Plain-English guide
Soft Search vs Hard Search: What's the Difference?
The difference between a soft search and a hard search — and which one leaves a mark on your credit file.
A soft search checks your credit file without leaving a visible mark, while a hard search is recorded and can slightly lower your score. Lenders use a soft search to pre-qualify you and a hard search when you formally apply.
Here's exactly how each works, whether they hurt your score, and how to apply for car finance without damaging your credit.
What is the difference between a soft search and a hard search?
A soft search is a background check that only you can see and that doesn't affect your score, while a hard search is visible to lenders and can lower it slightly. The difference is what gets recorded on your file.
A soft search lets a lender estimate whether you'd likely be approved, without leaving a footprint others can see. A hard search is logged on your file for about a year and tells other lenders you applied for credit. Both look at the same data — only the visibility and the impact differ.
What is a soft search?
A soft search is a credit check that doesn't leave a visible footprint and doesn't change your score. Eligibility checkers and 'check my chances' tools use them.
You can run as many soft searches as you like with no effect on your file, which is why a no-obligation eligibility check is the safe first step. Our eligibility estimate works the same way — it gives you an indicative figure with no credit check and no mark on your file.
What is a hard search?
A hard search is a full credit check that's recorded on your file and can lower your score by a few points. Lenders run one when you formally apply for finance.
A single hard search has only a small, short-lived effect. The risk is several in a short space of time, which can look like you're desperate for credit and worry lenders. The mark stays visible to others for about 12 months, then fades from view.
Does applying for car finance hurt your score?
A car finance application leaves one hard search, which dents your score by a few points for a short time — not enough to matter on its own. The harm comes from many applications close together.
- Use a soft-search eligibility check first to gauge your odds with no mark.
- Apply for one deal at a time, not several at once.
- Space applications out so hard searches don't cluster.
- Avoid applying for other credit in the weeks around a car finance application.
Check your chances without a hard search
You can gauge how much you could borrow without a hard search by using a soft-search estimate. That keeps your file clean until you're ready to apply.
Run the eligibility estimate for an indicative borrowing figure with no credit impact, and read what checks are done for the full list of what a lender looks at when you apply.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between a soft search and a hard search?
Does a soft search affect your credit score?
Does applying for car finance hurt your credit score?
How can you check car finance eligibility without a hard search?
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