Hard inquiries don’t last forever—but they do hang around long enough to matter. When a lender checks your credit as part of an application you authorized, that “hard pull” is added to your file. Most people first notice them when they’re shopping for a car or a credit card and suddenly see a string of new entries. Here’s what to expect, what actually impacts you, and when it makes sense to take action.
The short answer
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Visibility: Hard inquiries typically remain on your credit reports for about 2 years.
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Scoring impact: Most major scoring models weigh them for about 12 months, and the effect usually fades over time.
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Soft inquiries: Soft pulls (your own checks, pre-approvals, background checks) don’t affect lending decisions and aren’t treated as risk items.
Why they show up—and why they matter
Hard inquiries exist to show lenders that you recently applied for credit. A single, recent inquiry is normal. Several clustered together—especially in a short window—can prompt extra scrutiny because it may look like you’re taking on new obligations. The impact is usually modest and temporary, but if you’re preparing for a mortgage or business funding, every point and perception can matter.
Rate-shopping rules (so you aren’t double-penalized)
Credit scoring models try to avoid punishing smart comparison shopping:
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Grouped inquiries: Mortgage, auto, and student loan pulls made within a short window are often grouped and treated like a single inquiry for scoring.
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Windows vary by model: Older or different models use shorter windows (around 14 days), while newer versions allow up to about 45 days. Translation: do your shopping in a tight time frame to minimize impact.
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What doesn’t group: Credit card applications usually do not fall under rate-shopping rules. Apply selectively.
Practical tip: If you’re rate-shopping, plan applications in a single burst, keep records of who pulled and when, and avoid opening unrelated accounts in the same period.
How much do hard inquiries affect scores?
Not as much as people think. Inquiries are one of the lesser-weighted factors—smaller than payment history, credit utilization, length of history, or mix of credit. A typical effect is a small, short-lived dip, and the influence diminishes month by month. Multiple inquiries in a cluster can have a slightly bigger effect, especially if your profile is thin or you’ve opened several new accounts recently.
When a hard inquiry can be removed
Here’s the key distinction:
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Authorized inquiries (you applied and consented): generally stay and age off naturally.
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Unauthorized or unapproved inquiries (you didn’t recognize or didn’t permit): may be challenged. A targeted, documented dispute asks the furnisher/bureau to verify permissible purpose—proof that the pull was allowed. If they can’t verify, the inquiry should be corrected or removed.
If you’re unsure whether a pull was authorized, look for anything you signed (even online checkboxes). Many applications include consent language; that’s often enough for the inquiry to stand.
What the timeline looks like in real life
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Month 0: Inquiry posts to your report after an application.
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Months 1–3: Any scoring impact is strongest here (still modest for most people).
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Months 4–12: Influence fades. For most scoring models, the inquiry’s weight drops significantly after 12 months.
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Months 13–24: Still visible to anyone reading the report, but typically not counted by many models.
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At ~24 months: The inquiry falls off your credit reports.
How to read and track your inquiries
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Pull all three bureaus: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion. Each file can differ.
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Locate the inquiry section: It will list the company name, date, and sometimes the permissible purpose category.
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Tag anything unknown: Note the date, bureau(s), and why you believe it’s unapproved.
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Watch for duplicates: The same lender may appear across multiple bureaus (that’s normal).
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Save everything: Keep PDFs and case numbers; it makes disputes and follow-ups much easier.
Common myths (and the reality)
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“You can remove any inquiry.”
Not true. If you authorized it, it usually stays. Focus effort on unapproved pulls. -
“Multiple car-loan pulls will destroy my score.”
Not typically. Rate-shopping rules group auto/mortgage/student inquiries in a short window. -
“Inquiries are the main reason my score is low.”
Rarely. They’re a small factor. Look at payment history and balances first.
Should you DIY or get help?
You can dispute unapproved pulls on your own if you’re comfortable with timelines and follow-ups. The work is mostly management: documenting what happened, requesting verification, and nudging responses on schedule. If you’d rather not juggle three bureaus and multiple furnishers, a managed service can keep the cadence going and provide clear updates.
Bottom line
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Expect hard inquiries to remain for ~2 years, but be scored for about 12 months by many models.
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Keep rate-shopping tight (14–45 days, depending on model) for auto, mortgage, and student loans.
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Challenge only the inquiries you didn’t authorize or don’t recognize.
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Track everything and give changes time—most inquiry effects fade with age.
Need help reviewing what qualifies? We manage unauthorized/unapproved hard-inquiry removal for you—intake, targeted disputes, follow-ups, and final re-checks—with live updates across all three bureaus.
