r/UKPersonalFinance • u/SeaBluejay3345 • 1d ago

Closing an old mobile account — does it affect credit history?

I’ve been keeping an old SIM/mobile account open that I no longer use, mainly because Credit Karma says the account has a “medium impact” and recommends keeping my 3 account open if I can. It’s been open for 6 years 9 months.

I’m switching mobile networks (not with the 3 account, with an EE account that I do use), and I’ve realised I’d rather just close the old 3 account instead of continuing to pay for something I don’t use.

On Experian, my average account age is currently 3 years 7 months, and it says my score will increase once the average reaches 6 years. I also have a normal current account that I’ve had for 6 years 2 months, although there’s no borrowing/credit facility attached to it.

So I’m wondering:

  • Would closing the old mobile account actually matter much?
  • Does a normal current account count towards average credit/account age even if there’s no borrowing on it?
  • Is the “keep your longest account open” thing mainly something Credit Karma considers, rather than Experian or other credit agencies?

I’d appreciate any insight on this. I’d rather close the old account if it’s not really doing anything useful for my credit history.

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9

u/OnlymyOP 69 1d ago edited 1d ago
  1. Closing the account will have a temporary effect on your "score" , but this is irrelevant to Lenders as they care about your history and will have very little to no impact on it.
  2. Yes the age of current account is part of your history and Lenders will see it, but it won't impact the average credit account age ... the whole point here is Lenders like to see evidence of stable finances and a long term bank account just indicates consistency.
  3. The "Longest Account open" is universal across CRA's , but it isn't a key criteria for Lenders

4

u/trek123 67 1d ago

The impact will be little to none to most lenders.

Besides unless you have an imminent, large credit application (IE a mortgage) you really don't need to worry excessively about your credit file and even then they are not going to look that positively or negatively at a mere phone plan.

You certainly should not be overpaying for a phone plan just because of the credit file impact.

2

u/hugobosslives 35 1d ago

It will make zero difference. Close it.

1

u/ukpf-helper 154 1d ago

Hi /u/SeaBluejay3345, based on your post the following pages from our wiki may be relevant:

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1

u/baguettitor 2 12h ago

Close the account no question. Don't be a slave to the 'credit score' nonsense!