You may want to check your credit profile before you start applying for car finance. Checking your credit profile doesn’t leave a mark on your file and it can help you understand what lenders will see. It is also a great opportunity to improve your credit score by ensuring that all information held on you is correct and up-to-date. For example, ensuring that out-of-date financial associations don’t have a negative impact on your credit file. Your credit score is an indication of the health of your credit file, and is usually scored out of 1000. The higher the score, the better your credit profile. There are three main credit reference agencies in the UK – Equifax, Experian, and Transunion (formally Call Credit). They hold financial information on you, and are governed by the Information Commissioner’s Office or ICO. Websites like Credit Angel allow you to access your credit report for free for the first 30 days (there is a fee of £19.99 after this, and you can cancel at any time).