
- May 12, 2026
- Mark Elwes
What Types of Loans Can You Get with Bad Credit in the UK?
Table of Contents
Getting a loan with bad credit is difficult due to past credit mistakes. CCJ, bankruptcy, missed payments, and defaults may lead to quick disapproval. It is when you partner with mainstream loan companies. However, loan companies that offer loans for individuals with bad credit may help.
They consider current affordability and base their decision on income, employment history, residential history and financial behaviour. Thus, you may get a loan with a bad credit history in the UK. The blog discusses the types that you may consider.
What is a bad credit loan?
Bad credit loans are unsecured (or sometimes secured) personal loans that specialist loan companies offer to borrowers rejected by mainstream banks due to past missed payments, defaults, CCJs, or low credit history.
These products focus less on a “perfect” credit file and more on your current income, expenses, and ability to repay. You may check secured and unsecured loans for bad credit. The interest rates on basic unsecured loans remain challenging. However, you may get better rates by proving income, a low debt-to-income ratio, and well-managed finances.
When to check an online bad credit loan?
You can check online bad credit loans in the UK if:
- You have pending payments in your credit report
- You need an urgent loan despite a CCJ, loan default, or bankruptcy status
- You are tired of application rejections
- You must meet an urgent need without worrying about your credit score
- You need to build your credit score from scratch
- You can repay the dues, given your current income
How can bad credit loans help meet needs seamlessly?
Bad credit loans may help you meet needs seamlessly when all doors seem closed. Here are some other ways the loan might help:
- Provide quick access to cash when you need it
- It helps you cover urgent needs without worrying about losing your credit score
- You can consolidate debts to fetch better interest rates and terms
- Meet life’s important goals without delaying them due to credit needs
- A structured payment plan with fixed payments makes it easier to avoid the minimum payment plan.
Loans you may get with a bad credit history in the UK
Check the loans you may get with a bad credit history. You must meet the basic affordability criteria.
A no guarantor loan may help if you don’t want to involve someone else in the loan. It could be due to keeping the financial matters private. No guarantor loans help you manage the loan. You may qualify for the loan with consistent income and updated financial and personal information. The interest rates remain decently high as no third party is involved. You can manage loan payments privately and pay according to your convenience.
An unsecured loan is a loan that does not require collateral. Instead, the loan affordability is based on current income and financial behaviour. Tap the loan for bill payments, debt consolidation, home renovation, car repair, etc. The interest rates on these loans also stay high due to the lack of collateral. You may get up to £25000 on unsecured loans. Identify the requirements, compare APR and total loan costs before applying.
Instalment loans help you split the purchase costs into easy and fixed instalments over the loan term. It could be a short- or long-term loan depending on the amount and purpose. For example, you may consider these personal loans for bad credit in the UK for wall painting, boiler replacement, roof repair, medical surgeries, etc.
You may get weekly instalment loans. It is if you do not want to exceed payments. You may get up to 15000 pounds for your needs. The instalments or the repayments remain fixed over the loan term.
Bad credit loans are specifically for individuals with credit issues like CCJ, bankruptcy, loan defaults, etc. It may help one fetch better interest rates and terms than traditional loans. However, the interest rates and terms stay a bit strict on these loans.
Therefore, compare APR, interest, and total repayment amount before borrowing. Have a bank account with a direct debit facility? It may help with a quick approval.
Bottom line
Yes, you may get a loan with a bad credit history in the UK. However, the options are limited, and apply with loan companies providing bad credit loans. It increases the chances of getting a loan and fetches better interest rates. Check which of these loan options you can consider for a bad credit score. Identify your purpose, amount, and interest before choosing.
FAQs
- How can you get low-interest loans with bad credit?
You can get low interest on bad credit loans by proving improved income, applying for a smaller amount than required, fetching the lowest APR, and keeping the credit utilization ratio to 30%. Alternatively, you can check secured and guarantor loans for bad credit scores. These loans may help you grab a higher amount at low interest rates.
- What to check before applying for any bad credit loan?
Check APR, interest, total repayable amount, early repayment, or hidden charges before applying for a bad credit loan. Check whether you are dealing with an authorised loan company. Identify the loan terms and check for the hidden costs (if any). It may make the loan costlier. Check whether the company charges an upfront fee. If yes, don’t proceed further.
- Which credit aspects affect the loan approval the most?
Credit score, payment history, debt-to-income ratio, credit utilisation rate, income stability, and CCJs affect the loan approval. Individuals with low credit utilisation ratios, debt-to-income ratios, and settled CCJs may still get approved for better interest rates.
- How to use bad credit loans the credit-friendly way?
Using a bad credit loan in a credit‑friendly way means you get the money you need without hurting your score further. It is about improving it over time. You can do that by borrowing only what you truly need, paying the worst-impacting debt, or using debt consolidation. Remain consistent with the loan payments. Set direct debits to clear dues.
- How to avoid defaulting on the bad credit loan?
Understand the loan and schedule instalments with automatic payments. You must have a bank account with a direct debit facility for that. Contact the loan company if you cannot make the repayments. They may help you with an alternative payment arrangement that aligns with your requirements. Check whether you can prepay the loan amount without penalties.

Mark Elwes is the Editor-in-Chief at Extramilefinance. He is a notable member of the content strategy team since his joining in 2017. Driven by his fondness for the finance industry, he has spent years gathering as much knowledge as possible about various financial products that include loans also. Previously, Mark worked as a senior journalist writer with experience in writing blogs and articles.
