Is a Credit Score of 702 Good? What It Means for Experian, Equifax & TransUnion
Published 4th of February 2013·Updated 9 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
A credit score of 702 is excellent with Equifax (where the top band starts at 466) but poor with Experian (where scores run up to 999). With TransUnion, 702 falls in the good range. Whether your 702 score is "good enough" depends entirely on which bureau provided it and what you want to apply for.
Short Summary
Equifax 702: Excellent. You should qualify for most credit products at competitive rates.
Experian 702: Poor. Mainstream lenders may decline you, though some specialist lenders will still approve.
TransUnion 702: Good. You'll qualify for most products, though not always at the best rates.
Each bureau uses a completely different scale, so your scores will never match across all three. Being declined by one lender does not mean you'll be declined by another.
What Does 702 Mean With Each Credit Bureau?
The UK has three main credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each uses a completely different scoring scale, which is why 702 means something very different depending on who calculated it.
| Bureau | Score Range | Where 702 Sits | Band Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experian | 0 – 999 | Low end | Poor (0–720) |
| Equifax | 0 – 700 | Near the top | Excellent (466–700) |
| TransUnion | 0 – 710 | Upper-middle | Good |
Important: A score of exactly 702 is impossible with Equifax (max is 700) and near-impossible with TransUnion (max is 710). If you were told your score is exactly 702, it almost certainly came from Experian, where 702 is a poor score.
If you have an Equifax score close to 702 (say, 695–700), that is excellent. If your Experian score is 702, that is poor and will limit your options with mainstream lenders.
Is a 702 Experian Score Good Enough?
With Experian, 702 falls in the poor band (0–720). This means:
- Mortgages: Most high-street lenders (Barclays, HSBC, Halifax) will likely decline you. Specialist lenders and mortgage brokers may still find you a deal, but you will pay a higher interest rate.
- Credit cards: You will probably be declined for rewards and balance transfer cards. You may qualify for credit-builder cards (like Aqua or Capital One) designed for lower scores.
- Personal loans: High-street banks are unlikely to approve you. Online lenders that specialise in fair/poor credit may offer loans at higher APRs.
- Phone contracts: Most major networks will approve you for SIM-only deals. 24-month handset contracts with flagship phones are less certain; some networks like Three are more lenient than others.
- Car finance: Subprime car finance providers will lend to you, but the interest rate will be substantially higher than for someone with a good score.
The practical step if your Experian score is 702: don't apply broadly and risk multiple hard searches damaging your file further. Use eligibility checkers (soft searches) first. Experian, MoneySuperMarket and ClearScore all offer these without affecting your score.
Is a 702 Equifax Score Good Enough?
With Equifax, 700 is the maximum possible score, and the excellent band starts at 466. So a score of 695–700 with Equifax is as good as it gets.
At this level you should qualify for:
- Most mortgages at competitive rates, including 5% deposit products
- Balance transfer and rewards credit cards
- Personal loans at near-prime rates
- Phone contracts on any network, including 24-month handset plans
- Car finance at mainstream rates
If your Equifax score is near 700 and you're still being declined, the issue is likely affordability (your income versus the amount you want to borrow) or recent negative markers (a missed payment in the last 12 months, a CCJ, or a recent application spree) rather than the score itself. Pull your full credit report to check.
What Can I Get With a 702 Credit Score?
Here's a practical breakdown by product type, assuming a 702 Experian score (the most common interpretation):
| Product | Likely Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | Difficult | Specialist lenders may help; expect higher rates |
| Remortgage | Possible | Existing lenders may be more flexible |
| Credit card (rewards) | Usually declined | Try a credit-builder card instead |
| Credit card (basic) | Likely approved | Aqua, Capital One, Vanquis |
| Personal loan | Possible | Higher APR; use eligibility checkers first |
| Car finance | Possible | Expect higher rates; deposit helps |
| SIM-only phone contract | Usually approved | Low risk for networks |
| Handset contract (24-month) | Mixed | Some networks more lenient than others |
| Rental property | Possible | Landlords vary; a guarantor helps |
How to Improve a 702 Experian Score
If your Experian score is 702 and you want to push it above 720 (the threshold for "fair") and eventually above 881 (good), these are the most impactful steps:
1. Register on the electoral roll This is the single fastest win. If you're not registered at your current address, register now at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Experian weights this heavily and it costs nothing.
