Car finance and credit checks

[blindedbytiredness]

On Tuesday I had 2 hard credit checks ran on me for car finance (they only actually mentioned one but ClearScore shows 2) which have reduced my credit score by 78.
I'm now not buying the car due to their error (was actually sold 2 weeks ago!) and my understanding is that if I then took the credit my credit score would go back up?
Now that I won't be taking the credit this seems unfair to me however is there anything that can actually be done? I guess reversing a credit check isn't a thing!
Or have I got this all wrong and my credit score would stay the same anyway?

Ignore your score, it's irrelevant. Credit reference agencies invented them to make you think they are important so they can sell you stuff to "improve your score" The number is a marketing gimmick.

What does matter are the details shown in your credit history. Lenders make decisions based on the detail and use their own credit scoring algorithms, they don't see the number that Clearscore has given you.
As long as your history is in good order then a couple of applications for credit will do no harm.

"A couple of applications" WILL ruin your credit rating.

ONLY ever apply for credit when you're absolutely sure you're going to buy the vehicle.

The lenders records only show "credit applied for", not what the reason was.

Lots of applications in a short space of time will absolutely trash your credit rating.

Whilst multiple applications for credit in a short space of time may be a negative factor to some lenders it won't be to all lenders and two searches are not "loads".

I'm not suggesting that you should go applying for credit just for the fun of it but two are a mere blip that will hardly register and certainly won't "trash" your credit rating as this is a number only you can see and as such is completely irrelevant number supplied by CRA who want you to think they are important. Lenders don't see it and don't make decisions based upon it, ignore it.

Thanks both I only just remembered I started this thread! The car was on the other side of the country so to get the dealership to move it closer to me they have to run a credit check first so they know you can actually get the credit, it then turned out the car was sold 2 weeks prior so I'm not buying it, I don't just apply for credit for fun.