Ok, I'll rephrase - the credit file remains open for 6 years - Yes. However - speaking from my own experience through working for a lender, we only look at the last year.
Each lender has their own criteria of who they will lend to and what is good - ok to lend to, and bad - who we will not lend to. The odd missed payment is no big deal, trick is not to have too many over a 12 month period - effectively you have a yearly allowance you mustnt go over if you want to maintain a healthy credit file. And dont ever miss more than 2 payments in a row = bad.