How to remove old debt from your credit file

Still seeing an old debt on your credit file that should be long gone? You’re right to be annoyed. Most negative credit data is supposed to disappear automatically after six years. If it hasn’t, you have strong grounds to get it removed.

But there’s one thing a lot of people get wrong: a debt being “statute-barred” (unenforceable in court) is not the same as being removed from your credit file. They’re separate concepts with different rules.

Straightforward processSuccess rate: CRAs are required to remove data after 6 years — straightforward if overdue

Important

This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Wollit does not provide credit repair or dispute services. If you’re struggling with debt, contact StepChange (0800 138 1111) or Citizens Advice for free help.

Key takeaways

Defaults, CCJs, and late payments should vanish 6 years from when they were registered.
“Statute-barred” and “removed from your credit file” are two different things. Don’t confuse them.
Making a payment restarts the court enforcement clock but does NOT extend the credit file retention period.
Still showing after 6 years? It’s most likely a system error. Contact the CRA.
Bankruptcies and IVAs can stick around longer in some circumstances.

How the 6-year rule works

Under industry agreements and ICO guidance, most negative credit data is retained for six years. The clock starts from different dates depending on the type of data:

Defaults: 6 years from the date of default. CCJs: 6 years from the date of the judgement. Late payments: 6 years from the date each entry was recorded. Bankruptcy: 6 years from the date of the bankruptcy order. IVAs: 6 years from the date the IVA was set up (or until the IVA ends, whichever is later). DROs: 6 years from the date of the DRO.

CRAs should remove this data automatically when the retention period expires.

The biggest misconception: statute-barred vs credit file removal

This is the most common source of confusion. A statute-barred debt means the lender can no longer enforce it through the courts — but the debt still exists and can still appear on your credit file.

The limitation period for court enforcement is 6 years from your last payment or written acknowledgement of the debt (5 years in Scotland). Crucially, making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing restarts this clock.

The credit file retention period is 6 years from the default date. This is fixed and cannot be extended by payments or acknowledgements. Even if you pay the debt, the default stays on your file for 6 years from the original default date — it’s just marked as “satisfied”.

So a debt can be statute-barred but still on your credit file, or removed from your credit file but still legally enforceable.

Here’s how to get it removed

Check the default date on your credit report. Count 6 years forward.

If more than 6 years have passed, contact the CRA and request removal.

CRAs should remove data automatically — if they haven’t, it’s likely a system error and should be corrected quickly.

If the CRA doesn’t remove it, contact the lender.

Escalate to the ICO if neither cooperates — this is a data retention issue under UK GDPR Article 5(1)(e) (storage limitation principle).

Where to send your dispute

Experian: Submit a dispute through your free account. Post to Consumer Help Service, PO Box 9000, Nottingham, NG80 7WP. Phone: 0344 481 8000.

Equifax: Use the Online Help portal at help.equifax.co.uk/EquifaxOnlineHelp. Phone: 0800 014 2955.

TransUnion: Use transunionstatreport.co.uk or Credit Karma. Phone: 0330 024 7574.

What about bankruptcies, IVAs, and DROs?

Bankruptcy Restriction Orders (BROs) and Undertakings (BRUs) can extend the bankruptcy marker to up to 15 years. Check if one applies to you.

IVAs that overrun their original term stay on your file until they formally end, even if that’s longer than 6 years from the start date.

DROs may have Debt Relief Restriction Orders (DRROs) attached, which extend the marker.

You can verify bankruptcy and IVA dates against the Individual Insolvency Register at insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk.

Evidence checklist

Credit report showing the entry and its date
The default/registration date (this is the key date for the 6-year calculation)
Court documents (for CCJs or bankruptcy)
IVA completion certificate (if applicable)

Dispute this with your CRA

Each agency has a different process. Pick yours for a step-by-step guide:

Experian

Experian-specific dispute process and evidence requirements

Equifax

Equifax-specific dispute process and evidence requirements

TransUnion

TransUnion-specific dispute process and evidence requirements

FAQs

It’s statute-barred — can I get it off my credit file?

No, not on that basis. A debt being statute-barred (unenforceable in court) doesn’t mean it gets removed from your credit file. The 6-year credit file retention period runs from the default date, regardless of the limitation period for enforcement. They’re separate things.

If I make a payment, does the clock reset?

Not on your credit file, no. Making a payment restarts the limitation period for court enforcement but does NOT extend the credit file retention period. The removal date is fixed from the original default date.

What if the default date was recorded wrong?

That’s a problem — if the lender recorded the default date too recently, the 6-year clock starts later than it should. You can dispute the default date itself. See our guide on disputing defaults.

Shouldn’t the CRA remove old debts automatically?

Yes, they should. If an entry is still showing after 6 years, it’s most likely a system error. Contact the CRA and it should get sorted quickly.

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