Does Checking My Credit History Affect My Credit Score?
Published 9th of September 2012·Updated 3 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
Checking your own credit history does not affect your credit score at all. This type of check is called a "soft search" and is invisible to lenders. Only a "hard search" - carried out by a lender when you apply for credit - appears on your file and can temporarily lower your score.
Short Summary
There are two types of credit check: soft searches and hard searches. Checking your own report is always a soft search and has no effect on your score whatsoever.
Hard searches occur when you formally apply for credit - such as a credit card, loan, or mortgage. Each hard search is visible to other lenders for 12 months and can lower your score slightly.
Multiple hard searches in a short period can signal to lenders that you are urgently seeking credit, which is a red flag. Spacing out credit applications and using eligibility checkers before applying can protect your file.
What is the difference between a soft search and a hard search?
A soft search leaves no trace that other lenders can see. Your own credit checks, pre-approval eligibility checks, and background checks by employers all count as soft searches. You can view these on your own credit report, but no lender will.
A hard search is recorded on your credit file and is visible to any lender who checks your file for the next 12 months. It is triggered when you formally apply for credit - including credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, mobile phone contracts, and some current accounts.
How much does a hard search lower your credit score?
A single hard search typically reduces your Experian score by around 5 points, though the exact impact varies depending on the agency and your overall credit profile. The effect fades over time and disappears from view after 12 months.
The concern is not one search in isolation - it is multiple searches close together. If you apply for a credit card, get refused, then apply elsewhere, then try a loan, lenders can see the sequence. They cannot see the outcome of each application or the reasons for refusal, but they can see the pattern, which suggests financial difficulty.
How do multiple credit applications affect your score?
| Number of hard searches in 6 months | Likely perception by lenders |
|---|---|
| 1 | Normal; no concern |
| 2-3 | Minor concern; still manageable |
| 4-5 | Elevated concern; suggests credit urgency |
| 6 or more | Serious concern; many lenders will decline |
According to Experian, multiple applications in a short period can be one of the most significant short-term negative factors on your credit file. The damage is temporary, but it can affect your ability to get credit for up to 12 months.
How can I check my credit score without affecting it?
All three major credit reference agencies - Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion - offer free access to your credit report. Checking via their own platforms (CreditExpert, Equifax Credit Report, or Credit Karma for TransUnion data) counts as a soft search and has no effect on your score.
Always use an eligibility checker before applying for any credit product. Most major lenders and comparison sites, including MoneySuperMarket and Compare the Market, offer free eligibility tools that run a soft search and estimate your approval chances before you make a formal application.
What if I have been refused credit multiple times?
Stop applying immediately. Each additional application adds another hard search and compounds the problem. Instead, check your credit report with all three agencies for errors - incorrect address details, accounts you do not recognise, or outdated negative marks can all be disputed and corrected.
If there is no error and your credit is genuinely poor, focus on improving it before applying again. Give yourself at least three to six months of positive credit behaviour - on-time payments, reduced balances - before trying again. Citizens Advice and StepChange both offer free, impartial guidance on improving your credit position.
FAQ
Does checking my credit score hurt it?
No. Checking your own credit score on any of the three main agencies - Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion - counts as a soft search and has absolutely no effect on your credit score or your file as seen by lenders.
How long do hard searches stay on my credit file?
Hard searches remain on your credit file for 12 months from the date they were made. After 12 months they are no longer visible to lenders, though they may remain in your own view for up to two years depending on the agency.
Can a lender see why I applied for credit?
No. Lenders can see that a hard search was carried out and by whom, but they cannot see the reason for the search or the outcome of the application. They draw their own conclusions from the pattern of searches.
Will a mortgage application hurt my credit score?
A mortgage application triggers a hard search, which may reduce your score slightly. Most lenders will do this as part of their assessment. If you use a mortgage broker, they can approach lenders in a way that minimises the number of hard searches on your file.
Should I apply for several credit cards at once to compare offers?
No. Each application triggers a hard search. Instead, use eligibility checkers on the lenders' own websites or on comparison sites to find the products most likely to accept you before making a single formal application.
How do I dispute an incorrect hard search on my file?
Contact the lender who carried out the search and ask them to remove it if it was made without your consent or in error. If they refuse, raise a formal complaint with the lender and, if unresolved, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). You can also raise a dispute directly with the credit reference agency.