The situation
A soft search (or 'quotation search') lets a lender or broker estimate your likelihood of acceptance without leaving a visible footprint that other lenders can see, unlike a hard search which is recorded and can slightly affect your score, especially if you have several in a short period. It's a genuinely useful way to compare options before you commit to a full application.
What tends to help
- Ask directly whether an eligibility check uses a soft or hard search before you submit any details online.
- A soft-search 'likely to be accepted' result isn't a guarantee — the full application still involves a hard search and full underwriting.
- Comparing several soft-search quotes is a low-risk way to shop around before choosing where to formally apply.
- Only proceed to a full (hard-search) application with the lender that actually looks like the best fit.
Lenders worth checking
Based on published eligibility criteria and lender positioning — always check current terms directly, as criteria change.