If the default was settled in March 2009, it shouldn’t usually be blocking a mortgage in 2026 on its own.
A default normally drops off your UK credit file after around six years (the key date is the default date, and it’s removed even if it was later satisfied).
Why the broker’s answer sounds off
If the default was registered in 2009, it would typically have disappeared from your credit report long ago.
So if a broker is saying “you can’t get a mortgage because of a settled default from 2009”, one of these is usually going on:
- the default date on your report isn’t actually 2009 (it may have been recorded later than you think), or it’s been recorded incorrectly
- there’s another issue in the background (recent missed payments, high credit usage, affordability, income type, deposit source, property type, etc.) and the default is being used as shorthand
- you’re looking at a high-street lender/product with very tight criteria, rather than a lender that’s comfortable with historic blips
What to do next
Check what lenders can actually see
Pull your full statutory reports from the main agencies and confirm whether a default is showing at all, and if so, the default date shown on the file. Defaults are meant to disappear after six years.
If the entry is still there and the dates look wrong, dispute it with the lender and the credit reference agency. (If it’s recorded correctly, you usually can’t remove it early, but errors do happen.)
Don’t over-index on the “900 score”
The score itself is less important than what’s in the report, and lenders don’t all use the same scoring model. The underlying history is what matters.
Sense-check the rest of the application
With a 15% deposit, most lenders will focus on affordability and stability. It’s worth checking:
- any other adverse items in the last 2–6 years (even minor)
- current credit card balances and utilisation
- missed payments on utilities/mobile
- recent hard searches (multiple applications can spook some lenders)
Can you still get a mortgage?
In principle, yes. A single historic satisfied default from that long ago shouldn’t, by itself, rule you out.
The practical step is to match you to lenders who assess the case on what’s current, and to make sure the credit file is accurate before any further applications are submitted.
If you paste the exact wording from your credit report entry (default date, settlement date, and whether it’s showing as “satisfied”), plus your rough income and the purchase price, I’ll rewrite this page answer so it’s specific and genuinely helpful without drifting into generic credit tips.
Contact us today on 023 8235 2300 to learn more.
