Key facts: UK lenders don't use Experian, Equifax or TransUnion scores directly — each runs its own internal scoring on your credit file's contents. Strong scores across agencies (roughly Experian 880+, Equifax 420+, TransUnion 610+) usually mean mainstream approval; below that, specialist lenders assess the detail rather than the number.
Why there's no single "score you need"
The consumer scores you see are the agencies' summaries of your file — useful barometers, but not what lenders read. A lender pulls the underlying file (payment history, credit accounts, searches, electoral roll, public records) and applies its own model, calibrated to its appetite. That's why one lender declines and another approves the same applicant at the same time: the file is identical, the models aren't.
What lenders actually weigh
The heavyweights are payment history (any missed payments, defaults, CCJs — and crucially how recent), credit utilisation (balances vs limits; under ~30% reads well), stability signals (electoral roll registration, time at address and in employment), and recent credit-seeking (several hard searches in months before applying reads as strain). A thin file — little credit history at all — can score as poorly as a blemished one, because there's nothing to evidence reliability.
What if your score is low?
Low scores narrow the field rather than closing it. Specialist lenders price by the specifics: a satisfied default from three years ago is a different case from a CCJ registered last month. Larger deposits offset credit risk directly. Our guides to the best bad-credit mortgages and mortgages after bankruptcy map the terrain — and the cardinal rule is to apply only where you're likely to pass, because each failed application adds a hard search to the file.
Improving your score before applying
The quick wins, roughly in order of speed: register on the electoral roll at your current address; pay down card balances below 30% of limits; correct file errors with the agencies; stop applying for new credit for 3–6 months; and set every account to pay at least the minimum by direct debit. Full detail in improving your credit before borrowing. Twelve clean, stable months transform how models read you.
Skip the guesswork
A whole-of-market broker knows the scoring appetite of each lender and places your file where it passes — often the difference between a decline and a mainstream rate. Get matched with a mortgage broker through Nesto — free, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What Experian score do I need for a mortgage?
There's no official threshold — lenders score internally. As a rule of thumb, 880+ (Experian's "good") suggests mainstream options; lower scores point to specialist lenders assessing the detail.
Can I get a mortgage with a default?
Yes — specialist lenders accept defaults, priced by age, size and whether satisfied. Older, settled defaults may barely affect terms with the right lender.
Do mortgage applications hurt my credit score?
The full application involves a hard search, which has a small effect. Multiple applications in quick succession do real damage — which is why targeting the right lender first matters.
How long before applying should I fix my credit?
Start 3–6 months out. Electoral roll and utilisation changes register within weeks; recovering from missed payments takes longer.