Why Comparison Sites Don't Work for Mortgages

1. Limited Lender Access

Comparison sites only display lenders they have commercial partnerships with. That is not the whole market.

2. They Assume a "Perfect" Borrower

Comparison engines work best if you have clean credit, simple PAYE income, and a straightforward deposit.

If you have CCJs, defaults, self-employed income, multiple income streams, or gifted deposits - the results become unreliable. You may be shown products you are not eligible for.

3. No Credit Protection

Applying through a comparison site can trigger unnecessary credit searches, lead to declined applications, and reduce your future acceptance chances.

An adviser pre-assesses your case before any application is submitted, protecting your credit profile.

4. Headline Rates Are Not Realistic Rates

The cheapest rates shown often apply only to perfect profiles, require higher deposits, exclude complex incomes, and disappear once full underwriting begins.

The best mortgage is not the cheapest advertised rate. It is the best rate you can actually be approved for.

5. No Underwriting Knowledge

Comparison sites do not understand how lenders treat adverse credit, which lenders manually assess cases, or how affordability differs by lender.

They cannot package your case, present your income properly, or match you to underwriting tolerance. That is where most approvals are won or lost. An adviser handles all of this.

6. No Accountability

7. One Size Fits Nobody

Two borrowers earning the same amount can be offered completely different mortgages based on credit history detail, deposit source, employment structure, and stability of income.

Comparison sites treat everyone the same. Mortgage underwriting never does.

Why don't comparison sites work for self-employed mortgages?

Comparison sites assume standard PAYE income and cannot assess director dividends, retained profits, or complex income structures. They show products you may not be eligible for, leading to wasted applications and credit score damage.

Can comparison sites damage my credit score?

Yes. Applying through comparison sites can trigger hard credit searches. Multiple failed applications reduce your credit score and future acceptance chances. An adviser pre-assesses your case before any application is submitted.

Do comparison sites show the whole mortgage market?

No. They only display lenders they have commercial partnerships with. They exclude specialist adverse credit lenders, building societies with manual underwriting, and lenders that only work through advisers.

What's the difference between a comparison site and a mortgage adviser?

Comparison sites show automated product lists based on basic criteria. Advisers assess your full circumstances, access the whole market including specialist lenders, pre-underwrite your case, and secure approvals - not just quotes.

Do comparison sites meet Consumer Duty advice standards?

No. Comparison sites cannot provide regulated, suitable advice that meets FCA Consumer Duty requirements. They list products but do not assess your individual needs, conduct a fact-find, or recommend what is right for you.

Are all mortgage brokers whole-of-market?

No. Many brokers use restricted lender panels or a single sourcing platform. Only genuinely independent whole-of-market advisers search all available lenders including specialist and niche options not available through restricted panels.

Can restricted broker panels limit my mortgage options?

Yes. Restricted lender access can exclude lenders that would consider complex cases like adverse credit or self-employment, potentially leading to higher rates or fewer suitable mortgages than a whole-of-market adviser would find.

Does independent advice mean lower mortgage rates?

Not always lower headline rates, but often better-fit rates you can actually be accepted for. Independent advisers access lenders and terms that restricted brokers cannot, particularly important for complex or adverse situations.