Finally paid off my credit cards - should I keep using one of them?

kmb500

I have 4 credit cards that I have been paying off for quite some time, and over this time paid a fair amount of interest. Last week I was given some money by a relative and I now paid off in full all the credit cards (just under £2k). I don't plan to use any of the cards again, not for the foreseeable future.

I want to have a good credit history/score for next year when I plan to take out a loan for a car (probably 5-8k). Will it harm my chances if I don't use these cards for 12 months? I don't think I have any other active credit - don't have a  mortgage, don't have a phone contract. I have some monthly bills like council tax and electricity, i assume these don't get tracked in a credit report.

The guide pinned in this forum seems contradictory to me. Martin Lewis says to build up your credit score you should pay a small amount on credit card and pay it off in full every month so you don't pay interest. However, the guide also says that if you don't let interest accrue, then your credit score may be weakened because credit companies won't make profit off you?

Would it be a good idea or not to use one card monthly (was thinking I would use the card exclusively for my car's fuel which is ~£100/month)?

MorningcoffeeIV

It's not about your score, but your management of credit.  Your aim is to show lenders you can manage credit sensibly.

Keep using two or three of the cards regularly and clear in full each month. Ignore your credit score.

TimSynths

Been in the same boat and now do exactly the same, things like flights or anything I want sec 75 protection on goes on the card and I settle in full each month, even get a little bit of cash back each July.

Totally not concerned about any mickey mouse made up scores but do everything to make my credit history be the best it can be- and it has now for over 7 years, dark days behind me.