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Representative example: If you borrow £10,000, with a fee of £481, at a rate of 1.8 % (fixed) p.a. you would make 60 monthly repayments of £182.71. The total amount repayable is £10,962.60. Representative 3.7% APR.
What is a loan?
A loan is a type of credit, usually a sum of money that is borrowed and expected to be paid back over an agreed period of time with interest.
When it comes to keeping your financial plans moving, a little boost can make all the difference. A loan could be useful if you need help to reach a goal – whether you’re looking to buy a new car, renovate your home or deal with some existing debts.
We can help find the right loan for you - and this should mean big savings in the interest you pay. Our eligibility checker shows you your chance of being accepted, as well as the guaranteed rate, so you can see all your options.
MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker – this means we’ll show you products offered by lenders. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident.
You can use a loan for a range of purposes, including:
Found your dream car but don’t have the savings to buy it outright? A loan can help you enjoy your new wheels by spreading the cost of the car into manageable repayments.
Looking to make renovations to your house? From a new kitchen to a new bathroom, a home improvement loan can help fund the cost of home improvements.
A bridging loan can help you to buy a new property before you sell your current home, by ‘bridging’ the gap between sale and completion.
Finding one low interest rate loan for all your debts can bring the ease of having just one payment to deal with instead of different cards and loans on the go (where it may be easy to lose track and miss payments!).
Whether your holiday is abroad or in the UK, a holiday loan can help towards the cost of your next adventure if you don’t have the savings to help out.
While a wedding may be the best day of your life, it can also be an expensive one! A wedding loan can help manage the cost of your big day and minimise money worries.
There are different types of loans available depending on your needs. Which loan you can get will depend on your financial situation…
An unsecured loan, or personal loan means you don't need to use something you own as collateral. Lenders use your financial history to decide if you qualify and how much you can borrow - it helps if you have a good credit score and have kept up with debt repayments before.
With a secured loan or homeowner loan, you put up an asset - usually a property that you own or pay the mortgage on - as security. If you don’t keep up with the repayments, the lender can seize the asset – meaning you could lose your home.
Guarantor loans are another option if you have poor or limited credit. They work like a regular loan, except that you need a guarantor when you apply. This is someone (normally a family member) who promises to make your repayments if you miss any.
Am I eligible for a loan with bad credit?
If you have bad credit, your choice of loans may be limited. But this doesn’t mean there aren’t options available to suit you.
If your credit score isn’t so good, it can be a tougher process to get a regular loan. With this in mind, a bad credit loan could be an option. These loans are aimed at those with a poor or limited credit history, so they’re easier to qualify for. But they usually have higher interest rates and lower borrowing limits – so they can be more expensive.
Representative 35.7% APR
A higher credit score means you’re more likely to be accepted for a wider range of loan rates, so growing your score could give you more offers to choose from.
Check your score with Credit Monitor, then get regular updates and personalised tips to help it grow – all for free.
It’s important for you to work out what your loan will cost you in terms of monthly repayments over the term. Whether you’re looking to take a £5,000 loan or even £15,000, our loans calculator can help you work out how much you can afford to borrow by entering how much you can afford to pay back each month and the length of time you can afford to pay that amount (and at what interest rate.)
It’s worth noting that smaller loans tend to have higher interest rates, which can affect the affordability of your loan - so if you take out a loan over a longer term you should be able to bring the repayments down.
| Representative example | ||
|---|---|---|
| Loans Amount | Monthly repayments | Length of agreement |
| £10,000 | £179.07 | 60 months |
| Total amount repayable | Representative | Annual Rate of Interest (nominal) |
| £10,744.50 | 2.9% APR | 2.86% |
When you apply for a loan, it’s not always clear what deal you’ll be offered or whether you’ll be accepted. But when you’re pre-approved for a loan, you know the deal you see is the deal you’ll get – you’ll know where you stand, with information that will help you make the right choice.
When you’re pre-approved, the
loan amount, duration and interest
rate are all confirmed
When you know what you’ll be able to
borrow and how much it will cost, you
can choose a loan that’s right for you
This helps protect your credit score as
you’re less likely to be rejected when
you apply
Unlike some of our competitors, MoneySuperMarket is not owned by an insurance company. So we can offer the best value, with savings delivered straight to you.
We combine independence, so we can negotiate the best prices, with excellent technology, to find the best value products and services.
That makes us, in our customers' opinions, the best price comparison website.
We’re here to help find the right loan for you, so we’ll tell you which rates you’re guaranteed to get.
Tell us a little about yourself, your finances and the loan you want
We’ll search through loans from a wide range of lenders on the market
You’ll be able to sort loans by the overall cost and the likelihood you’ll be accepted
We’re aware that some fraudsters are trying to use the MoneySuperMarket brand to trick consumers into handing over money or financial details, by offering fake loans with eye-catching interest rates.
The best way to stop these scams is to report them.
Check out our tips on how to keep you and your family safe from scams.
