Personal loan
Borrow a fixed amount, repayable in instalments with interest.
Loans for bad credit
Compare loans for bad credit.
Complete a purchase and earn a reward with super save club logo
MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker not a lender. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident. Representative 23.3% APR
Can I get a loan if I have a bad credit score?
Even if you have a bad credit score you may still be able to borrow. Bad credit loans usually come with higher interest rates than other types of loans, but they can provide the money you need to cover important expenses or to consolidate debt.
Repaying the loan on time can also help you to improve your credit score.
What is a bad credit score?
If you don't know your credit score you can check it for free here. The table shows what credit agencies consider bad (or 'poor') credit scores.
Credit agency | Very bad | Bad | Fair |
|---|---|---|---|
TransUnion | 0-550 | 551-565 | 566-603 |
Equifax | 0-300 | 300-579 | 580-669 |
Experian | 0-560 | 561-720 | 721-880 |
How much can I borrow and how much will it cost?
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) shows the true cost of a loan, including both the interest you’ll pay and any standard fees. You can expect higher APRs on a loan for bad credit, so we have set the interest rate on the calculator to 23.9% to reflect this. The actual APR that you are offered will depend on your financial circumstances.
Loan calculator
Find out what monthly repayments would be, how much you'll pay overall and how much you could borrow.
£
%
Oops! That doesn't look quite right - can you check and enter again?
Results
Monthly cost
‐
Loan amount
‐
Interest
‐
Total amount
‐
Based on the information you supplied, you would be borrowing XXX and repaying the loan in XXX monthly instalments of . The total sum to repay, subject to XXX% APR over the full loan term would be XXX. This assumes there are no extra fees and that your payments are made on time and in full.
Afford to borrow
‐
Monthly cost
‐
Interest
‐
Total amount
‐
Based on the information you supplied, you could borrow XXX at a monthly repayment rate of to be paid over XXX monthly instalments. Over the full loan term at XXX% APR, the total amount repayable would be XXX. This assumes there are no extra fees and that your payments are made on time and in full.
Oops! That doesn't look quite right - can you check and enter again?
The maximum personal loan is £50,000
If you need a larger amount, consider a secured loan, which will allow you to borrow more but uses your home as collateral. Be aware that lenders can sell your house if you fail to keep up with repayments.
Most common term for debt consolidation loans:
5^
years
Average APR offered for debt consolidation loans:
15.6%^
What type of loan can I get?
Although your options may be more limited, there are three different types of loans that could be available.
-
-
Secured loan
Requires you to offer an asset like your home or car as security in case you can't repay the loan. Defaulting on the loan puts those assets at risk of repossession.
-
Guarantor loan
Involves somebody else (typically a friend or family member) agreeing to cover the debt if you can't. If you fail to make repayments on time it could also damage their credit score.
What are the pros and cons of bad credit loans?
it's important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of bad credit loans.
-
Pros
Helps you to access credit when you have a bad credit score
Can help you to improve your credit score
Can be used to combine several existing debts into one
-
Cons
Higher interest rates and charges than other types of loans
Missed payments damage your credit score further
Your home or other assets could be at risk
Is a bad credit loan right for me?
A bad credit loan could be right for you if you need access to funds quickly and are confident you can afford the repayments. It may help cover essential costs or consolidate more expensive debts, but it’s important to understand the risks.
Compare deals and check your eligibility before applying, to avoid having your application rejected, damaging your credit score further. If the loan feels like a short term fix for a long term money problem, free debt advice could be a better first step.
Our expert says…
Get familiar with your credit file before applying
Many of us aren’t familiar with our own credit files and yours might not be what you think it is – for good or bad!
If it’s better than expected, cheaper, mainstream borrowing options may be open to you. But if it’s worse, piling up more debt may not be the answer and a debt charity like StepChange may be a better place to get help sorting out your finances before looking for more credit.
Kate Hughes Money & Savings Expert
Improve your chances of getting a loan
Follow these steps to improve the chances of your loan application being successful.
-
Check your eligibility before applying
Too many loan applications is a red flag for lenders. An eligibility tool helps you to find out which loans you are most likely to be approved for without damaging your credit score.
-
Check and improve your credit score
-
Only borrow what you need and can afford
Only borrow what you need, and use our calculator to work out how much it will cost. Remember: the larger the loan, the less likely you are to be approved.
How can I find the best bad credit loan?
Here are three ways to find the best bad credit loan deal.
-
Compare deals
Use our loan comparison tool to compare rates from multiple lenders. It’s quick and it doesn’t harm your credit score.
-
Check the true cost
Look beyond the interest rate. Take note of any additional fees or charges that you may incur.
-
Know your credit score
Understand your credit score and how to improve it to be eligible for the best loan deals.
How to compare loans with MoneySuperMarket
We can help you find out which bad credit loans you're most likely to be approved for.
What are the alternatives?
A loan isn’t always the best answer. Here are some alternatives that could work depending on your situation.
-
Budgeting and debt advice
Get trustworthy, free debt resources and advice from Citizens Advice or Stepchange.
-
Borrowing from friends or family
Can make borrowing more affordable, but can also strain relationships.
-
Credit cards
Find out more about credit cards for bad credit and compare deals here.
Trusted Service Awards Winners
MoneySuperMarket has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
Can I get a bad credit loan without a guarantor?
Yes, some lenders offer loans to people with poor credit without requiring a guarantor, though interest is usually higher.
Will repaying help improve my credit score?
Making repayments in full and on time can help rebuild your credit profile over time.
Can I get instant approval for a bad credit loan?
Some lenders offer quick decisions, but approval still depends on your circumstances and affordability.
What if I can’t keep up with repayments?
Contact your lender straight away. They may agree a new plan. You can also get free debt advice from charities.
Can I get a loan without having a credit check?
No reputable lender will offer you a loan without a credit check. The Financial Conduct Authority requires all lenders to carry out a credit check on loan applicants.
Super save with MoneySuperMarket
You work hard to earn your money, and we don’t think you should waste a penny of it paying over the odds on your household bills. That’s why at MoneySuperMarket, we’re on a mission to save Britain money.
Whip your credit score into shape with Credit Score
Super save over and over again with Energy Monitor
There are always more ways to save with MoneySuperMarket
So how do we make our money? In a nutshell, when you use us to buy something, we get a reward from the company you’re buying from.
You might be wondering if we work with all the companies in the market, or if our commercial relationships with our partners might make us feature one company above another. We’ve got nothing to hide, and we want to give you clear answers when it comes to questions like these, so we’ve pulled together everything you need to know on this page.
Lenders
Curious about who’s behind the loans? Take a look at each lender’s page below to learn more:
Reviewed on 11 Dec 2025 by
Based on the loan enquirys made on MoneySuperMarket between September 2025 and November 2025.
Based on the loan enquirys made on MoneySuperMarket between September 2025 and November 2025.