Impact of Missed Payments On Your Creditworthiness

Your payment history is a critical component and forms a core part of your credit score.

Credit reference agencies like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion (formerly Callcredit) place significant emphasis on your payment habits. Missing a payment can lead to Snap reporting the missed payment to these agencies, negatively affecting your credit score.

In the UK, individuals with higher credit scores may experience a more significant drop in their scores following a missed payment compared to those with lower scores. This is because the missed payment represents a significant change in behavior for someone who previously demonstrated reliability in managing credit.

A missed payment can stay on your credit report in the UK for up to six years, affecting your ability to obtain credit during that time. However, its impact on your credit score can decrease over time, especially if you take positive steps such as making consistent, on-time payments subsequently.

Your overall credit health in the UK is also influenced by other factors, including your credit utilisation ratio, the length of your credit history, the types of credit you have, and the number of credit applications you’ve made recently. Improving these aspects can help mitigate the impact of a missed payment.

Catch Up Quickly: Make the overdue payment as soon as possible to minimise the impact.

Communicate with Lenders: If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, contact your lender. Speak to Snap on 03300 104137. We may be able to offer solutions like payment plans that could help you avoid missing payments.

Regularly Check Your Credit Report: Regular monitoring can help you understand your credit score and detect any inaccuracies or fraudulent activities early.

Each credit reference agency in the UK may score you slightly differently, so it's wise to check your credit report with all three to get a comprehensive view of your credit standing.