You might think I'm being a spoilsport with this answer. Bankruptcy is a matter of public record and although you might think no one will ever find out surely its better to be safe than sorry.

You are quite right that the lender is mostly interested in your ability to manage money and an 8 year old bankruptcy shouldn't affect your application. But a lie might.

If you lie on a mortgage application form - the most common time this question is asked- you could be "obtaining a mortgage by deception", you will always be asked "Have you ever been made bankrupt" and you should tell the truth.

Sometimes it's really easy to misunderstand questions. Often questions like that read like they are asking if you are a recent bankrupt, and if you're understanding is that once discharged the slate is wiped clean and you don't need to declare it, what can you do.

Oh excellent. Would that be even if it asks the question "are u or have u ever been made bankrupt"? I would prefer never to mention it again and assume that because I will pay all bills on time, there would never be any further investigation.

We could never encourage you to not tell the truth but if you were to not mention it as it's not on your file and you've been discharged and life's moved on, then that would be understandable. They're only really interested in your recent ability to manage money, that's why credit files only last 6 years. Good luck and well done on getting your finances back together. You should consider sharing your story with people asking question on the site, it always inspiring to hear from people who have been through it and prospered.