A credit report is one of those things that most people know exists, but don’t think about until they’re applying for something, like a credit card.
That’s usually when questions start popping up about what lenders can see and how it might affect your application.
If you’ve ever wondered, ‘What is a credit report?’, or ‘How do you get a credit report?’, then you’re in the right place! This guide breaks down what your credit report includes, who can see it, and why keeping an eye on it can help protect your credit score.
How Far Back Does a Credit Report Go?
One of the most common questions is how far back a credit report goes.
In the UK, most information stays on your credit report for around six years.
This includes:
Missed payments
Defaults
County Court Judgments (CCJs)
Insolvencies
After six years, this information is usually removed automatically. This means older financial issues do not affect your credit score forever, although recent financial behaviour has the most impact.
Some information, such as active credit accounts and current agreements, remains on your credit report for as long as the account is open.
Who Can See Your Credit Report?
Your credit report is not public, but it can be accessed by organisations with a legitimate reason — usually when you apply for credit.
These may include:
Banks and lenders
Credit card providers
Mortgage providers
Mobile phone contract providers
Utility companies
Insurance providers
In most cases, if you are applying for credit or a financial service, the provider will check your credit report as part of their assessment.
What Information Shows Up on a Credit Report?
Your credit report is made up of several sections, compiled by credit reference agencies (CRAs).
Your Personal Details
This includes:
Your name and date of birth
Current and previous addresses
Electoral register status
Being registered to vote at your current address helps confirm your identity and can support your credit profile.
Your Credit Accounts
This section shows how you manage credit and may include:
Credit cards
Loans and overdrafts
Mortgages
Utility accounts
Mobile phone contracts
Public Record Information
This includes more serious financial events such as:
County Court Judgments (CCJs)
Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs)
Bankruptcies
These can remain on your credit report for up to six years and may have a significant impact on your credit score.
Credit Searches
Whenever you apply for credit, a search may be recorded:
Hard searches – visible to lenders and may affect your credit score
Soft searches – only visible to you and do not affect your score
Multiple credit applications in a short period can signal higher risk to lenders, so it may be helpful to space applications out where possible.
Fraud Markers and Notes
If fraud has been linked to your identity, a protective marker may appear on your credit report.
You can also add a notice of correction, which is a short statement explaining unusual circumstances or disputed information.
What Doesn’t Show Up on Your Credit Report?
Your credit report does not include:
Your salary
Savings or current account balances
Student loans (in most cases)
Council tax arrears
Parking fines
Criminal records
Medical history
What’s the Difference Between a Credit Report and a Credit Score?
These terms are often confused, but they are not the same.
Credit Report | Credit Score |
Full breakdown of your credit history | A number based on your credit report |
Shows accounts, payments and public records | Summarises your creditworthiness |
Used by lenders to assess applications | Not directly seen by all lenders |
Updated as new information is added | Changes based on report data |
Your credit report is the detailed information lenders use. Your credit score is a simplified summary of that information.
Does Checking Your Credit Report Affect Your Score?
No.
When you check your own credit report, it is recorded as a soft search, which does not affect your credit score.
In fact, regularly checking your credit report can help you:
Spot mistakes or outdated information
Identify potential fraud early
Understand what is influencing your credit score
What Is a Statutory Credit Report?
A statutory credit report is the basic credit report you are legally entitled to access for free in the UK.
It contains core credit information but does not usually include extras such as alerts, scores, or analysis tools.
It is useful for a snapshot view, but many people prefer ongoing access to track changes over time.
How Do You Get a Credit Report?
You can request a statutory credit report directly from credit reference agencies, or you can use CreditKnowledge to view your credit information in one place and monitor changes over time.
Using CreditKnowledge allows you to:
Check your credit report whenever you like
Track changes as they happen
Spot unusual activity early
Access your credit report securely here
How Much Does It Cost for a Full Credit Report?
A statutory credit report, and your CreditKnowledge credit report, are free. With CreditKnowledge, you also get access to a range of tools and features designed to help you improve your credit profile, including a score simulator, credit alerts, and CreditKoach, all with no cost.
Related Guides
Explore related topics to further build your CreditKnowledge:
Why Has My Credit Score Gone Down?
Can I Improve My Credit Score?
How to Build Your Credit Score in the UK
CreditKnowledge is a credit broker, not a lender.
Editorial Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. It is not intended to provide personalised recommendations or guarantees of any outcome, including changes to your credit score or approval decisions from lenders. Credit scoring models and lending decisions vary between providers and are based on a range of factors.
This content reflects general information at the time of publication and is not endorsed by any bank, lender, or financial institution. You should always consider your own circumstances and, where appropriate, seek independent financial advice before making financial decisions. Nothing in this content should be interpreted as a recommendation to take, or refrain from taking, any specific financial action.
Page Last Reviewed: 10.05.2026