Your credit score plays a huge role in how lenders view you. That said, what actually counts as a “good” score?
The first thing to understand about a “good” credit score, is that it will depend, based on your situation and what you need credit for.
If you're applying for a loan, a mortgage, or any kind of credit, your credit score can influence what offers you get and how much you’ll have to pay. However, different credit reference agencies use different scales, so it’s easy to feel confused.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand what a good credit score is in the UK, how scores are calculated, and what really matters to lenders. We'll also give you practical ways to improve your score.
We’ll also explain why, at Salad, instead of relying solely on your credit history, we use Open Banking to get a clearer, fairer view of your financial situation and what you can afford.
Here’s everything you need to know about your credit score and how you can make it work for you.
Credit Reference Agencies & Scoring Ranges in the UK
In the UK, your credit score is determined by one or more of the three main credit reference agencies - Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Each agency collects your financial information, like how you manage credit, whether you pay your bills on time, and your overall borrowing history.
They then use their own scoring systems to rate your creditworthiness.
Here’s how the score ranges differ:
- Experian scores range from 0 to 999. A score of 881-960 is considered good, while 961-999 is excellent.
- Equifax scores range from 0 to 1,000. A score of 531-670 is good, with 811+ seen as excellent.
- TransUnion uses a scale of 0 to 710. A score of 604-627 is good, and 628-710 is excellent.
It’s important to note that you won’t have one “universal” credit score, so your rating can vary between agencies depending on what data they have. That’s why checking all three will give the clearest understanding.
Some lenders might prefer one agency over another, so keeping informed across the board will help you better understand where you stand and where you can improve.
Why “Good” Varies by Agency and Lender
A good credit score isn’t the same everywhere, and that’s because different credit reference agencies and lenders use their own criteria to judge your financial reliability.
Each of the UK’s three major agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) uses different scoring scales and may hold slightly different information about you.
For example, one agency might have the full details of your mobile phone contract history, while another might not.
On top of that, lenders don’t all follow the same rules. One bank may consider a score of 700 as good enough for a loan, while another might expect a higher rating.
Some lenders also use their own internal scoring systems that combine your credit score with other data, like your income, spending habits, and past applications.
This means that even if your score is only “fair” by one agency’s standards, you could still be approved by a lender who looks at more than just your credit score.
At Salad, we go a step further and use Open Banking data to understand your real financial situation, not just your credit score. That’s how we’re able to help more people access fair and affordable credit, even if their score isn’t perfect.
Benefits of Having a Good Credit Score
Now that you know what credit score is considered good, let’s talk about how a good score can help you.
Firstly, a good credit score can open doors to better financial opportunities. It signals to lenders that you’re a responsible borrower, which can make it easier and cheaper to access credit when you need it.
With a higher score, you’re more likely to be approved for personal loans, credit cards, car finance, or mortgages, often with lower interest rates and better terms.
Many services, like mobile phone contracts, utility accounts, or car insurance paid monthly, also involve credit checks. With a strong score, you’re likely to be approved more quickly and may have access to better rates.
Landlords and letting agents often run credit checks, too. Having a good score can improve your chances of securing a rental property, especially in competitive markets. Some employers also check credit reports for roles, particularly those involving financial responsibility.
Overall, a good credit score gives you more choices, greater flexibility, and access to financial products that can support your goals.
While it’s not the only thing lenders look at, understanding your credit score and how to maintain or improve it is a smart way to protect your financial security.
Key Credit Score Factors That Influence Your Rating
We’ve talked about good UK credit ratings, but what influences your score?
Your credit score is based on many key factors that reflect how you manage your money. Understanding these can help you build and maintain a healthier rating over time.
1. Payment History
This is one of the most important factors. Missed or late payments, especially on credit cards, loans, or utility bills, can negatively impact your score.
2. Credit Utilisation
This refers to how much of your available credit you're using. Experts recommend keeping it below 25-30%. If you use too much of your credit limit regularly, it may signal that you’re experiencing financial stress.
