Hi the easiest way to find out is by getting your credit files from Experian and Equifax. These are the two reference agencies that companies go to when you apply for credit - the companies will credit score you. Your score will be calculated on lots of things for example - if you have any CCJ's (county court judgements), defaults (when you have not paid but the comaniy hasnt taken you to court yet) and late payments (when you have missed or been late with any payments), not only will they judge you but anyone else on your file, this could be your partner, children or even previous people who have lived at your address. You can sort your own files out by disassociating everyone apart from you from your files and if you can mark the CCJ's, defaults and late payments with a statement saying the reason why you had problems at that time. Alternatively you can get a company to restore your credit for you (this is easier) hope this is of some help let me know