Get your free Experian credit score

Maintaining a good credit score is essential for keeping your finances healthy. With a good credit score, you’ll gain access to better credit cards, mortgages, payment plans and more. A poor credit score, on the other hand, can quickly become a barrier to a comfortable lifestyle, getting in the way of everything from big life moments like securing a mortgage, to everyday essentials such as getting a new phone contract.

Keeping on top of your finances and maintaining a good credit score will grant you access to a wider range of credit offers and better rates which can make your borrowing more affordable.

Here’s everything you need to know about your credit rating, and why making the most of a free Experian credit score could set you on the path to a brighter financial future.

A credit score is a three-digit number that is used as a measure of how reliable a consumer is when it comes to borrowing and then repaying that money. The higher the number, the lower the risk a customer poses to lenders. 

"Good" credit scores help consumers to be approved for credit cards, mortgages, loans, and contracts, whereas "poor" credit scores can prevent consumers from being approved for these services. 

Credit reference agencies (such as Experian) collect information about a consumer's financial history and use this to create their score—this is called a credit report. 

An individual's credit score is created with consideration of the ways they've borrowed and repaid money in the past. A consumer who has always repaid what they've borrowed on time is more likely to have a good credit score than somebody who falls behind on bills and payments, for example.

Those who have never borrowed money before—have never had a credit card, or mobile phone contact, for example—will see this lack of information on the nature of their financial habits reflected in their credit score.

Other factors are also considered in determining your credit score, including County Court Judgments and the electoral roll, though your salary is not considered.

Read more: How to understand your credit score  

Knowledge is power—keeping on top of changes to your credit report can help you work towards a stronger credit score. Regularly checking your credit score can also alert you to any errors or inaccurate information which may be negatively affecting your score. 

Experian updates your credit score every 30 days, so you can remain fully in control of the fluctuations in your assessments. 

Experian is the largest credit agency in the UK and provides the best credit score experience. A May 2021 survey highlighted Experian as the UK's most trusted credit score check.

Not only do Experian offer a free credit report check—without impacting your credit score—but they also offer tips and advice on how to improve your credit score. Signing up takes less than two minutes, and the service is free for life. 

Experian credit scores run between 0 and 999 and are based on a consumer's Experian Credit Report. Their useful guides will give you the full picture when it comes to understanding how companies will view your credit score, and assess your reliability accordingly. 

No card details are required, and signing up takes less than two minutes. Sign up for a free Experian credit score check to take the first step towards being in more control of your credit rating. 

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Read more: How to understand your credit score  

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