Why credit scores differ between agencies

In the UK, credit scores are calculated by three main credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

Each agency uses its own scoring system and may hold slightly different information, which is why your credit score can vary between providers.

Different scoring models

Each credit reference agency uses its own scoring model. This means the same information can be weighted differently, resulting in different scores.

For example, one agency may place more emphasis on recent payment behaviour, while another may focus more on overall credit utilisation.

Different data sources

Not all lenders report to all three credit reference agencies. Some lenders only share data with one or two agencies.

As a result, the information shown on each credit report may not be identical.

Which credit score do lenders use?

Most lenders don’t rely on a single credit score. Instead, they use their own internal assessment criteria.

This typically includes affordability checks, income, recent financial behaviour, and the details within your credit report — not just the headline score.