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 way to find out if you’re eligible for a loan without harming your chances of being accepted.

You will usually need a fair to good credit score to be eligible for a £2,000 personal loan. But there are also specialist lenders who can offer loans to those who have had debt or credit problems in the past. When you search for a loan with MoneySuperMarket we’ll show you which deals you could be eligible for and your chances of being accepted – all without further hurting your credit score – so you can make an informed decision.

Before you apply for any credit or loan it’s a good idea to get a copy of your free credit file and check your credit score. You can also take steps to boost your rating before you apply for a loan.

A secured loan requires you to put up a valuable asset – usually your home – as security against your borrowing. Typically this might mean you can borrow more, or at more competitive interest rates, compared to an unsecured loan. But be aware your home is at risk if you cannot meet the repayments on your secured loan as the lender could apply to repossess the property to get its funds if you default.

Once you’re accepted for your £2,000 loan you will usually receive the funds direct into your bank account. This can happen very quickly – depending on the lender, but anything from a couple of hours to within a few days. If you have not received your funds and you are concerned contact your loan provider direct.

Your lender will usually ask what you want the loan for when you apply for the funds. Different lenders will have their own policies about what you can borrow an unsecured loan for, but usually you’ll be able to borrow for a wide range of reasons, such as a car, holiday, home improvements, wedding or debt consolidation. The only red flag to lenders might be if you need the loan to cover your day-t0-day costs and bills. In this instance you probably would not get the loan.