Credit Score Won't Budge!

kate87

Hello!

I just wanted a bit of advice. To cut a long story short when I was a student I got into a bit of a mess and ended up with a few late/ missed payments on my credit report. My score was pretty atrocious, but I'd never had a CCJ or anything like that, and I did eventually pay everything back!

Everything is now up to date and paid on time and has been so for the past 5 years (apart from 2 late payments on a next account that I can see which are about 2 and 3 years old respectively).

I checked my credit report again a year ago, and it had hardly budged. I then checked it just now and it's not budged again! On Noddle I'm a 1 out of 5!

Our mortgage isn't in my name, but all of the utility bills are, and they come out of my account, always on time and by direct debit.
I also have a mobile phone contract which has always been up to date. I have a credit card which I use occasionally and always pay on time, sometimes partially and sometimes the full balance.

So since being a late paying scamp, I have had a fair amount of credit, used it and paid it on time, all but twice! . Financially I'm also much better off because I've not been a student for a LONG TIME!

I'm getting frustrated because I've changed my ways and I'd like to buy a small car on pcp, but I'm worried I won't get accepted which will be a bit heartbreaking but also quite embarrassing.

I've checked with Noddle and Equifax and everything on the report is correct, they've even picked up that I changed my name when I got married.

Why is my score so low? I read through some of the other posts and I can see that the score isn't the be and all end all, but how else will I know if I have a good chance of being accepted?

Thank you for reading!

stator

Are you on the electoral roll?

Don't worry about the 'score' since it's meaningless. Just make sure you pay the CC in full every month and there are no mistakes or errors on all three of your credit reports.

kate87

Thanks stator, I am on the electoral roll, but I've noticed it's in my maiden name so I'll need to change that, but it does come up on the credit file.
So that's the only anomaly I can see really.

Futuristic

Are you using paid Noddle or just free?

Might be worth signing up to Equifax & Experian free 30 day trial to get something more detailed and would tell you negative factors.

Make sure to call and cancel if you do sign up near end of the month

kate87

I'm using free noddle, and the £2 statutory report on equifax. It seemed quite detailed on the equifax one, do you know if they offer something extra on the 30 day trial?

MABLE

Just checked my Noddle report and the score went down to 4 and now back to 5. Ok ok ok we have exhausted the meaningless factor but for the feel good factor its ticks all the boxes.

Thrugelmir

MABLE wrote: »

Just checked my Noddle report and the score went down to 4 and now back to 5.

Scores are worthless. Would appear that your record is complete now. So its a lenders decision if you fit their profile or not. With a clean credit history that has improved your chances.