Credit file

jak

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post so sorry if it's not. I checked my credit file with credit expert yesterday to find that it's clear! I mean last time I checked, I had a 'left address with no forwarding' thing on it which is gone?! Has this gone because of the time~? Has it dropped off? Can I find out?
All is marked as satisfactory, including credit card- although it does say I have made 1-2 late payments in the last 31 months. Any idea when these drop off? Or is it 6 years? I'm really finding it a bit of a struggle to understand this. I've read all the articles but can't seem to make sense of it?
Also if it's all marked as satisfactory now does that mean I can get credit?
I'm not going to I just wondered as I got refused for a catalogue account 6 months ago.
Also how long does it take the bank to update records? My credit card balance is still showing as nearly 3K, which it isnt!
Thanks
J
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