How long do missed payments stay on your credit report?

Updated:May 8, 2026

7 min read

A missed payment stays on your credit report for six years from the date it was recorded. That applies whether you pay off the balance the next day or never, and it applies consistently across all three UK credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

The impact on your credit score reduces over time, and there are practical steps you can take in the meantime. This guide explains what counts as a missed payment, what six years means in practice, and your options if you have one on your file.

What counts as a missed payment on your credit file?

The term ‘missed payment’ tends to be used as a general description, but lenders and credit reference agencies use more specific language. Here is what the different terms mean:

Late payment: You made the payment, but after the due date. Whether and when your lender reports this to credit reference agencies depends on them and the timeframe varies. You may still be charged a late fee even if nothing is reported.
Missed payment: You did not make the payment by its due date. This is recorded in your payment history and appears as a negative marker on your credit file.
Default: If you miss multiple payments over a period of time, your lender may register a default. This is a more serious marker that signals the account has been formally closed or referred for collection. There is more on this below.

All three can appear on your credit file and all remain there for six years.

How long does a missed payment stay on your credit report?

A missed payment stays on your credit report for six years from the date the payment was missed or recorded. Paying the balance off later does not remove the marker or shorten the six years. The clock started when the entry was made.

After six years, the entry is removed from your credit report and lenders will no longer be able to see it.

The table below shows how long different types of negative marker stay on your credit file, and when the six years starts:

Type of marker	How long it stays on your file	When the six years starts
Late or missed payment	6 years	Date the payment was missed
Default	6 years	Date the default was registered
CCJ (County Court Judgment)	6 years	Date of the court judgment*
Bankruptcy	6 years	Date of the bankruptcy order
IVA	6 years from start date, or until end date if longer	Date it was registered

*If a CCJ is paid in full within one month of the judgment, it can be removed from the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines. Contact the court to confirm the process.

Does the impact on my credit score get better over time?

Yes. Lenders pay more attention to your recent payment history than to older entries. A missed payment from four years ago carries less weight in a credit decision than one from three months ago, even though both remain visible on your file.

If you keep up with all your payments after a missed payment, your score should recover gradually. The most meaningful signal to lenders is generally what your payment behaviour looks like now, not what it looked like years ago.

What is the difference between a missed payment, a default, and a CCJ?

These three markers represent escalating stages of the same problem.

A missed payment is the starting point. It records that a specific payment was not made on time. It is recoverable, particularly if your overall payment history is otherwise strong.
A default is registered when an account has gone significantly overdue and the lender formally closes it or passes it to a collections process. This usually happens after several months of sustained non-payment. Defaults carry a more severe impact on your credit score than individual missed payment markers.
A CCJ (County Court Judgment) is a court order issued when a debt remains unpaid and the creditor pursues legal action. It is the most serious of the three markers. For more on what a CCJ means for your access to credit, see our guide to getting a credit card with a CCJ.

All three stay on your file for six years from the date they were registered, but they carry progressively more weight with lenders. For more on what these types of markers mean for your overall credit picture, see our guide to adverse credit.

Can I remove a missed payment from my credit file?

If the entry is accurate, you generally cannot have it removed before the six years are up. There are two routes worth knowing about.

Add a notice of correction. Any of the three credit reference agencies will let you add a statement of up to 200 words to your credit file explaining the circumstances behind a missed payment (see Section 159 of the Consumer Credit Act). This could cover a medical emergency, a banking error, or another genuine reason. When a lender checks your credit file, the notice of correction is included in the information they receive. You can request one directly through Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Raise a dispute if the entry is wrong. If the missed payment was recorded in error, for example because you paid on time or the account does not belong to you, you can raise a dispute with the relevant credit reference agency or the lender directly. If upheld, the entry can be corrected or removed.

Will missed payments stop me getting credit?

In the short term, a missed payment can make it harder to get credit and may limit the rates available to you. How much depends on the lender, how recent the missed payment is, and the rest of your credit history.

Some lenders look at the full picture rather than declining automatically based on a single missed payment. For example, by using Open Banking to also look at your current income and outgoings, rather than your credit score alone.

Our page on credit cards for bad credit and loans for bad credit cover what options are available and how eligibility is assessed.

How do I recover after missed payments?

The most effective thing you can do is build a consistent record of timely payments going forward. Here are the practical steps:

Pay everything on time from here. Setting up a direct debit for at least the minimum payment on each account removes the risk of missing a due date. If you're struggling to keep up with payments, free debt advice is available from StepChange or National Debtline
Keep your credit utilisation below 25% where possible. Using too much of your available credit can hold your score back independently of missed payments.
Consider a credit builder card. Using one for small purchases and paying it off in full each month adds positive payment history to your file, which helps offset older negative markers over time.
Register on the electoral roll if you have not already. This is a quick, free step that helps lenders verify your identity and can have a direct positive effect on your score.

For a full breakdown of what moves the needle most, see our guide to how to improve your credit score.

FAQs

How long does a late payment stay on my credit file?

A late payment stays on your credit file for six years from the date the payment was missed, the same as a missed payment. The two terms are often used interchangeably. Technically, a late payment is one made after the due date, while a missed payment was not made at all. Both appear as negative markers and follow the same six year rule.

Does paying off a missed payment remove it from my credit report?

No. Paying off an overdue balance does not remove the marker from your credit report. The entry stays for six years from when it was originally recorded. Clearing the balance is still important as it stops the situation from escalating further and may prevent a default from being registered, but it does not erase the payment history.

Can one missed payment damage my credit score?

Yes. A single missed payment can lower your credit score, even if the rest of your history is otherwise clean. The extent of the impact depends on your overall credit profile. It is most significant immediately after the entry is recorded, and reduces as time passes and you build up a track record of timely payments.

For more context on how your score can shift over time, see our guide to why your credit score has gone down.

Will missed payments stop me getting a mortgage?

Missed payments do not automatically prevent a mortgage application, but they do affect your options. Most high street lenders apply strict criteria and may decline applications with recent missed payments or defaults. Specialist lenders often take a broader view of the full credit history. How significant the impact is depends on how recent the missed payments are, how many there were, and whether any escalated to defaults or CCJs.

How long do missed payments stay on my credit file for a mortgage application?

The same six year rule applies. Most mortgage lenders pay closest attention to your recent credit history, and older missed payments may carry less weight in an assessment than recent ones (though they remain visible on your file for the full six years).

What happens if I miss a credit card payment?

If you miss a credit card payment, your lender will typically charge a late fee. If the payment remains unpaid, the lender may report it to one or more credit reference agencies and it will appear on your credit file.

If the balance stays unpaid over several months, the account may be defaulted. The best step, if you know in advance you will miss a payment, is to contact your lender. Many lenders can put a temporary arrangement in place to help.

There are a range of financial products available that may suit your needs. We encourage you to research your options carefully and consider seeking independent financial advice before making any decisions. This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

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