Free credit check
Check your credit score for free and get hints on how to improve it.
Borrowing with bad credit
Borrow even with a bad credit score
MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker not a lender. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident. Representative 29.9% APR.
In the UK
31%
of adults have a bad credit score, according to Aqua
With responsible borrowing you could start to improve your credit score in as little as
3-6 months
Do I really have bad credit?
If you're not sure what your credit score is, you can check it for free with our credit score service. It's quick, and you'll even get tips about how to boost your score.
What score is considered 'bad' depends on the credit agency. For Experian anything below 720 is considered a bad score. For Trans Union anything below 579 is considered bad, and for Trans Union it's 565. Our guide to bad credit scores can give you more detail.
Borrowing with bad credit is only a good idea if you are confident that you can repay the money according to the terms of the credit card or loan. If you can't make the repayments, further borrowing can hurt your credit score even more.
You're not alone
It’s completely normal to worry about your credit score. You’re not alone. In 2024 31% of UK adults had bad credit, according to research by Aqua.
There are simple steps you can take to turn things around. By checking your credit report, making payments on time, and using credit carefully, you can start rebuilding your score and improving your chances of being accepted for better credit cards and loan deals in the future.
MoneySuperMarket is here to help.
Bad credit need to knows
Bad credit doesn't mean no credit
“Bad credit” means you’ve had credit in the past but your history includes missed payments, defaults, or other negative markers.
“No credit” means you haven’t built up a history at all, so lenders don’t have enough data to judge how reliable you are.
While both can make borrowing more difficult, they’re not the same.
Interest rates may be higher
Interest rates are usually higher on credit cards and loans for people with bad credit, because lenders see them as a bigger risk.
You can improve your score over time
You can improve your credit score over time by borrowing carefully and making regular repayments on time. You can also do simple things to improve your score such as registering to vote.
A soft search won't affect your credit score
With MoneySuperMarket you can search and compare loans and credit cards using a soft search that won’t harm your credit score.
How to improve your credit score
-
Check your credit score
See where you stand and spot anything that could be holding you back. Check your credit report for free and monitor progress over time.
-
Make payments on time
Paying your bills, credit cards, and loans on time shows lenders you can manage money responsibly.
-
Use credit carefully
Use only a small portion of the credit available to you and avoid making lots of applications at once. Sensible borrowing helps build trust.
Reviewed on 30 Dec 2025