Are Comparison Site Results Misleading My Expectations?
Short answer: often, yes. Mortgage comparison sites can be helpful starting points, but they regularly create unrealistic expectations because they simplify lender criteria and ignore behavioural risk, timing, and underwriting nuance.
Many borrowers assume that seeing a rate or borrowing figure online means they are likely to be approved on those terms. In reality, comparison sites show theoretical eligibility, not lender acceptance.
This guide explains why comparison site results can be misleading, what they leave out, and how lenders actually decide whether those deals apply to you.
What Mortgage Comparison Sites Are Designed to Do
Comparison sites are marketing tools, not underwriting tools.
Their primary purpose is to:
- Show headline rates
- Compare basic product features
- Generate leads
They are not designed to:
- Assess bank account conduct
- Analyse spending behaviour
- Interpret credit trends
- Apply lender-specific policy nuance
This gap is where expectations often drift from reality.
Why the Figures Look So Optimistic
Most comparison sites assume a “perfect borrower” baseline.
They typically assume:
- Clean credit with no nuance
- Stable income with no variability
- No overdraft use
- Predictable spending
- Simple employment
If your situation differs — even slightly — the results can quickly become unrealistic.
Credit Scores vs Credit Behaviour
Comparison sites rely heavily on credit scores.
Lenders do not.
While comparison sites often ask:
- “Is your credit good or bad?”
Lenders assess:
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- Trends in balances
- Recent credit activity
- Reliance on short-term borrowing
- Timing of credit issues
This means a borrower can pass comparison site filters but still face restricted lender choice.
What Comparison Sites Do Not See
This is the biggest source of confusion.
Comparison sites cannot see:
- Bank statement behaviour
- Overdraft reliance
- End-of-month balances
- Spending volatility
- Undeclared commitments
Yet these are among the strongest drivers of mortgage outcomes.
Income Is Treated Too Simply
Income is rarely as straightforward as comparison sites assume.
Sites often:
- Apply a basic income multiple
- Ignore probation periods
- Simplify variable or bonus income
- Overlook employment gaps
Lenders apply detailed rules that can significantly reduce borrowing compared to online estimates.
Loan to Value Assumptions Are Overly Generous
Small changes in deposit position can have big effects.
Comparison results often assume:
- Clean deposit sourcing
- No lender sensitivity at higher loan to value
- Full product availability
In reality, higher loan to value borrowing narrows lender choice and increases scrutiny — something comparison sites rarely highlight.
The “Best Rate” Trap
The lowest rate shown is often the least achievable.
That headline deal usually:
- Applies to a narrow borrower profile
- Requires near-perfect stability
- Assumes no behavioural risk
Most borrowers are not declined — they are simply not eligible for that specific product, despite what the site suggests.
Why This Leads to Frustration Later
Borrowers often feel misled because:
- Expectations are set too high early
- Actual offers look worse by comparison
- Lender declines feel unexpected
The issue is not lender harshness — it’s expectation mismatch.
How Lenders Actually Form Decisions
Lenders base decisions on:
- Recent bank account conduct
- Spending consistency
- Income stability
- Credit behaviour trends
- Deposit clarity
- Overall credibility
These factors are invisible to comparison sites but central to underwriting.
Does This Mean Comparison Sites Are Useless?
No — but they should be used carefully.
They are useful for:
- Understanding the market range
- Learning basic product types
- Spotting broad rate movements
They are less useful for:
- Predicting approval
- Estimating borrowing accurately
- Assessing eligibility
A Better Way to Use Comparison Results
Comparison sites work best when used as:
- A rough benchmark, not a promise
- A way to understand best-case scenarios
- A starting point for further checks
They should not be treated as confirmation of what you can actually secure.
Why “Almost Matching” the Criteria Isn’t Enough
Mortgage decisions are binary.
Being close to the ideal profile does not mean:
- Partial approval
- Conditional acceptance
If criteria are not met fully at assessment, lenders usually say no — regardless of what comparison results suggest.
How to Reset Expectations Realistically
Borrowers often get better outcomes by:
- Understanding behavioural risk
- Allowing time for finances to settle
- Viewing rates as ranges, not guarantees
- Focusing on suitability over headline pricing
Realistic expectations reduce stress and improve decision-making.
Key Takeaways
- Comparison sites show theory, not underwriting reality
- They assume ideal borrower profiles
- Bank conduct and behaviour are ignored
- Headline rates are often least achievable
- Expectation gaps cause most frustration
Learn More in Related Guides
You can learn more about lender behaviour, affordability checks, and mortgage readiness in our other Mortgage Bridge guides.
This guide provides general information only. Personalised mortgage advice should always come from a regulated mortgage adviser.
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Important information: Mortgage Bridge provides information only and acts as a mortgage introducer. We do not provide mortgage advice or make lender recommendations. We can introduce you to an FCA-regulated mortgage adviser who can provide personalised mortgage advice.