Many people assume that if they keep applying for finance they will eventually find a company who will accept them. This couldn’t be more incorrect. When searching for finance, multiple applications can be one of the worst mistakes you can make. Each time you make a credit application it leaves a mark on your credit file. This is because the lender will typically carry out a “hard” search, which will leave a footprint on your credit file that other lenders can see. These have a direct impact on your scoring as they show your level of need for credit. If you have too many applications made within the same time period, lenders can be put off by your application as it can seem as though you’re desperate for credit and therefore potentially less likely to make payments on time. The best way to approach finance applications is to do your research before applying and if you know you’re going to apply to more than one, then try and spread these out over a few months. If you want to make comparisons, you can always ask the lender to run a soft search for a quote, which will only be visible to you.