TL;DR — Short answer

Most initial eligibility checks via UK Business Loans are soft searches and will not show on your credit report. Only a full application with a lender or broker usually triggers a hard search, which will appear on credit files. If you want to avoid a hard search at first, tell us when you submit the enquiry — we’ll try to match you to partners who will perform soft checks first. Ready to start? Get a Free Eligibility Check.

How credit checks work: soft vs hard searches

Credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) record two main types of enquiries:

• Soft search (soft footprint) — used for initial affordability or pre‑qualification checks. It does not affect credit scores and is visible only to you (and sometimes the checking organisation), not to other lenders.
• Hard search (hard footprint) — carried out when you make a formal credit application. It will appear on your credit file and can have a small, typically short‑term, negative effect on your score. Multiple hard searches in a short period can look risky to lenders.

For business vehicle finance, lenders may check both company and director credit files. Directors’ personal credit is often checked for SMEs, especially for loans secured against vehicles or where personal guarantees are requested.

Sources and guidance from credit reference agencies are useful background reading: Experian and Equifax publish plain‑English explanations of soft vs hard searches.

What happens during a UK Business Loans eligibility check?

UK Business Loans is a free introducer: we do not lend. When you complete our quick enquiry we use the information you provide to match your business with lenders and brokers who specialise in van and vehicle finance. Our usual process:

1. You submit a short enquiry (business details, trading history, finance required, vehicle type, contact info).
2. We screen your request against our partner panels and identify lenders/brokers likely to consider your case.
3. Before a formal application, most partners will perform a soft eligibility check where possible to confirm likely terms and rates.
4. If you choose to proceed with a formal application, the lender/broker will make it clear that a hard search may be required and will obtain your consent.

Remember: the enquiry form is just that — information to help match you. It is not a formal application. If you want a soft search only at the pre‑approval stage, tell us on the form or when you speak to a partner. Start now with a quick, no‑obligation enquiry: Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Van finance types and how checks vary

Different products commonly use different approaches to credit checking. Typical patterns are:

• Hire Purchase (HP) — formal credit approval is usually required; expect a hard search when you submit the full application.
• Contract Hire / Leasing — many funders will carry out a hard search for final credit approval, although some provide indicative decisions on soft checks.
• Asset finance / chattel mortgage — some lenders use soft scoring for the initial pass, followed by a hard search on acceptance.
• Fleet finance — brokers often use panel scoring: initial soft eligibility checks may be possible across multiple lenders, reducing hard‑search exposure.

If you want to explore specific products in detail, see our vehicle finance overview for van and commercial vehicle options: vehicle finance. (This link explains common options and what lenders typically ask for.)

Will our eligibility check impact your credit score?

In most cases, the answer is no for the initial UK Business Loans eligibility check because:

• We act as an introducer and do not perform credit searches ourselves.
• We ask partners to carry out soft pre‑qualification checks where possible, which do not appear on credit files.

However, your credit score may be affected if:

• You or the matched lender/broker submit a formal application that triggers a hard credit check.
• A partner needs to verify identity or affordability as part of final approval and requests a hard search — this will only be done with your consent.

Typical journey: you submit an enquiry → soft checks to find suitable matches → you choose a lender/broker → you complete a formal application → a hard search may be performed. If you want to avoid hard searches until you have an offer, say so when you start the process and we will prioritise partners who provide soft‑check pre‑approvals. Ready to try a soft check first? Start your Free Eligibility Check.

How to protect your credit score when shopping for van finance

Practical steps to minimise the impact of credit checks:

• Ask for a soft search first. Tell lenders/brokers you want a soft eligibility check before any hard search is made.
• Limit formal applications. Only submit full applications to lenders you intend to proceed with — multiple hard searches increase risk.
• Use a specialist broker. Brokers can match you to lenders that suit your profile and reduce the need for repeated hard searches.
• Check your credit reports in advance. Order director and company checks, correct any errors and understand your position before applying (see Experian/Equifax guidance).
• Consolidate through one application window. If you have to apply to multiple lenders, do so in a short timeframe so some lenders treat multiple inquiries as a single event (policies vary by lender/product).

Want us to prioritise partners who will do a soft check first? Submit a short enquiry now: Get a Free Eligibility Check.

When a hard search is likely — and what it means

A hard search is typically carried out when a lender needs to confirm identity, affordability or carries out full underwriting for a formal credit decision. Its effects:

• Shows on your credit report for lenders to see.
• May cause a small, short‑term drop in score, especially if there are multiple hard enquiries.
• Repeated hard searches in a short time can be treated negatively by some lenders.

Mitigation tips: keep formal applications to a minimum, use a broker to submit a single consolidated application, and ask lenders whether they use “search‑shaping” (soft pre‑checks) before hard searches.

Why use UK Business Loans for van finance

We speed up the search for suitable van finance from lenders and brokers who regularly fund vehicles and fleets. Key benefits:

• Fast matching to specialist lenders and brokers who understand vehicle and asset finance.
• Short, no‑obligation enquiry — you control whether to proceed to a formal application.
• We recommend partners likely to use soft checks for initial eligibility where possible.

Ready to be matched? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

How to get started

Our enquiry form is short and designed to reduce friction. Typical minimal fields you’ll complete:

• Business/trading name and time trading
• Estimated annual turnover band
• Vehicle required (van size / approx value)
• Amount of finance required and deposit (if any)
• Contact name, phone and email

Complete the short form and we’ll match you to lenders/brokers who can help. It’s not a formal application — it’s a Free Eligibility Check: Start Your Free Eligibility Check.

FAQs — quick answers to common questions

Does a soft search show up on my credit file?

No. Soft searches do not affect your credit score and are not visible to other lenders as a hard enquiry would be.

Will lenders check my personal credit for a company van?

Often yes — many lenders check directors’ personal credit as part of affordability checks for SME van finance. It depends on company structure, loan size and lender policy.

How long does a hard search affect my credit score?

A hard search remains visible on a credit file for up to 24 months, but its score impact tends to be highest in the first 6–12 months.

Can I refuse a hard search?

You can decline to proceed with a formal application, but a lender may require a hard search to grant credit. We’ll tell you in advance when a hard check is likely.

How many hard searches are too many?

There’s no absolute number, but multiple hard searches within a short period can look risky. Use a broker to consolidate applications and ask partners to use soft checks first.

Does UK Business Loans carry out credit checks?

No. We are an introducer and do not perform credit searches. Any credit checks are carried out by lenders or brokers we introduce, and a hard search will only be done with your consent.

Final summary & next steps

Initial eligibility checks carried out during our matching process are normally soft and won’t affect your credit score. A formal application to a lender or broker commonly causes a hard search that does show on credit files — and that will only occur with your consent. If you prefer soft checks first, tell us when you submit your enquiry and we’ll prioritise partners who can help. For a quick, no‑obligation match, complete our short form: Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Note: UK Business Loans is an introducer to lenders and brokers. We do not lend and do not carry out credit checks. Lenders and brokers we introduce may carry out credit checks; any hard credit search will only be performed with your consent. The enquiry form is only to match you to providers and is not a formal application.