Unsecured personal loans
A personal loan is not secured against your home or another asset. The lender assesses the application under its own eligibility, credit and affordability rules. Explore personal loans.
Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to MoneyHelper | Representative APR: 49.9%
Money Trumpet borrowing guide
Bad Credit Loans
Looking for a loan after missed payments, defaults or other credit problems? Apply online for between £500 and £10,000, subject to the lender’s checks and criteria.
Completing Money Trumpet’s form will not affect your credit score
All credit scores considered
No fee from Money Trumpet
Representative example
Amount of credit: £1,200 for 18 months at £90.46 per month. Total amount repayable: £1,628.28. Interest: £428.28. Interest rate: 49.9% p.a. (variable). Representative 49.9% APR variable. Rates between 8.8% APR and a maximum of 1698.1% APR.
Understanding your options
Loans for people with bad credit
Loans for people with bad credit are borrowing options offered by lenders that will consider applicants with an imperfect credit history. They are not one standard product: eligibility, interest rates and terms differ between lenders, and acceptance is never guaranteed.
A poor credit history or low credit score may follow missed or late payments, defaults, County Court Judgments or a limited borrowing history. A lender may look at your credit report alongside your income, current commitments and whether it believes the repayments are affordable.
Money Trumpet acts as a credit broker, not a direct lender, and does not make the lending decision. We will pass your application to a UK lender or another broker. That company will explain any credit check it carries out and the terms of any offer it makes.
Compare the structure and risk
What types of loans are available for people with bad credit?
Options can include unsecured personal loans, secured loans and guarantor loans, but availability depends on the provider and your circumstances.
Secured loans
A secured loan uses an asset—often your home—as security. Your property may be at risk if you do not keep up repayments. Explore secured loans.
Guarantor loans
A guarantor agrees to repay if the borrower does not. Both people should understand the financial and relationship risks before proceeding. Explore guarantor loans.
No type of loan is guaranteed or automatically suitable because someone has a low credit score. Compare the total cost and risk, not only whether a lender may accept the application.
The application journey
How do bad credit loans work?
You provide your information once, Money Trumpet will pass the application to a lender or another broker, and that company will complete its own assessment.
Check the key information
Read the representative example, eligibility information and risks before deciding whether to apply.
Complete the form
Tell us about the borrowing you are considering and provide the contact, personal and income details requested.
Application referral
Money Trumpet will pass your completed application to a lender or another broker for consideration.
Lender or broker checks
The company will contact you directly, complete its checks and explain any offer. You are free to decide whether to continue.
Who can apply for a bad credit loan?
To use Money Trumpet’s application service, you must be at least 18 years old and a permanent UK resident. Meeting these basic conditions does not mean that a lender will approve an application.
Each lender or broker sets its own eligibility and affordability rules. It may ask for evidence of regular income, identity and address, bank details and information about current financial commitments. The exact information and acceptable income sources can vary.
Is there a minimum credit score?
There is no single credit-score number that guarantees approval across all UK lenders. Credit reference agencies may display different scores, while lenders use their own policies and may consider several parts of an applicant’s circumstances.
Balanced comparison
What are the pros and cons of bad credit loans?
A loan for bad credit may provide access to borrowing when mainstream options are limited, but the cost and risk can be higher.
A wider range of applicants may be considered
Some providers assess people with a poor credit score or bad credit history rather than limiting applications to people with perfect credit.
A structured repayment schedule
If a loan is offered, the agreement should set out the payment dates, interest rate and total amount repayable.
Higher borrowing costs
Bad credit loans can come with higher interest rates, so compare loans using the total repayable as well as the monthly payment.
Greater risk if repayments are missed
Late or missed payments can add cost and have a negative impact on your credit rating. Secured borrowing can also put the asset at risk.
Lender assessment
What affects a lender’s decision?
A credit score can be part of the picture, but a lender may consider several factors before deciding whether to offer credit.
Income
The lender may consider the amount, source and regularity of your income.
Commitments
Existing credit, household costs and other regular commitments may affect affordability.
Credit history
Payment history, defaults, court judgments and current borrowing may be considered.
Application details
The requested amount, term, identity checks and the accuracy of the information can all matter.
Direct answer: a lender may decline an application even when another lender might accept it, because lending policies differ. Avoid making several applications in quick succession simply to test multiple lenders.
How much could a bad credit loan cost?
Bad credit loans can cost more than mainstream borrowing because some lenders price for the additional risk they believe they are taking. Compare the APR, monthly repayment, total amount repayable, fees and consequences of missing a payment before agreeing to borrow.
The representative example near the top of this page illustrates one possible cost, but it is not a personalised quote. The rate and terms in any offer may be different and will be confirmed by the lender or broker.
| What to compare | What it tells you | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| APR | An annual measure designed to help compare the cost of credit. | Useful for comparison, but it is not the only figure to check. |
| Monthly repayment | The amount normally due each month. | It needs to remain affordable for the full term. |
| Total amount repayable | The overall amount paid back if the agreement runs as stated. | This shows the total cost more clearly than the monthly payment alone. |
| Fees and late-payment consequences | Any relevant charges and what may happen after a missed payment. | Missed payments can add cost and harm your credit record. |
Will applying affect your credit score?
