Late payments - how do credit checks treat these if you settle the account?

mm1982

I have 4 late payments on my credit report for a catalogue. 3 show as '1' in 2006 and the final one shows as '2' in 2007. I stupidly closed the account in early 08 (not understanding credit reports) so on my credit report it shows 2006, 2007 and 2008. I now know that if I'd kept it open the 2006 late marks would be dropping off next year but because I closed the account they now won't disappear until 6 years after the account was closed so 2014!!!

My question is on my experian credit report it says number of late payments in the last 23 months of account activity '4'. When I do a mortgage application will the bank search treat them as if they occurred within the last 23 months or will they treat them as 5 years ago when they actually occurred? Will the bank search know the dates of when they occurred? I'm worried they will just see 'number of late payments in the last 23 months' not realising the account was closed 3 years ago.

Sorry if I'm confusing things. I hope that makes sense. Basically I want to know how much harm I did by closing the account.

Thanks