In simple terms, a poor credit score is when your score suggests to lenders that you may be a higher-risk borrower. The exact number varies depending on the credit reference agency, but generally, lower scores fall into the “poor” or “very poor” bands. Understanding this can help explain why lenders might be cautious about lending to you or increasing your limit.
Most lenders will check your credit score with one or more of the three main UK credit reference agencies (CRAs) when considering a limit increase.
These are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – and each one scores you a little differently, using its own range and rating system. That said, you’ll probably end up in a similar overall category no matter which agency is used.
Experian increased its maximum score from 999 to 1,250 in November 2025 and changed its score bands. But what’s really interesting is that under this new system, Experian now looks beyond cards and loans, factoring in things like mobile phone payments, overdraft habits, cash withdrawals and mortgage overpayments.
That’s good news if you’ve struggled with credit in the past, as it gives you more ways to show responsible money management, even without lots of traditional borrowing.
Here’s a handy guide to the score ranges used by the main UK credit reference agencies:
Credit agency | Score range | Excellent | Very good | Good | Fair | Low / Poor | Very poor |
|---|
Experian | 0-1,250 | 1,121-1,250 | 1,001-1,120 | 861-1,000 | 641-860 | 0-640 | n/a |
Equifax | 0–1,000 | 811-1,000 | 671-810 | 531-670 | 439-530 | 0-438 | n/a |
TransUnion | 0–710 | 628-710 | n/a | 604–627 | 566–603 | 551-565 | 0-550 |
Other credit reference agencies in the UK
In addition to the main UK credit reference agencies, other providers use alternative data or focus on business credit. Here’s a quick guide to how they work.
Agency | Name of credit score | How it works |
|---|
Crediva | Crediva Score | This score looks beyond the usual credit history, using extra financial info to give a fairer view of your creditworthiness – especially handy if you have little or no traditional credit record. |
Credit Kudos | Signal | Signal taps into Open Banking data and smart algorithms to see how you manage your money and predict your likelihood of repayment. Credit Kudos say it gives lenders a fuller picture of your financial behaviour with the intention of boosting acceptance levels. |
Dun & Bradstreet | Dun & Bradstreet Score | Every business has a credit score that tracks payment history, balances, transactions, and more. D&B use this information to calculate business credit scores and ratings, which lenders, suppliers, and partners can check to assess financial health. |
Knowing where your credit score sits can give you a better sense of your financial health and how close you are to moving up to the next category. Sometimes, just a small tweak to your finances can make a big difference!
Remember, your credit score isn’t the full story.
If you go on to apply for a bigger personal loan in the future, lenders will usually take a much broader look at your overall credit history. They’ll see your score, of course, but it’s just one part of the bigger picture. Things like your payment history, current borrowing and how you manage your accounts all play a role in their decision.
