To check your credit history, you will need to access a copy of your Credit Report (or credit file). This can be obtained from either of the three main credit agencies in the UK - Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Simply visit their website and submit a request by following their instructions. Your report will include everything from address history to the amount of credit you have access to.

Lenders like to see a solid record of your credit history as this will help them to determine how reliable you are to lend to. If you have no credit history, then you are considered a greater risk to lenders and as a result - you may find it more difficult to be accepted for car finance. However, if you apply for car finance with no credit history, you still have some options open to you. You may be required to pay a substantial Deposit to offset the risk the lender would take with granting you access to credit.

Alternatively, you may be able to take advantage of a parent’s good credit history and request for them to be a Guarantor. Similarly, if you have a partner with good credit, it’s possible to start a Joint Application, which could be helpful if you have no credit history yourself.

When you check your Credit File, you'll notice that open accounts stay on your file indefinitely. Once you’ve closed an account, that information will stay on your credit file for 6 years, and then be removed. If you default on a payment, go bankrupt, enter a debt management plan or obtain a CCJ, this information will remain on your credit file for 6 years from the default date, even if it has been settled.

Your statutory Credit Report will provide information on your credit score, which can be accessed by submitting a request to one of the three main UK credit agencies Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Note that each credit agency uses its own scoring system, therefore your score is likely to vary between different agencies.

Improving your Credit Score is not something that happens overnight however, it’s certainly possible with a little time and commitment. Possibly the most important thing is to ensure you never miss a payment, whether it be a loan repayment or utility bills. If you’re already consistent when it comes to making payments on time, but your lack of credit history is affecting your score then it’s a good idea to start using a credit card as this can help to build your credit record.

For more useful tips, take a look at our article “How to improve your credit score – and maintain it”.

This depends on the type of credit search. A Soft Credit Search will not have any effect on your credit score. A hard credit search however, will have a slightly negative impact although nothing detrimental.

However, multiple hard credit searches over a short period of time will suggest to lenders you are “credit hungry” and this could cause your Credit Score to drop more significantly.

When you apply for car finance with us we only perform a soft search of your credit file, enabling us to gain a snapshot of your profile. We will only perform a hard search once we’re confident that you’re likely to be accepted by our lending panel, and you have given us your permission to do so.

Yes. We accept individuals from all credit backgrounds, however we cannot guarantee car finance without an insight into your Credit Profile first.

Yes - If you have a good or excellent credit score you are considered less of a risk to lend to than someone with Bad Credit, and therefore you can take advantage of the best rates.