Your credit score predicts how likely you are to pay back borrowed money, based on your past behaviour. It’s measured by three credit rating agencies and used by lenders when deciding whether to approve things like personal loans credit cards, or mortgages.
A lot of people fret about their credit score. They don’t want to spend years saving only to find that when they apply for a mortgage, their credit file is holding them back.
It’s also something that’s constantly changing, so understanding what can affect it is helpful to keep in the back of your mind – whether you’re consciously trying to improve your credit score or simply protect it on your way to life goals.
What is a good credit score?
For a “good” score, you need between 881 to 960 with the largest agency, Experian.
A look at average credit scores in the UK – from Experian – suggests most of us are not far off this. The average credit score in the UK is 779, which sits in “fair” territory.
| Place | Average Experian score (out of 999) |
| Birmingham | 763 |
| London (Southwark) | 787 |
| Liverpool | 739 |
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | 764 |
| Manchester | 743 |
| Portsmouth | 767 |
| Cardiff | 779 |
| Belfast | 790 |
| Nottingham | 756 |
| Bristol | 768 |
| Norwich | 786 |
| Cambridge | 841 |
| Leeds | 783 |
| Middlesborough | 720 |
| Edinburgh | 835 |
| Glasgow | 774 |
Source: Experian.co.uk – May 2, 2025, regional credit score data
It’s worth noting that no major UK city sits in Experian’s “good” or “excellent” category on average. In fact, urban centres typically score lower than the suburbs around them.
Birmingham, for example, scores 763, while surrounding areas sit comfortably above 800 – Lichfield at 843, Solihull at 829 and North Warwickshire at 797. Cambridge and Edinburgh are rare exceptions, posting two of the strongest averages in the UK.
What credit score do you need for a mortgage?
It’s generally accepted that a credit score above 700 will get you in the door with most lenders. From there, better mortgage deals can be offered as your score improves (among other factors).
If you’re saving for a house deposit and want to see how your saving progress stacks up against others in the UK, take a look at our comparison of average savings pots by age in the UK.
Read more: What are the average savings by age in the UK?
How to check your credit score
You can check your credit score for free with any of the UK’s main credit rating agencies – Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. Each agency has its own scoring system, so a score of 700 with Experian doesn’t translate directly to the same level with Equifax.
It’s important to know that lenders don’t rely on the agencies and often use their own internal methods to calculate creditworthiness, but the agencies remain a good guide. If you want to monitor your score more closely, you can pay for detailed credit reports or services that track your score continuously through open banking.
How to improve your credit score
If you haven’t already, one of the fastest ways to raise your credit score is to get on the electoral register. It helps lenders verify your identity. You should also check your credit report for mistakes – outdated addresses or wrong personal details – and get them corrected.
From there, lenders want to see evidence that you manage credit sensibly. That’s what builds confidence and helps when you eventually apply for a larger loan such as a mortgage.
A simple starting point is to use a credit card for a small share of your everyday spending and pay it off in full, like clockwork, each month. A mix of different types of credit can help too. Just keep everything in moderation. You don’t want to appear reliant on credit cards, so using them for about a quarter of your spending is sensible for most people.
What if I’ve messed up my credit score?
It also goes without saying that serious marks on your credit file – bankruptcies, Country Court Judgements or defaulted loans – will cause concern. But these aren’t permanent. Even these setbacks fade from your credit history in time.
After six years, they will no longer be visible on your report. So don’t give up on being accepted for a business loan or a mortgage if you’ve fallen on hard times in the past. Do the right things now – build a pattern of reliable behaviour – and you can still achieve a “good” or even “excellent” score in the future.
Nothing on this website should be construed as personal advice based on your circumstances. No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal.
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