2. Pay every bill on time, every month Payment history is the biggest factor in your score. One missed payment can knock 50–100 points off. Set up direct debits for every regular payment so you never forget.
3. Keep your credit utilisation below 30% If you have a credit card with a £1,000 limit, keep the balance below £300. High utilisation signals financial stress to lenders. Below 10% is ideal.
4. Don't apply for multiple credit products at once Each hard search stays on your file for 12 months and is visible to other lenders. Space applications at least 3–6 months apart.
5. Use a credit-builder credit card Products like the Aqua Classic or Capital One Classic are designed for lower scores. Use them for small purchases and pay the balance in full each month. After 6–12 months of responsible use, your score will typically improve.
6. Check your report for errors Mistakes on credit files are more common than most people expect. Get your free statutory report from all three bureaus and dispute any inaccuracies directly with the bureau. A single incorrect default entry can suppress your score significantly.
According to Experian, most people who actively manage their credit file see measurable improvement within 3–6 months.
How Long Will It Take to Improve From 702?
The timeframe depends on what's suppressing your score. As a rough guide:
| Situation | Typical Improvement Time |
|---|---|
| No negatives, just thin file | 3–6 months of active credit use |
| One or two missed payments | 12–24 months after bringing account up to date |
| Defaults (satisfied) | Up to 6 years (fall off automatically) |
| CCJ (satisfied) | 6 years from date of judgment |
| IVA completed | 6 years from start date |
The 6-year rule applies to most negative markers in the UK. They fall off your report automatically after 6 years, regardless of whether the debt was repaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 702 a good credit score in the UK?
It depends on the bureau. With Equifax, 702 is near the maximum of 700, which puts it in the excellent band. With Experian, 702 is poor because the scale runs to 999, putting 702 at the low end. With TransUnion (max 710), 702 is good. Always check which bureau provided your score before drawing conclusions.
Can I get a mortgage with a 702 credit score?
If your score is 702 with Experian (poor), most high-street lenders will decline you. Specialist mortgage lenders who work with adverse credit may be able to help, but you'll pay a higher interest rate and may need a larger deposit. If your score is near 700 with Equifax (excellent), you should have no problem qualifying for a mainstream mortgage.
Can I get a phone contract with a 702 Experian score?
Probably yes, for SIM-only deals. For 24-month handset contracts on flagship phones, it varies by network. Three and iD Mobile are generally more lenient than EE or Vodafone. Pay-as-you-go options are always available regardless of your score.
Why is my credit score 702 with Experian but much higher with Equifax?
Because they use completely different scales and pull from different data sets. Lenders report to different bureaus, and each agency calculates scores using its own algorithm. Your score will almost never match across all three bureaus. This is completely normal.
What is the minimum credit score to rent a house in the UK?
There is no single minimum. Landlords and letting agents set their own thresholds and may use any bureau. A 702 Experian score may cause concern for some landlords, but offering a larger deposit, providing a guarantor, or showing strong income evidence can all offset it.
Does checking my credit score lower it?
No. Checking your own score is a soft search and has no impact on your credit file. Only hard searches (carried out when you formally apply for credit) are visible to lenders and can affect your score. You can check your own score as often as you like without any penalty.
How do I check which credit bureau a lender uses?
Lenders are not required to disclose this, but many will if you ask directly. As a general guide: Experian is the most widely used in the UK, followed by Equifax and TransUnion. Some lenders check all three. ClearScore uses Equifax data; the Experian app uses Experian data; Credit Karma uses TransUnion data.