Every time a lender checks your credit report, an enquiry is recorded. Hard enquiries come from credit applications and can affect your score; soft enquiries do not.
Key takeaways
- Applying for a loan or card creates a hard enquiry.
- Checking your own score, or a lender's pre-approval check, is usually a soft enquiry.
- Several hard enquiries in a short period can signal credit hunger and lower approval odds.
- Enquiries stay visible on your report for a period but their impact fades.
Hard vs soft enquiry
| Feature | Hard enquiry | Soft enquiry |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Loan/card application | Self-check, pre-approved offer screening |
| Visible to lenders | Yes | Generally only to you |
| Impact on score | Small, temporary | None |
Rate-shopping without damage
- Use eligibility checkers that do soft pulls.
- Shortlist 2–3 lenders; apply within a short window.
- Avoid applying to many lenders "just to see".
- Space out new card applications by several months.
Reading enquiries on your report
Each report lists the lender, date and purpose. If you see an enquiry you did not authorise, it may indicate misuse of your details — dispute it with the bureau and the lender.
Your action checklist
- Download your free credit report from at least one bureau every year.
- Keep card utilisation below 30% and never miss a due date.
- Space out credit applications by several months.
- Raise disputes for any incorrect account or enquiry with supporting documents.
- Keep your oldest card open and active with small, regular spends.
FAQs
How much does one enquiry lower my score?
Typically a small amount; the effect is larger if you have a thin file or many recent enquiries.
Does a rejected application hurt more?
The enquiry is recorded either way; rejection itself is not reported, but multiple applications can be.
