Karma or directly at transunion.co.uk). Checking your own report uses a soft search and does not affect your score.
Sources and further reading
- Experian, credit score bands and guidance: https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/guides/good-credit-score.html (last checked July 2025)
- Equifax/ClearScore, credit score bands and guidance: https://www.clearscore.com/learn/credit-score-and-report/what-is-a-good-credit-score (last checked July 2025)
- TransUnion, credit score bands and guidance: https://www.transunion.co.uk/consumer/credit-score (last checked July 2025)
- MoneyHelper, understanding your credit report: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit/understanding-your-credit-report-and-credit-score (last checked July 2025)
For a broader look at borrowing options if your credit history is poor, see our Bad Credit Loans guide. For more on what goes into your credit file and how to read it, see Credit Reports and Scores.
- Is there one universal credit score in the UK?
No. There is no single universal credit score. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion each calculate their own score using their own scale. A score that looks high with one agency can look middling with another, because the maximum numbers differ. Lenders may check one, two, or all three agencies.
- What score counts as bad credit with Experian?
Experian uses a scale of 0 to 999. Scores below 721 are rated Poor or Very Poor. Experian describes 0 to 560 as Very Poor and 561 to 720 as Poor. A score in either band is likely to make borrowing harder or more expensive, though individual lenders set their own cut-offs.
- What score counts as bad credit with Equifax?
Equifax uses a scale of 0 to 1,000. Scores below 439 are considered Poor or Very Poor. Equifax rates 0 to 278 as Very Poor and 279 to 438 as Poor. As with other agencies, these are guidance bands — lenders apply their own criteria on top.
- What score counts as bad credit with TransUnion?
TransUnion uses a scale of 0 to 710. Scores of 565 and below are considered Poor or Very Poor. TransUnion rates 0 to 550 as Very Poor and 551 to 565 as Poor. These bands are narrower than Experian's because the overall scale is smaller.
- Can I borrow if I have bad credit?
Some lenders do offer products to people with poor credit histories, but interest rates are typically higher and borrowing limits lower. There is no guarantee of approval. If you are already under financial pressure, free debt advice may be a more useful first step than applying for new credit.
- How do I find out my credit score?
You can check your credit report for free with all three agencies: Experian (via its website), Equifax (via ClearScore), and TransUnion (via Credit Karma). Checking your own report uses a soft search and does not affect your score.