When you hear credit score range, a numerical measure lenders use to judge how likely you are to repay debt. Also known as FICO score, it’s not just a number—it’s your financial reputation. In the UK, most lenders use scores between 300 and 850, but the exact scale can vary by agency. A score under 580 is considered poor, 580–669 is fair, 670–739 is good, 740–799 is very good, and 800+ is excellent. But knowing your range doesn’t help unless you understand what moves it.
Your credit report, the detailed record of your borrowing and repayment history is what builds your score. Late payments, high balances, and too many new accounts drag it down. On the flip side, paying on time, keeping balances low, and having a mix of credit types—like a credit card and a loan—helps it climb. Many people think closing old cards helps, but it actually shortens your credit history, which can hurt more than it helps. Your credit history, the length of time you’ve been using credit matters almost as much as your payment record. Even if you’ve had a rough patch, time and consistency can rebuild it.
Some think checking your score lowers it, but that’s not true. Pulling your own report is a soft inquiry—it leaves no mark. Hard inquiries, like when you apply for a new card or loan, do. Too many in a short time can signal risk. You’re allowed one free report a year in the UK, but services like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion now offer free weekly updates. Use them. If you see errors—like a debt that’s paid off still showing as unpaid—dispute it. Fixing one mistake can jump your score by 50 points or more.
Debt consolidation doesn’t erase bad credit, but it can help if you use it right. If you pay off high-interest cards with a lower-rate loan and then keep those cards open (but don’t use them), your credit utilization drops, and your score often rises. But if you max out those cards again? You’re back to square one. The same goes for student loans. Miss a payment? It shows up. Stay on track? It builds trust. Even home insurance quotes can trigger soft pulls—so shopping around won’t hurt your score, but applying for multiple credit cards in a week might.
What’s the point of knowing your credit score range? It affects everything: whether you get approved for a credit card, what interest rate you pay, even how much deposit you need for a rental. A score in the 700s can save you hundreds—or thousands—over time. You don’t need to be rich to have a great score. You just need to be consistent. Pay what you owe, when you owe it. Keep balances low. Don’t open credit you don’t need. And don’t ignore your report. The fixes aren’t complicated. They’re just daily habits.
Below, you’ll find real stories and data from people who’ve turned their scores around, broken down by what actually worked—and what didn’t. No fluff. Just what moves the needle.
An 800 credit score isn't as rare as you think-about 1 in 10 New Zealanders have one. Find out what it really means, how to get there, and what benefits it actually gives you in 2025.
