I'd like to add that I believe some changes were made in the way requests for credit are calculated against your score. In the past, everytime you filled out an application, or someone accesses your report, it made a reflection on your score.
Now they allow for multiple checks in a period of time before it start to negatively affect your credit score. This applies to buying a vehicle or a mortgage. When we refinanced our mortgage 2 years ago, the credit officer told me that multiple checks within a 45 day period are counted as "one" check. I guess they changed the "rules" because of the greater availability of lenders and the ability to"shop around' for the best deal. More people today are doing this so it was set up to protect the individual who like to get the best terms.
Also, since you were denied credit you are entitled to a free copy of your report from the credit reporting agency(ies) that were contacted to provide the info to the lender. If you can find out from the lender who they contacted, then call the agency's toll free number, you can request a free copy due to that fact. Many people do not realize this fact as well as if your credit limit was decreased, or your APR was raised significantly, or any other negative item has occurred to one or more of your credit accounts. Also you are entitled to one free report from each of the 3 reporting agencies,Equifax,Experian,TransUnion,every year by going to
www.annualcreditreport.com . Be wary of other sites that tout free credit reports as there are strings attached such as signing up for a subscription service through them, or credit monitoring services.