Which credit reference agency do UK lenders use?

Lenders can use any combination of Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Most check at least one, many check two, and some check all three. There's no way to know which a specific lender uses without asking.

Why is my credit score different on each agency?

Each agency has its own scoring system, different data (not all creditors report to all three), and different score ranges. A 'good' score means different numbers on each. Focus on the factors affecting your score, not the number itself.

Do I need to check all three credit reference agencies?

Ideally, yes. Different lenders report to different agencies, so your file may vary between them. At minimum, check all three annually or before major credit applications.

How can I check my credit score for free?

Experian: Free basic account or via Money Saving Expert's Credit Club. Equifax: Free via ClearScore. TransUnion: Free via Credit Karma. All three offer free statutory reports by post.

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Experian vs Equifax vs TransUnion — UK Credit Reference Agencies Compared

Compare the three UK credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Find out which to check, how scores differ, and how to access free reports.

By PocketWise · 23 March 2026 · 4 min read

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The UK has three main credit reference agencies, each with their own score and data. Here’s how they compare and why you should check all three.

The Three UK Credit Reference Agencies

Agency	Score Range	Free Access	Paid Access
Experian	0-999	Basic score	£14.99/month for full report
Equifax	0-1000	Via ClearScore	£14.95/month direct
TransUnion	0-710	Via Credit Karma	£14.99/month direct

How to Check Each Agency Free

Experian (0-999 Scale)

Method	What You Get	Cost
Experian.co.uk free account	Score only	Free
MSE Credit Club	Score + basic report	Free
Experian Premium	Full report + alerts	£14.99/month

Access free: moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub or experian.co.uk

Equifax (0-1000 Scale)

Method	What You Get	Cost
ClearScore.com	Full report + score	Free
Equifax direct	Full report	£14.95/month

Access free: clearscore.com

TransUnion (0-710 Scale)

Method	What You Get	Cost
Credit Karma UK	Full report + score	Free
TransUnion direct	Full report	£14.99/month

Access free: creditkarma.co.uk

Credit Score Comparison

What’s a “Good” Score?

Rating	Experian (0-999)	Equifax (0-1000)	TransUnion (0-710)
Excellent	961-999	811-1000	628-710
Good	881-960	671-810	566-627
Fair	721-880	531-670	471-565
Poor	561-720	439-530	300-470
Very Poor	0-560	0-438	0-299

Same Person, Different Scores

Your scores will likely differ across agencies. Example:

Agency	Score	Rating
Experian	872	Good
Equifax	743	Good
TransUnion	598	Good

All three indicate “Good” credit despite very different numbers.

Why Scores Differ Between Agencies

1. Different Data

Not all creditors report to all agencies:

Creditor Type	Typical Reporting
Big banks	All three agencies
Credit cards	Usually all three
Small lenders	May report to only one or two
Utility companies	Variable
BNPL providers	Increasingly all three
Payday lenders	Often all three

2. Different Scoring Models

Each agency calculates scores differently:

Factor	May Be Weighted Differently
Payment history	Varies
Credit utilisation	Varies
Account age	Varies
Credit mix	Varies
Recent applications	Varies

3. Different Update Schedules

Data doesn’t update simultaneously across agencies.

What Information Each Agency Holds

Common Data (All Three)

Electoral roll registration
Court records (CCJs, bankruptcies)
Search history (credit applications)
Current accounts with overdrafts
Credit cards
Loans
Mortgages

Potentially Different Data

Information	May Vary
Small lender accounts	Some only report to one agency
Utility accounts	Not all report to all
BNPL	Coverage improving
Fintech accounts	Variable
Historical data	Timing of updates

Which Agency Do Lenders Use?

The Reality

Fact	Detail
No standard	Each lender chooses which to check
Often multiple	Many check 2-3 agencies
Cannot predict	Lenders rarely disclose which they use
Different products	Same lender may use different agencies for different products

Known Preferences (General)

These are general patterns, not guarantees:

Lender Type	Often Uses
High street banks	Multiple agencies
Credit card companies	Often Experian
Mortgages	Typically all three
Car finance	Variable
Mobile contracts	Variable

Which Agency Matters Most?

Short Answer

All three matter. You can’t control which a lender will check.

Strategy

Check all three — at least annually
Fix errors on all three — dispute inaccuracies everywhere
Improve factors, not scores — underlying finances matter
Don’t obsess over numbers — lenders use their own models

Improving Your Score Across All Agencies

Universal Good Practices

Action	Effect
Pay on time, every time	Biggest factor on all three
Keep credit utilisation under 30%	Improves all scores
Don’t apply too frequently	Reduces searches on all files
Stay on electoral roll	Verified on all agencies
Keep old accounts open	Credit history length helps
Mix of credit types	Mortgage, card, loan shows variety

Agency-Specific Considerations

Agency	Notable Feature
Experian	Most comprehensive reports, widely used
Equifax	Good coverage of utilities via Loqate
TransUnion	Growing fintech coverage

How to Dispute Errors

Process (Same for All)

Identify the error — download your report
Gather evidence — payment receipts, correspondence
File dispute online — through agency website
Wait for investigation — usually 28 days
Check outcome — agency will update file
Escalate if needed — Financial Ombudsman

Contact Details

Agency	Dispute Contact
Experian	experian.co.uk/disputes
Equifax	Via ClearScore or equifax.co.uk
TransUnion	Via Credit Karma or transunion.co.uk

Key Rule

Dispute directly with the data source (the creditor) for fastest resolution. Agencies investigate, but the creditor must confirm corrections.

You can limit some data sharing:

Service	What It Does
CIFAS Protective Registration	Limits data access (for fraud victims)
Opt out of marketing	Reduces soft searches
Request no pre-approved offers	Limits promotional checks

Statutory Reports

You’re legally entitled to a free statutory report from each agency:

Agency	How to Request	Format
Experian	Phone or post	Written report
Equifax	Phone or post	Written report
TransUnion	Phone or post	Written report

Note: Online free services are easier and more detailed than statutory reports.

Our Recommendations

Situation	Check
Routine monitoring	All three quarterly
Before mortgage application	All three, 6 months ahead
After identity theft	All three immediately
Dispute on one file	Check if error exists on others too
Annual review	All three at minimum

Best Free Combination

MSE Credit Club — Experian score + basic report
ClearScore — Equifax full report
Credit Karma — TransUnion full report

Cost: £0

Summary

Key Point	Detail
Three agencies	Experian, Equifax, TransUnion
All accessible free	Use ClearScore, Credit Karma, MSE
Scores differ	Same person, different numbers
Check all three	Can’t predict which lenders use
Improve behaviours	Not agency-specific tricks
Dispute everywhere	Errors can appear on any agency