A secured loan is a loan you can take out that’s tied to an asset of yours as security. For example a mortgage is a type of secured loan, and the asset would be the house you take the mortgage out on – when you repay the loan the house is yours, but if you don’t repay then the lender could seize your house.
An unsecured loan isn’t tied to any collateral, and as a result you normally need at least a fair credit score to qualify. There is also often a maximum amount you’ll be allowed to borrow.
You can take out a loan for a number of reasons, ranging from home improvements or education to big purchases like buying a car – however it’s unlikely you’ll be approved for a loan to cover you day-to-day costs.
The amount you’ll be eligible to borrow will depend on your personal circumstances – if you have a poor or limited credit history, you may not be able to borrow as much as someone with a good credit history.
The length of your loan can vary depending on the type of loan you take out and the provider you choose, but it could be anywhere between a year and ten years. Taking out a loan for a longer period of time may reduce your monthly payments, but you may end up paying more for the loan due to interest payments.
Different lenders and different types of loans will have varying requirements, but in general whether or not you qualify will depend on your personal details and your credit history. However you can always compare loans on MoneySuperMarket – all you need to do is answer a few questions about the loan you want to take out and you’ll be given a tailored list, which you can sort by interest rates and the likelihood of your application being accepted.
You can generally apply for loans by contacting the provider you choose – either by calling through the phone, sending an application form through the post, applying online, or dropping in to their branch (if they have one) to apply in person.
For many loans you’ll need a good credit history to be accepted, but some providers also offer loans designed for people with poor or no credit. For example, you can get guarantor loans where someone else will commit to make your repayments if you can’t.
A soft-search or soft-application is a way of finding out where you stand in terms of getting a loan without leaving a mark on your credit report. It’s a useful way of finding a loan you’ll be eligible for without harming your chances of being accepted.
Missing repayments can mean you might be fined by your lender, and it could also end any low or zero interest incentives you have. It may even lead to a hike in the interest rate you’ll make future repayments at.
APR, or your Annual Percentage Rate, is the interest rate at which you pay back money you’ve borrowed. It takes into account the actual interest rate you pay, plus any other fees or charges involved in the deal, to give you a more complete picture of what you loan will cost.
When you see a rate advertised as the representative APR, this means the lender is required to offer this rate to at least 51% of applicants – however it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to receive this interest rate yourself.
Debt consolidation is when you take out a single loan to repay the debts you have with different providers – this way you can pay off the debt with a single monthly repayment, rather than lots of repayments to a variety of lenders.
A repayment holiday is when you don’t have to make any loan repayments for a certain period of time that you’ve agreed with your lender. They’re generally good for when you’ve had a temporary change of circumstances, such as unemployment, maternity, or unexpected expenditures.
You’ll normally be able to pay off all or part of your loan early, though some lenders may have an early payment charge.
If you’re struggling with your finances and you think you might not be able to make your repayments, you should call your lender as soon as possible – they may be able to help you work out an easier repayment plan or a repayment holiday. Not letting your bank know could mean you’ll be penalised for missing any payments.
Many households are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living keeps rising. There's little spare cash around to build up an emergency fund, which means it can be tricky to pay for a new washing machine or boiler if your old one breaks down. Maybe you need a new car, or perhaps you're planning a holiday, a wedding or a home makeover?
Let’s face it, most people at some point in their lives need to borrow some money. So it’s important to understand the pros and cons of the different types of loan, as well as how to secure the best rates. If not, you could end up with a poor deal – and costly credit can send you into a downward debt spiral.
Loans can broadly be divided into two categories: secured and unsecured. With a secured loan, the lender will insist on some sort of security against the money you borrow, often a house or car. If you default on the payments, the bank or building society can then sell the asset to clear the debt.
You can usually borrow large amounts with a secured loan, and at a lower rate of interest. Plus, you can pay back the debt over a long time period, perhaps 10 or 15 years.
However, secured loans are more risky than unsecured loans because you could lose your collateral if you cannot clear the debt. You should therefore think very carefully - and consider other options - before taking out a secured loan.
You can typically borrow as little as £1,000 up to a maximum of £25,000 with an unsecured loan – also known as a personal loan.
The interest rate is usually fixed and you pay back the debt over a set term, normally one, three or five years. Personal loans can therefore help you to budget because you know at the outset the full cost of your borrowings and how long they will take to clear.
For example, if you are getting married and the wedding is set to cost £7,500, you could take out a loan for £7,500 at 3% over three years. Your monthly payments would be fixed at £217.98 and you would pay total interest of £347.11 over the 36-month term.
Representative example: If you borrow £7,500, you would make 36 monthly repayments of £217.98. The total amount repayable is £7,847.11. Representative 3.0% APR, 3.0% (fixed) p.a.
If you have run up other debts at high rates of interest, a personal loan can be a good way to manage your borrowings and bring down the cost. Let’s say you have built up a debt of £3,000 on a store card that charges interest of 29%. You could take out a loan for £3,000 at, say, 9%, to pay off the store card balance and reduce the monthly payment. If you also cut up the store card, you would not be tempted to go on a spreading spree and add to your debt burden!
