"Many lenders use credit scoring systems which allocate points to various pieces of information given on your application form, such as your age, your occupation and whether you own your home. These points are added together to produce your credit score. This helps the lender predict whether you are an acceptable risk. Different lenders have different systems and pass marks, so you can be turned down by one but accepted by another. Your credit score is not part of the file kept on you by the credit reference agencies. Lenders do not have to tell you exactly why they have turned you down, but they should give an indication of the reason." Office of Fair Trading 27 April 2001 http://www.oft.gov.uk

http://www.oft.gov.uk/html/consume/credit.htm