Credit refused - a mystery I am unable to resolve

Chappaz

Absolutely no one on this earth has a 100% chance of being accepted for all credit they apply for.

It doesn't matter how good the credit rating may be.

Credit checks are not just about risk. They can also be about ensuring that customers are the right "fit" for them.

As rtho782 mentioned, it may be because your credit history is too good. You might be great for risk, but poor for profitability. They can reject you for either.

This is where having a credit history of balances cleared in full and 0% deals can actually be a hindrance at times, because it's easy for lenders to identify whether you use credit in ways which occur interest charges. If you don't, it means you're not very profitable. After all, their main focus in dishing out money is to make more back.

Is it fair? Not really. But that's just the way it is. Credit is not a right.

That aside, avoid making any other credit applications for at least a few months. The failed one you made for the PC would have left a hard search on your file, and too many in a short space of time can lower your rating.

Candyapple

You mentioned about being mortgage free (won't show on your files), having credit cards over the years (anything older than 6 years ago won't show), bills paid on time (a lot of bills aren't reported back to credit reference agencies).

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that the probable reason for your decline is a thin credit file / lack of any current credit commitments - which to lenders means you are seen as an unknown quantity and classed much the same as an 18 year old with no credit history.

Being on the electoral roll is a good thing and you should check that this info is showing across all 3 files, the free versions of which are below:

Experian: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub
Call Credit: https://www.noddle.co.uk
Equifax: https://www.clearscore.com

Do you have any bank accounts / mobile phone contracts / water, electricity or other bill accounts / any credit cards you currently own that show up?