Experian vs Equifax: Which Credit Score Matters?

The score that counts depends on context

There is no single best UK credit score. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each use different scales and models, so a number that looks healthy with one can look weak with another. That is why the most useful question is not which score matters, but which score matters for the decision you are trying to influence.

Lenders in the UK typically do not use the headline scores you see in your app. They review your full credit report data from one or more agencies, alongside their own internal criteria. Your score is an estimate of how a typical lender might view you, not a universal pass or fail. Still, scores are helpful indicators when you read them within each agency’s own bands.

Across the UK, average scores differ. Experian’s average sits around 797 on its 0-999 scale, which falls in its Fair band. Equifax’s average is roughly 644 on its 0-1,000 scale, which lands in its Good band. That apparent contradiction exists because the scales are different. TransUnion runs on a 0-710 scale, again with its own banding.

Experian is also updating its scoring range to 0-1,250, reflecting more granular insights such as mobile payments, overdraft management and mortgage overpayments. Many people will see changes, including possible drops, without any negative shift in their underlying behaviour. That makes it more important to track your profile with the agency itself rather than rely on a single app snapshot.

The smartest move is to compare your position within each agency’s bands, not across them.

Short standout: Focus on building solid history across all three, not chasing one magic number.

Quick comparison at a glance

Regional patterns matter too. Some UK areas average higher Experian scores than others, and age also plays a role. Use local comparisons as a sense check, but remember that individual lender criteria vary.

Who benefits from this guide

If you live in the UK and want clearer mortgage, car finance or credit card decisions, this guide is for you. Perhaps you checked your Experian score and felt confident, only to find a lender referencing Equifax or TransUnion instead. Or you saw two very different numbers on two apps and wondered which one is real. We explain what each agency’s numbers mean, how lenders interpret your report, and what practical steps can genuinely improve your approval odds. Whether you are new to credit or rebuilding after a setback, you will learn how to benchmark yourself sensibly and act with purpose.

Practical routes you can take

1. Check your reports with all three agencies and note discrepancies.

2. Benchmark within each agency’s bands instead of comparing numbers.

3. Set up payment reminders and reduce persistent overdraft use.

4. Register on the electoral roll at your current UK address.

5. Lower credit utilisation to under 30 percent across cards.

6. Keep older, well-managed accounts open to lengthen history.

7. Add regular bills to credit-building services where appropriate.

8. Review soft search eligibility tools before applying for credit.

9. Monitor Experian’s shift to 1,250 and reassess your position.

10. Use a broker to match your profile with suitable lenders.

What it costs, what it changes, and the trade-offs

Who is eligible and what lenders really look at

UK lenders primarily assess the underlying report data: payment history, credit utilisation, length of credit, recent applications and any negative markers such as defaults or CCJs. The headline score is a guide produced by the agency, not the number a lender plugs in. Because each lender weighs factors differently, you could be declined by one and accepted by another on the same day.

Eligibility improves when you demonstrate reliability across the fundamentals. That includes being on the electoral roll at your current address, paying at least the minimum on time every month, keeping card balances proportionate to your limits, and spacing out applications. If you have a thin file, adding verified payment data or a well-managed, low-limit card can help build depth.

Kandoo, as a UK-based retail finance broker, can help you sense check your profile against multiple lenders and avoid scattergun applications. Using soft search tools first is a practical way to understand where you stand without adding unnecessary hard checks. As Experian transitions to a 1,250 scale, revisit your position with each agency to keep your expectations aligned with how lenders will view you.

Steps to navigate your next application

1. Download all three credit reports and note differences.

2. Fix any errors with the relevant agency promptly.

3. Cut utilisation below 30 percent, ideally nearer 10-20.

4. Bring all accounts up to date and keep them current.

5. Join the electoral roll at your present UK address.

6. Use a broker’s soft search to check likely acceptance.

7. Apply once you match lender criteria with confidence.

8. Keep monitoring and avoid multiple hard searches.

Pros and cons to weigh up

Read this before you press apply

Hard searches within a short window can chip away at your acceptance odds, especially if you are already near a lender’s threshold. Spread out applications and use soft searches to gauge eligibility first. If your Experian score shifts due to the move toward 1,250, do not panic. Focus on whether your report is improving on the fundamentals. Regional averages and national benchmarks are useful guides, but lenders judge your individual profile, not your postcode. Finally, keep older, well-managed accounts open if possible, as length of history is a quiet but powerful driver of lender confidence. Be wary of quick fixes that promise overnight jumps; sustainable habits nearly always outperform short-term hacks.

Alternatives if your score is not there yet

1. Consider a credit builder card with a low limit and pay in full.

2. Ask your current bank about an overdraft review once balances fall.

3. Explore guarantor or joint applications where appropriate and affordable.

4. Build savings and delay borrowing to secure better terms later.

5. Look at secured lending options if suitable and fully understood.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Which score do UK lenders use, Experian or Equifax? A: Neither score directly. Lenders assess your full report data, often from one or more agencies, then apply their own criteria. Scores are indicators, not final decisions.

Q: Why is my Equifax score higher than my Experian score? A: The scales and models differ. For example, 644 on Equifax is in its Good band, while 797 on Experian sits in its Fair band. Compare your position within each agency’s bands.

Q: What are the key bandings I should know? A: Experian: Excellent 961-999, Good 881-960, Fair 721-880. Equifax: Excellent 811-1,000, Very Good 671-810, Good 531-670. TransUnion defines Good around 604-627.

Q: Is Experian changing its scoring system? A: Yes. Experian is expanding to a 0-1,250 scale that incorporates more behaviours, such as mobile payment patterns and overdraft use. Some users may see their score drop without any real deterioration.

Q: How can I raise my acceptance odds quickly? A: Pay on time, cut utilisation, fix report errors, and use soft search tools to target lenders aligned with your profile. Avoid multiple hard searches in quick succession.

Q: Should I pay for a premium credit monitoring service? A: Optional. Free statutory reports give you the core data. Paid plans can add alerts and guidance that help you act sooner, which can be worthwhile during active applications.

How Kandoo can help you move forward

Kandoo is a UK-based retail finance broker that helps match your profile to lenders who are more likely to say yes. We use soft search tools where possible, reducing unnecessary hard checks, and guide you on practical improvements that can lower the APR you pay. If you are planning a major purchase, speak to Kandoo early to position your application for the best outcome.

Important information

This guide is for general information only and is not financial advice. Lender criteria change and acceptance is not guaranteed. Always check your latest reports with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion before applying, and consider independent advice for your circumstances.