Representative 30.9% APR
We understand how frustrating it is to be caught in a situation where you're judged by a number - or simply a lack of one. If you don't have much of a credit history, it can feel like you're being penalised for something largely beyond your control. And that's not fair.
But you're not alone. We hear it all the time. Mainstream lenders might say a thin credit history means you can't be trusted with a car finance loan, but not us. Here at First Response Finance, we look beyond your credit score to see the full picture, and the real you.
Just because you haven't had the chance to prove yourself as a borrower yet doesn't mean you shouldn't get that opportunity. We like to think we offer a fairer way to finance.
Yes! But it all depends on your situation and the lender you apply with. If you've already been refused car finance, this is probably because some providers have strict, rigid borrowing criteria. A non-existent or 'thin' credit file is a big red flag for traditional lenders like banks and dealerships.
Our approach is different, though. Here at First Response Finance, we don't focus on your borrowing history or credit score alone, but also on what you can realistically afford today and moving forward. We'll consider your income, outgoings, and various other factors to see what's manageable for you before we make a decision about your application.
We make the process as simple and transparent as possible, so you know exactly what you're signing up for - especially if you haven't borrowed money before.
All our car finance loans are Hire Purchase (HP) agreements. Once you've applied, we'll let you know if we can help. If we can, you'll follow these simple steps:
If you've got little to no credit history, lenders may charge you a higher interest rate on car finance loans compared to someone with a stronger credit score.
But the total cost of your car finance agreement won't depend solely on your credit score. The size of your repayments and the overall amount you'll pay back will also depend on factors like:
Select the option that best describes your credit rating.
There are no additional fees
Representative
28.9% APR
We use Experian, one of the UK's top credit reference agencies, to run our credit checks. This helps us to understand your credit history, which is one of several factors we take into consideration when making a decision on your approval for vehicle finance.
It's a valid question - many lenders wouldn't think twice about turning you away. So, what makes us different?
Our Head of Sales, Jonathan, shares his thoughts:
"For many people, the traditional credit system can feel like a catch-22. You need to borrow money to build a score, but you need a score to borrow money. This is especially frustrating for recent graduates, young professionals, or anyone who hasn't yet had the chance to build their financial record.
"We know that a lack of credit history doesn't reflect your character or how responsible you are with money - it's just a gap in the data. That's why we focus on what really matters, your current affordability.
"By considering your real-life income and expenses, we make a fair assessment of your situation. Our approach not only helps you get the finance you need today, but it also sets you up to build your credit score in the future."
The process is quick and easy to follow. It doesn't matter if you've got a near-perfect credit score or no number at all, just follow our usual application process:
Fill out our online quote form, and get an instant decision about your eligibility. You'll also be able to see how much your repayments might be. There's no commitment at this point and no impact on your credit file.
Unsure if a Hire Purchase agreement would be suitable for you? Here's some of the pros and cons:
We’re authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
We're committed to treating customers fairly and giving clear, honest information so you can trust us to put your best interests first every step of the way!
A credit score is a number that reflects how well you manage credit. It generally gives you an idea of how companies might view you as a potential borrower when you apply for something like a loan or credit card. The higher your score, the lower risk you are in the eyes of a lender.
Your credit score is based on your credit report, which is a record of your borrowing history and other factors like your payment history, outstanding debt, and how often you apply for credit. Things like mobile phone contracts, credit cards, mortgages and other loans should show on this report.
Credit scores are created by credit reference agencies (CRAs) in the UK. The three main ones are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each one might give you a different score because the information they collect and the ways they score are different. These are also the organisations that hold information on your credit report and give it to lenders when you apply.
If you don't have a credit score, this could be because of one or a few different reasons. These might include:
You simply haven't built a financial record: if you've only just turned 18, have recently graduated, or are just a young professional, you may not have had the chance to borrow money and repay it. Phone contracts and other credit accounts in the name of family members won't go on your record, even if you pay them. Once you do start using credit, it might still take a while for your credit file to build.
You've recently moved from another country: any credit history you had in another country doesn't transfer when applying for credit in the UK. You may be financially stable and already employed, but you'll still be starting from scratch when it comes to your credit score.
You haven't used credit or borrowed money recently: if you haven't added to your credit file in the last few years, there may not be enough information to generate an accurate score. This is unlikely for most people with regular bills and ongoing lines of credit, but it's possible in some cases.
Whatever the reason, not having a credit score usually doesn't mean you're not financially responsible. There's probably just not enough data to create a score yet.
Yes, definitely. Having no credit score (or a 'thin' credit file) is not the same as having bad credit.
Having no score usually means you don't have a credit history, so there's not enough data for lenders to have a clear picture of how you handle borrowing money. In contrast, having bad credit might suggest you've had some financial challenges - whether it's missing payments or failing to repay loans. Even something like applying for too many loans or credit accounts in a short space of time, or not updating address details, can negatively affect your score.
Without a credit score, you've got a better chance of starting fresh, while bad credit needs some rebuilding of trust with lenders over time. Some lenders will see 'no credit score' and 'bad credit' in the same way, but we don't. We focus on your current and future affordability, not just your past.
There are several ways you can start to build your credit report and get a healthy credit score. Try to:
Register to vote at your address: this helps to confirm your identity and can improve your credit score because it's a quick way for lenders to verify your details.
Pay all your bills on time: timely payments show you can manage your finances responsibly. This includes things like rent, utilities, phone contracts and monthly subscriptions.
Start with a small form of credit: if you haven't had any form of credit before, start with something small. Phone contracts are usually easier to take out with little credit history, but still demonstrate your ability to repay borrowed money.
Get a credit-building card: once you're ready for the next step, some credit cards are specifically designed to help you build credit. Use them carefully, paying off balances in full each month.
Check your credit report regularly: keep an eye on your credit report to spot errors and make sure everything is accurate. You can request a free report from all the major credit agencies - it's free, and won't affect your score.
Be patient and consistent: building your credit score takes time. Stay consistent with your payments and financial habits, and you'll see progress over time.
Building your credit report and improving your score opens up more financial opportunities. You may be able to access better terms on personal loans and mortgages, and probably better interest rates on car finance loans. It's better to have a strong score and not need it than a bad credit score when you do.
We know that not having a credit score doesn't mean you're not ready to take on the responsibility of a car finance agreement. If you can comfortably afford it, we want to help you get the car you need.
And there are plenty of other reasons to choose us, too:
We're SAF Approved by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), which means that all of our customer-facing employees have passed the Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) Expert test. This ensures our team members have all the relevant knowledge to advise you on available finance products and help find the right one for you!
After a nightmare experience with another provider, Della turned to First Response Finance. Read our blog to find out how we helped her buy a Peugeot 308 CC GT, despite a poor credit rating.
We'll look at the bigger picture, not just your credit score - or your lack of one. Get a quick, easy and free quote online today.
This page was last reviewed in October 2025.
First Response Finance is a responsible vehicle finance lender, and all decisions are made in the best interests of the customer; based on credit scores, status, and income at the time of application. We'll never approve an application if we believe you might struggle with repayments.
Get independent advice on money, finance products, debt management, and budgeting through Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper.
