Which Credit Score Do Lenders Use? FICO 8, Auto, Bankcard and Mortgage Scores

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You don’t have one credit score. You have dozens. FICO alone has several versions, and lenders pick the one built for the kind of loan you’re applying for. That’s why the number in your app often doesn’t match the number a lender quotes you.

The score depends on the loan

• Credit cards: Most issuers use FICO Score 8, or FICO Bankcard Scores, an industry version tuned to predict card repayment.
• Auto loans: Most auto lenders use FICO Auto Scores, which put extra weight on how you’ve handled past car loans. Industry scores range from 250 to 900 instead of 300 to 850.
• Mortgages: Most lenders still use older base versions, FICO Score 2 (Experian), 5 (Equifax) and 4 (TransUnion), and take the middle of the three. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are phasing in newer models (FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0), so ask your loan officer which scores they pull.
• Personal loans and other credit: Usually FICO Score 8 or 9, though some lenders use VantageScore.

FICO Score 8 is the most widely used version overall. That’s why it’s the one most free tools show you.

Why your versions differ

Each version reads the same report a little differently. For example, FICO 8 ignores collections with an original balance under $100. FICO 9 and 10 treat paid collections and medical debt more gently than older versions. Each bureau may also have slightly different data. The result: your scores can be 20 to 40 points apart, and nothing is wrong. More on this in why there are different credit scores and you have more than one FICO score.

Where to see your FICO scores

• myFICO.com sells reports with the full set of FICO versions, including mortgage, auto and bankcard scores. It’s the only consumer source for most industry scores.
• Your credit card or bank. Many issuers show a free FICO 8 score on your statement or app.
• Experian offers a free FICO Score 8 based on Experian data.
• Free apps like Credit Karma show VantageScore 3.0, which is good for spotting trends but isn’t a FICO score.
• Monitoring services like SmartCredit track your scores and send alerts when your reports change.

Your free credit reports (not scores) are available weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com.

How to raise every version at once

The versions differ in the details, but they all reward the same habits:

• Pay on time, every time. Payment history is the biggest factor in every FICO version.
• Keep card balances low relative to your limits.
• Fix errors on your reports. Dovly can automate disputes with TransUnion (see our Dovly review).
• Build history if you’re new to credit. Self reports monthly payments to all three bureaus.

Applying for a mortgage?

Because mortgage lenders use older FICO versions, your mortgage score can be lower than what your app shows. The Rate Update can pull the scores a lender will actually see and tell you where you stand.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Dan Frio | NMLS #246527 | PBT Bancorp | NMLS #257781. Mortgage products are originated by PBT Bancorp, NMLS #257781. Equal Housing Lender.