Interest rates on personal loans vary across the market, but as a rough rule of thumb, the more you borrow, the lower the rate. For example, you might pay interest of 9% on a £3,000 loan, but only 3% on a loan of £7,000. It can therefore make sense to borrow a larger amount, say £7,000 instead of £6,500. Just make sure you don’t take on a debt that you cannot afford to repay.
The size of the loan will to some extent determine the term of the loan. It is, for example, difficult to pay off a £7,000 loan in just one year as the monthly payments would be relatively high. However, if you borrow only £1,000, a term of 12 months is more manageable.
You also have to consider the cost implications of the loan term as the longer the term, the lower the monthly payments – but the higher the total cost.
The interest rates on personal loans depend partly on the loan amount and term. But lenders also assess your creditworthiness, usually by looking at your credit file.
The lowest rates are reserved for the best customers – that is, borrowers with a spotless credit record. If you are judged likely to default on the loan because of a poor credit history, you will be charged a higher rate of interest or your application will be turned down.
In other words, there is no guarantee that you will qualify for the advertised rates. Lenders are allowed to boast of low representative rates if those rates are charged to 51% of successful applicants, which means almost half could be charged a higher rate.
You can pay off your debt before the end of the loan term if you come into some cash. But watch out for early repayment fees. Many lenders levy a penalty for early repayment, which could wipe out any potential interest savings. Some lenders also charge arrangement fees for personal loans, which you should factor into your cost calculations.
You should try to work out how much you can afford to borrow and pay back before applying for a loan. This way you can look for loans in your borrowing range, giving yourself the best chance of being accepted as well as ensuring you don’t take on a loan that you can’t afford – you could even try MoneySuperMarket’s loan calculator for guidance.
Likewise it’s better to avoid taking out a loan without thinking carefully whether you need it, and whether the cost of the loan is worth what you’re taking it out for. For example, it’s probably not a good idea to take a loan out for everyday purchases – a credit card might be more suitable.
Interest free periods can be useful when you’re borrowing, but you should always keep an eye on how long this will last. Once the interest free period ends you may be moved on to a high rate instead, so it can be a good idea to pay off as much of your debt as you can during this interest free period.
Variable rate deals mean the interest rate at which you make repayments can change whenever the lender decides to change it – though often lenders will use the Bank of England base rate as a guideline. While this means that your repayments could be less if the base rate falls, they could also go up if the rate rises, so it could be a good idea to ensure you’ll be able to cope with interest rate fluctuations before taking out a variable rate loan.
Loan sharks should always be avoided – they’re illegal, not regulated by any financial organisations, and they generally charge massively high interest rates. What’s more, if you aren’t able to repay them you may be pressured into borrowing even more money, which could lead to a spiral of debt.
Payday loans may be legitimate, but they can come with incredibly high interest rates sometimes reaching over 1000% - which could make even a small loan turn into a debt spiral. Learn more with our guide to payday loans.
Every loan application you make, just like credit applications, leave a mark on your credit report. Too many of these will give lenders the impression that you are desperate to take out a loan, which could imply that you’re struggling to manage your finances – as a result, lenders may be more reluctant to let you borrow from them in the future.
Rather than making lots of applications and hoping one will stick, you may be better off running a soft check on your credit score to see what kinds of loans you’ll be eligible for. This way you can minimise your applications and reduce the chance of you damaging your credit.
Often with loans, the more you borrow the less interest you’ll end up paying. It can vary by lenders, but you should always check on the interest rate they charge as there might be a chance you actually pay less overall by choosing a bigger loan with a lower interest rate.
The best way to find the right deal on a loan is to shop around, and by comparing deals on MoneySuperMarket you’ll be able to browse a list tailored specifically for you. All you need to do is answer a few questions about the loan you need and you’ll be able to compare loans from a number of different providers by the rate you’ll pay back at as well as how likely you are to be accepted.
How to secure the best card or loan deal in a lending squeeze
Can you get a loan without a credit check?
Need a loan in a hurry? Make sure you're fully informed with our guide to emergency loans
If you’ve struggled with bad credit in the past but need money quickly, you may be worried about being rejected for a loan. Our guide covers how short term loans work and if you can get one with a low credit score... If you need money quickly but are worried you’ll be turned down for borrowing, our guide might be able to help
Being able to get money quickly with few credit checks may seem appealing to potential borrowers, but with high interest rates and the amount you can borrow being capped, they won’t be for everyone. Our guide covers how quick payout loans work and what you need to know
Is there a way of guaranteeing a successful loan application? If not, how do you maximise your chances of being approved? Our guide explains
A bridge loan can be a good solution for short-term borrowing. Our guide covers how bridge loans work so you can decide if they’re the right choice for you
Secured loans can be a way to borrow more, by using your home (or other valuable asset) as security. Understand how secured loans work in our guide with pros and cons to consider.
Secured loans can be a way to borrow more, by using your home (or other valuable asset) as security. Understand how secured loans work in our guide with pros and cons to consider.
The cheapest loan is not always the one with the lowest monthly repayments. Find out more with this guide.
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