Credit scores: soft searches vs. hard searches
Learn how credit checks affect your score and what really happens when lenders look you up.
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Credit Checks: What Lenders See
When you apply for credit - like a loan, mortgage, or even a mobile phone contract - lenders want to see how risky it'd be to lend to you. To do that, they run a credit check, but not in the same way every time. Some checks are soft, some are hard - and the difference matters. In this guide, you'll learn what they are, how they impact your credit score, and how to stay in control.
Soft searches: checking credit without hassle
Soft searches (also called soft checks) let companies see your credit history without affecting your credit score. Essentially, this is a quick look at your credit report. It doesn't leave a mark other lenders can see, and it won't harm your credit score. You'll often see soft checks used for pre-approvals or eligibility.
- Doesn't affect your credit score at all
- Only visible to you, not to lenders
- Used by lenders to assess initial eligibility
- Happens when you check your own score or use comparison tools
- Won't impact future applications
Hard searches: when credit checks get serious
When you apply for credit, the lender does a deep dive into your credit file. This is know as a hard search - and unlike soft searches, it's recorded on your report and visible to other lenders. Too many hard searches in a short time can make you look desperate for credit - even if you're not.
- Shows up on your credit file for 12 months
- Visible to other lenders checking your credit
- Can slightly reduce your credit score temporarily
- Happens when you apply for loans, credit cards, mortgages, etc.
- Too many in a short time is a red flag to lenders
How to protect your score while shopping for credit
You don't have to fear credit checks. The key is knowing when they're happening and how to manage them. A few smart habits can help you compare lenders and secure the best deal without damaging your score.
- Use eligibility checkers or comparison sites that use soft searches
- Don't apply for multiple loans or credit cards at once
- Space out applications if you're rejected - wait at least a few months
- Regularly check your own credit report to spot any issues early
- Know which lenders offer "soft search first" approvals
Summing up
Understanding the difference between soft and hard searches can help you protect your credit score. Use soft searches to shop around, and only go ahead with a hard search when you're ready to apply. Lenders take your credit behaviour seriously - so being smart about when and how they check you can make all the difference in getting approved.
Frequently Asked Questions: Secured Loans
What do lenders see with a soft credit check?
When a lender carries out a soft check, they only see a limited snapshot of your credit file. This usually includes basic details like your name, address, credit score, and any major red flags (like bankruptcies or CCJs). They can't see your full borrowing history or detailed account data. Soft checks are used to assess whether you might qualify - without affecting your score or being visible to other lenders.
What do lenders see with a soft credit check?
When a lender carries out a soft check, they only see a limited snapshot of your credit file. This usually includes basic details like your name, address, credit score, and any major red flags (like bankruptcies or CCJs). They can't see your full borrowing history or detailed account data. Soft checks are used to assess whether you might qualify - without affecting your score or being visible to other lenders.
What do lenders see with a hard credit check?
A hard check gives the lender full access to your credit file. They'll see your credit accounts, current balances, payment history, missed payments, defaults, credit applications, and any financial associations. It's a complete view of how you manage credit. Hard searches stay on your credit report for 12 months, and other lenders can see them - so too many in a short period can be a warning sign.
What do lenders see with a hard credit check?
A hard check gives the lender full access to your credit file. They'll see your credit accounts, current balances, payment history, missed payments, defaults, credit applications, and any financial associations. It's a complete view of how you manage credit. Hard searches stay on your credit report for 12 months, and other lenders can see them - so too many in a short period can be a warning sign.
What do lenders see with a hard credit check?
A hard check gives the lender full access to your credit file. They'll see your credit accounts, current balances, payment history, missed payments, defaults, credit applications, and any financial associations. It's a complete view of how you manage credit. Hard searches stay on your credit report for 12 months, and other lenders can see them - so too many in a short period can be a warning sign.
What do lenders see with a hard credit check?
A hard check gives the lender full access to your credit file. They'll see your credit accounts, current balances, payment history, missed payments, defaults, credit applications, and any financial associations. It's a complete view of how you manage credit. Hard searches stay on your credit report for 12 months, and other lenders can see them - so too many in a short period can be a warning sign.
How can I tell if a lender will run a soft or hard search?
