You want to buy your first car. You’ve found the perfect VW Polo, done your budget, and walked into the dealership with confidence. But after a few minutes on the computer, the salesman comes back with a frown.
“Sorry, your finance application was declined.”
The reason? Your Credit Score.
In South Africa, this three-digit number controls almost every major financial decision in your life. It decides if you can get a home loan, a cellphone contract, a clothing account at Truworths, or even how much you pay for car insurance.
Yet, millions of South Africans have no idea what their score is until it is too late. Even worse, many people fall for scams that charge R200 a month just to see a simple report.
The good news is that by law, you are entitled to check your credit record for free once a year. Several legitimate platforms also allow you to check it as often as you like at no cost.
In this comprehensive guide, we will show you exactly how to check your credit score safely, understand what the numbers mean, and fix a “bad” score so you can get approved next time.
What Exactly Is a Credit Score?
Think of your credit score as a “Financial Report Card”.
Every time you pay a bill (or miss one), credit bureaus like TransUnion, Experian, and XDS make a note of it. They use this data to calculate a score, usually between 0 and 999 (depending on the bureau).
- High Score: Lenders trust you. You get loans easily and at lower interest rates.
- Low Score: Lenders see you as “High Risk”. Your application gets rejected, or you pay extremely high interest.
The Scoring Bands (General Guide)
While every bureau is slightly different, here is the general breakdown:
- 650+ (Excellent): The VIP list. Banks will fight to give you money.
- 600 – 650 (Good): You will likely be approved for most contracts.
- 550 – 600 (Average): You might get approved, but at a higher interest rate.
- Below 550 (Poor/Very Poor): High chance of rejection. You need to fix this urgently.
Method 1: ClearScore
For most South Africans, ClearScore is the easiest way to track financial health. It partners with Experian (one of the biggest bureaus).
Is it really free? Yes. ClearScore makes money by showing you offers for credit cards and loans (which you can ignore), not by charging you a fee.
How to use it:
- Visit the Website: Go to
clearscore.com/za. - Sign Up: Enter your email, ID number, and answer a few security questions (e.g., “Which bank do you have a bond with?”).
- View Your Dashboard: You will see a score out of 705 (Experian’s scale).
- Monthly Updates: They send you a report every month so you can see if your score is going up or down.
Pros: Very user-friendly app, totally free forever.
Cons: Only shows Experian data (not TransUnion).
Method 2: TransUnion
TransUnion is widely used by banks for car finance. Sometimes your Experian score looks good, but your TransUnion score is low. It is important to check both.
How to get your free report:
By law, TransUnion must give you one free comprehensive report every 12 months.
- Go to
transunion.co.za. - Look for the “Free Annual Credit Report” option.
- Register and verify your identity.
Warning: Be careful not to sign up for their “Subscription Service” which costs monthly fees unless you really want daily alerts. Stick to the free annual option if you are just checking.
Method 3: Banking Apps
Did you know your banking app might already have this feature built-in?
- FNB App: Look for the “nav» Money” section. They provide a credit status update for free.
- Standard Bank: Look for “Credit Score” under the add-on services (Pulse).
- Capitec: Their app often allows a free credit check through their partner integration.
This is often the safest method because the bank already verified your identity, so you don’t have to upload ID documents to a new website.
Why Is My Score Low?
You checked your score, and it’s in the “Red Zone”. Don’t panic. Here are the most common reasons why scores drop:
1. Missed Payments
This is the biggest killer. If you pay your Foschini account 2 days late, it gets recorded.
Fix: Set up a debit order for the minimum amount so you never miss a deadline.
2. High Credit Utilization
Do you have a credit card with a limit of R10,000, and you owe R9,500 on it? This tells banks you are “maxed out” and desperate.
Fix: Try to use less than 30% of your limit (e.g., only owe R3,000 on a R10,000 card).
3. Too Many Enquiries Did you apply for a loan at 5 different banks in one week? Each application leaves a “footprint”. Too many footprints make you look desperate for cash.
Fix: Only apply when you are sure you qualify. Use tools like ClearScore to check eligibility before applying.
4. No Credit History
This is ironic, but if you have never had debt, you have a “Thin File”. Lenders don’t know if they can trust you.
Fix: Open a small clothing account or get a credit card with a tiny limit, buy one small item, and pay it off immediately every month to build a track record.
How to Fix a “Blacklisted” Status
In South Africa, people often say they are “Blacklisted”. Technically, there is no physical “Black List”. It just means you have a Judgment or Default against your name.
Step 1: Get the Report
Use the methods above to see exactly who listed you. Is it an old gym contract? A forgotten doctor’s bill?
Step 2: Pay or Negotiate
Contact the creditor. Ask for a “Paid Up Letter” once you settle the debt.
Step 3: Update the Bureau
Send that letter to the credit bureaus (TransUnion/Experian). By law, they must remove the “Default” flag within 7 days once the debt is paid.
Note: A formal Court Judgment stays on your record for 5 years unless rescinded by a court.
Identify Theft: The Silent Killer
Sometimes, a low score isn’t your fault. Identity theft is huge in Mzansi. Criminals steal ID numbers and open accounts at furniture stores in your name.
Red Flag: If you see an account on your report that you did not open (e.g., a Truworths account in Durban when you live in Cape Town), you must act immediately.
- Report it to the Credit Bureau as “Fraud”.
- Open a case at SAPS.
- Contact the store to close the account.
Checking your score regularly is the best way to catch these criminals early.
Conclusion
Your credit score is the key to your financial freedom. Whether you want to drive a new car or buy your dream home, that 3-digit number stands in your way.
Don’t wait until you are rejected to check it. Download one of the free apps today, find out where you stand, and start building a reputation that makes banks say “Yes”.
Planning to buy a car soon? Once your credit score is healthy, you will need insurance. Read our guide on Comprehensive vs Third-Party Car Insurance to find the best cover for your budget.
(Disclaimer: The Mzansi Post provides this information for educational purposes only. We are not financial advisors. Terms and conditions of credit bureaus apply.)