The Difference Between Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Credit Reports
11th Sep 2025
When it comes to credit checks in the UK, three main credit reference agencies (CRAs) provide your credit information: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. While they all aim to give lenders an overview of your financial behaviour, their reports can differ in several ways.
Who Are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion?
These three CRAs collect and manage your credit information, including payment history, outstanding debts, and credit applications. Lenders use this data to assess your financial reliability before approving credit products like loans, mortgages, or credit cards.
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Experian is the largest CRA in the UK, used by many major banks and lenders.
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Equifax offers detailed credit reports and is widely used for mortgage and utility applications.
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TransUnion (formerly Callcredit) is growing in popularity among digital lenders and online financial services.
Why Do Credit Scores Differ Between Agencies?
Each CRA may hold slightly different information because not all lenders report to all three agencies. For example, a credit card provider might report to Experian and Equifax but not TransUnion. As a result, your credit score can vary between them.
Additionally, each CRA uses its own scoring system:
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Experian scores range from 0–999.
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Equifax scores range from 0–1,000.
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TransUnion scores range from 0–710.
What Information Is Included in Each Report?
All three agencies collect similar core data, including:
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Personal details (name, address, date of birth).
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Electoral roll information.
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Credit account history.
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Public records such as CCJs or bankruptcies.
However, the level of detail and how frequently data is updated can differ between them.
Which Credit Report Do Lenders Use?
There is no single agency that all lenders rely on. Some use only one CRA, while others check two or even all three before making a decision. This is why it is essential to check your credit reports across all three to ensure accuracy.
How to Check and Improve Your Credit Reports
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Review your reports with all three CRAs regularly.
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Correct any errors by raising a dispute with the relevant agency.
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Keep your credit utilisation low and make timely payments.
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Register on the electoral roll to boost your credit profile.
Conclusion
Although Experian, Equifax and TransUnion credit reports serve the same purpose, the data and scoring systems they use can differ. By understanding how each works and monitoring your reports regularly, you can improve your creditworthiness and increase your chances of loan and mortgage approvals.
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