Most lenders will state this clearly before you apply. If you're using a loan comparison site or checking eligibility, it's usually a soft search. But once you formally apply for credit, a hard search is almost always triggered. Look out for terms like "won't affect your credit score" (soft search) or "we'll run a full credit check" (hard search). When in doubt, ask the lender directly.
How can I tell if a lender will run a soft or hard search?
Most lenders will state this clearly before you apply. If you're using a loan comparison site or checking eligibility, it's usually a soft search. But once you formally apply for credit, a hard search is almost always triggered. Look out for terms like "won't affect your credit score" (soft search) or "we'll run a full credit check" (hard search). When in doubt, ask the lender directly.
How can I tell if a lender will run a soft or hard search?
Most lenders will state this clearly before you apply. If you're using a loan comparison site or checking eligibility, it's usually a soft search. But once you formally apply for credit, a hard search is almost always triggered. Look out for terms like "won't affect your credit score" (soft search) or "we'll run a full credit check" (hard search). When in doubt, ask the lender directly.
How can I tell if a lender will run a soft or hard search?
Most lenders will state this clearly before you apply. If you're using a loan comparison site or checking eligibility, it's usually a soft search. But once you formally apply for credit, a hard search is almost always triggered. Look out for terms like "won't affect your credit score" (soft search) or "we'll run a full credit check" (hard search). When in doubt, ask the lender directly.
How can I tell if a lender will run a soft or hard search?
Most lenders will state this clearly before you apply. If you're using a loan comparison site or checking eligibility, it's usually a soft search. But once you formally apply for credit, a hard search is almost always triggered. Look out for terms like "won't affect your credit score" (soft search) or "we'll run a full credit check" (hard search). When in doubt, ask the lender directly.
Can I get a secured loan with a poor credit history?
It's possible, yes. Secured loans are often accessible to people with poor or limited credit history because the loan is backed by your home. This reduces the risk to the lender - but you may not get the most competitive interest rates, and your borrowing limit could be lower. Make sure you can comfortably afford repayments, especially if you're trying to rebuild your credit profile.
Can I get a secured loan with a poor credit history?
It's possible, yes. Secured loans are often accessible to people with poor or limited credit history because the loan is backed by your home. This reduces the risk to the lender - but you may not get the most competitive interest rates, and your borrowing limit could be lower. Make sure you can comfortably afford repayments, especially if you're trying to rebuild your credit profile.
Can I get a secured loan with a poor credit history?
It's possible, yes. Secured loans are often accessible to people with poor or limited credit history because the loan is backed by your home. This reduces the risk to the lender - but you may not get the most competitive interest rates, and your borrowing limit could be lower. Make sure you can comfortably afford repayments, especially if you're trying to rebuild your credit profile.
Can I get a secured loan with a poor credit history?
It's possible, yes. Secured loans are often accessible to people with poor or limited credit history because the loan is backed by your home. This reduces the risk to the lender - but you may not get the most competitive interest rates, and your borrowing limit could be lower. Make sure you can comfortably afford repayments, especially if you're trying to rebuild your credit profile.
How long do hard searches affect my credit score?
A hard search stays on your credit report for 12 months, but its impact usually fades much sooner - often after just a few months. If you apply for several credit products in a short time, the overall effect could lower your score for a time. That's why it's best to space out applications and use soft searches first to check your chances of approval before applying.
How long do hard searches affect my credit score?
A hard search stays on your credit report for 12 months, but its impact usually fades much sooner - often after just a few months. If you apply for several credit products in a short time, the overall effect could lower your score for a time. That's why it's best to space out applications and use soft searches first to check your chances of approval before applying.
How long do hard searches affect my credit score?
A hard search stays on your credit report for 12 months, but its impact usually fades much sooner - often after just a few months. If you apply for several credit products in a short time, the overall effect could lower your score for a time. That's why it's best to space out applications and use soft searches first to check your chances of approval before applying.
How long do hard searches affect my credit score?
A hard search stays on your credit report for 12 months, but its impact usually fades much sooner - often after just a few months. If you apply for several credit products in a short time, the overall effect could lower your score for a time. That's why it's best to space out applications and use soft searches first to check your chances of approval before applying.
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