Money Trumpet does not search your credit file. However, a lender or other broker receiving your application may carry out its own checks, and it should explain the type of check and how your information will be used.
A soft eligibility check is not normally visible to other lenders, while a hard credit search can be recorded on your credit file and may be seen by other lenders. Do not assume that every lender or broker uses the same type of search.
If you have recently been declined, first review why and check your credit reports for mistakes. Several full applications over a short period may make it harder to obtain credit. Read our guide to how lenders make loan decisions for a deeper explanation.
What should you consider before applying?
Before applying for a loan with bad credit, decide whether borrowing is necessary, work out the full repayment cost and check that each payment would remain affordable if your circumstances changed. A lower monthly payment over a longer term can still mean paying more overall.
Think carefully if the loan would be used to meet everyday bills or repay existing debts. New borrowing can postpone rather than solve an underlying shortfall. If you are already missing payments, speak to creditors early and consider free debt advice before taking on more credit.
Could another option be more suitable?
Depending on the reason for borrowing, alternatives could include changing the amount or timing of a purchase, using savings without leaving yourself short for essentials, checking benefit entitlement, arranging a payment plan or contacting a credit union. The right choice depends on your circumstances.
MoneyHelper provides free, impartial information about deciding whether to borrow. If debt is already difficult to manage, use its debt-advice locator.
Common questions
Bad credit loan FAQs
Clear answers to common questions about applying through Money Trumpet.
Can I get a loan with bad credit?
It may be possible, but approval is not guaranteed. The lender will consider its lending policy, your credit history, income, commitments and whether it believes repayments are affordable.
What credit score do I need for a bad credit loan?
There is no universal minimum score used by every lender. Credit reference agencies calculate scores differently, and lenders apply their own criteria to the information available.
Does Money Trumpet carry out a credit search?
No. Money Trumpet does not search your credit file. A lender or broker receiving the application may carry out its own checks and should explain them directly.
Can I get a bad credit loan with no credit check?
Money Trumpet does not carry out a credit search, but you should not assume there will be no credit check. The lender or broker may check your credit record, identity and affordability before deciding whether to offer or arrange a loan.
Will I definitely be accepted?
No. Money Trumpet does not make lending decisions, and submitting the application form does not guarantee that a lender or broker will make or arrange an offer.
How much can I borrow and for how long?
Loan amounts from £500 to £10,000 are available. Repayment terms vary, and any amount and term offered will depend on the provider’s products, checks and assessment of your application.
Do bad credit loans have higher interest rates?
They can. Some lenders charge higher rates when they consider an applicant a greater lending risk. Always compare the APR, monthly payment and total amount repayable before accepting an offer.
Can I apply after another lender has declined me?
You can consider another application, but first check why you were declined and whether borrowing is still affordable. Repeated full applications over a short period may affect how other lenders view your credit file.
Can I apply if I have defaults, CCJs or missed payments?
Some providers consider applicants with previous credit problems, but their rules vary. They will decide how recent and serious the issues are, what else appears on your credit report and whether the repayments look affordable.
Can I apply if I am unemployed or receive benefits?
Some lenders or brokers may consider sustainable benefit or other non-employment income, while others may not. Acceptance is never guaranteed. See our information about loans for unemployed people and loans for people on benefits.
Who receives my application?
Money Trumpet will pass your completed application to a lender or another broker for consideration. The final list of companies we work with is still to be confirmed, and the relevant information will be presented as part of the application journey.
Who contacts me after I apply?
The lender or broker will contact you directly to complete its checks, request any further information and explain any offer it is prepared to make or arrange.
Can I get a bad credit loan without a guarantor?
Some loans do not require a guarantor, but availability depends on the lender and your circumstances. A guarantor loan is a separate type of product with different responsibilities for the guarantor.
Can repaying a loan improve my credit score?
Making every payment on time may help build a positive payment history, but it does not guarantee that your credit score will rise. Scores can change for several reasons, and missing payments can damage your credit record.
What can a bad credit loan be used for?
Permitted loan purposes vary by lender. Before borrowing money, check that the provider allows the intended use and consider whether saving, a payment plan or another non-credit option would cost less.
Helpful next steps
Guides about credit and borrowing
Use these guides to understand the application process and strengthen your financial position.
Application guide
How to Get a Loan With Bad Credit in the UK
Steps to prepare, compare options and avoid unnecessary applications.
Credit healthHow to Improve Your Credit Score
Practical actions that may help strengthen your credit profile over time.
Lender checksHow Loan Decisions Are Made
Understand affordability, credit history and other information lenders may assess.
Sources and review information
Reviewed 15 September 2026. Key external guidance: MoneyHelper — Can I get a loan with bad credit?; MoneyHelper — What to do if you have been refused credit; and the Financial Conduct Authority’s credit-broking rules.
Ready to apply?
Get started by completing our simple bad credit loan application form.