I think that every time you apply for a loan the laon company do a credit seach and these searches show up on your credit rating so to have 5 searches showing up with out any corresponding loans will not help you get a loan as new lenders will worry about why previous potential lenders have refused to lend to you.

I suggest that you speak to a licenced insolvency practitioner who will be able to advise you on your options (they souldn't charge you). An IVA or a debt management plan will do damage to your credit rating but it sounds as it it may already be damaged. You can find insolvency practitioners in your local Yellow Pages. i spoke to several and found a small form local to me who were really helpful (nancollasgreer). I also spoke to a couple of the big IVA companies who only want to talk about IVas and nothing else.

Good luck