3. Length of Credit History
The longer you’ve had credit accounts open and in good standing, the better. Lenders like to see consistent and reliable credit behaviour over time.
4. Types of Credit
A healthy mix of different credit types, such as credit cards, instalment loans, and utility accounts, can boost your score. This shows that you can handle different forms of borrowing.
5. New Applications
Frequent credit applications within a short timeframe can lower your score slightly, as each one usually triggers a hard credit check.
If you work on improving these factors over time, it can help raise your score and make you more attractive to lenders.
How to Check Your Credit Score in the UK
Checking your credit score is quick, free, and doesn’t affect your rating.
In the UK, you can access your score through any of the three major credit reference agencies, like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, either directly or via third-party platforms.
For example, you can check your Experian score with MoneySavingExpert’s Credit Club, view your Equifax score through ClearScore, and access your TransUnion score via Credit Karma.
These services also provide insights into what’s helping or damaging your score.
It’s worth checking all three, as they may hold slightly different information about you. You’re also entitled to request a free statutory credit report once a year from each agency.
Regularly reviewing your credit score can help you spot errors and monitor changes, allowing you to stay on top of your financial health, especially before applying for credit or making a major purchase.
Tips to Build and Maintain a Good Credit Score
Wondering how to get a good credit score?
This doesn’t happen overnight, but small, consistent actions can steadily strengthen your score over time.
You’ll need to start by paying all your bills and credit commitments on time to show lenders you’re reliable. If you have credit cards, try to keep your balance well below the limit, ideally using less than 25% of your available credit.
You should also avoid applying for too many loans or cards in a short period, as multiple hard checks can lower your score temporarily.
It helps to stay on the electoral roll at your current address, as this improves your credit file’s accuracy and stability.
If you’re new to credit, you could consider using a credit-builder card or a service that reports rent payments to credit agencies. Lastly, checking your credit report from time to time for errors and disputing any inaccuracies is an important part of tracking progress.
Improving Your Score When You Have Debt
Having debt doesn’t necessarily mean your credit score can’t improve. In fact, managing debt well is one of the best ways to build a stronger credit profile.
Firstly, you’ll need to make at least the minimum repayments on time every month to help protect your score and avoid extra charges. If possible, try to pay more than the minimum to reduce your balance faster.
You’ll also need to prioritise high-interest debts first or consider a debt consolidation loan to combine multiple payments into one, more manageable monthly amount.
You should also avoid taking on new credit unless absolutely necessary and try to keep your credit utilisation low.
If you’re considering applying for a Salad loan, remember, we look at real affordability using Open Banking technology, so your current financial habits can still work in your favour, even if your score isn’t perfect.
When is Your Score “Good Enough”?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what makes a credit score good enough, because it depends on what you’re applying for and who you’re applying with.
Generally, a score in the good range for your credit reference agency (e.g. 881+ for Experian, 604+ for TransUnion) gives you access to more lending options at better rates.
However, some lenders may accept lower scores if other parts of your financial profile are strong, showing stable income, low existing debt, or a solid repayment history. However, for mortgages or high-value loans, you may need a very good or excellent score to access the best deals.
The key is understanding that a good score is more about demonstrating responsible financial behaviour.
At Salad, we’re much more interested in assessing actual affordability when approving loans, so we can help people access fair credit - even if their score falls short.
Why Salad Looks Beyond Credit Scores
At Salad, we believe your credit score shouldn’t be the only thing that defines you. Many people are locked out of fair, affordable lending simply because their credit history isn’t perfect, or it’s limited. That’s why we take a different approach.
Instead of relying solely on traditional credit checks, we use Open Banking to assess your real financial situation.
With your permission, we’ll look at your day-to-day income, spending habits, and affordability. This gives us a more complete and up-to-date picture than what a credit score alone can provide.
Whether you’ve faced past financial challenges, are rebuilding your credit, or have never borrowed before, our process is designed to be fair and inclusive. We focus on what you can afford today.
It’s part of our mission to support everyday key workers and those often underserved by mainstream lenders. That’s why we offer credit that’s more responsible and better suited to your real-life circumstances.
