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Extremely bad credit loans

If your credit history isn’t perfect, you might feel like there aren’t many options when you need to borrow.

How much would you like to borrow?
Representative 79.5% Rates from 48.1% APR to 1721% APR. The minimum Loan Term is 3 months. The maximum Loan Term is 36 months. Representative Example: £1,000 borrowed for 18 months. Monthly Repayment of £89.22. The total amount repayable is £1605.96. Interest amounts to £570.44, an annual interest rate of 59.97% (fixed) Representative APR: 79.5% (variable). *Subject to lender approval. Cash within 60 minutes is possible, depending on whether your bank supports Faster Payments. Otherwise, funds may take 24–48 hours to arrive.

At Dot Dot Loans, we know that life doesn’t always go to plan. A low credit score doesn’t tell the whole story. Whether you’ve missed payments, had a County Court Judgment (CCJ), entered a debt solution or defaulted in the past, there may still be short-term loan options from FCA-authorised lenders.

Extremely bad credit loans are for people who’ve had trouble borrowing in the past and may not be approved by mainstream lenders. They can offer a short-term way to manage urgent costs, like car repairs, surprise bills or important home expenses, when there aren’t many other options.

How Do Extremely Bad Credit Loans Work?

Some lenders specialise in helping people with extremely bad credit. Rather than focusing only on your credit score, they look at your current financial situation. This might include checking your income, spending and whether you can realistically afford the repayments. Tools like Open Banking or affordability assessments can help them build a fuller picture.

These loans can be either unsecured or secured. Unsecured loans don’t require any collateral, but the interest rates are often higher. Secured loans are backed by property or another asset. This can make them slightly easier to get, but there’s more risk involved if you can’t keep up with repayments.

Can I Get a Loan with Extremely Bad Credit?

Getting approved is never guaranteed, but some lenders are open to working with people who’ve had credit problems in the past. They’ll look at your current circumstances, not just your past history.

If you’re earning regularly, in stable employment, and can show you can manage the repayments, you might still be considered. It all comes down to affordability.

Things to Keep in Mind

Borrowing when you’ve already got poor credit needs careful thought. These loans often come with higher interest rates because there’s more risk for the lender. Always read the terms, compare your options and use soft search tools where possible. These checks won’t affect your credit score and can help you understand your chances before applying.

If you are struggling to get approved, it may be worth speaking to a free debt advice service first. In some situations, taking on more borrowing may not be the most suitable option for you.

How Dot Dot Loans Can Help

At Dot Dot Loans, we’re here to help you explore your options. We’re a credit broker, not a lender, so we don’t make lending decisions. But we work with a panel of trusted, FCA-authorised lenders who may be able to help, even if you’ve been turned down before. Our service is free to use, and any checks carried out are soft searches, so there’s no impact on your credit score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a loan with extremely bad credit and no guarantor?

It is possible to get a loan with very poor credit without a guarantor, as some lenders specialise in this type of borrowing. However, you may find that interest rates are higher to reflect the increased risk. Any decision will depend on factors such as your income, affordability and overall financial situation.

Will applying for a bad credit loan hurt my credit score?

Using an eligibility checker that carries out a soft search will not affect your credit score. If you go on to make a full application, the lender may carry out a hard search, which can have an impact on your credit file.

What interest rates can I expect with extremely bad credit?

If you have very poor credit, interest rates are often higher because lenders see this as a greater risk. Before applying, it is important to check the representative APR and make sure the repayments fit comfortably within your monthly budget.

What alternatives are there to extremely bad credit loans?

Depending on your circumstances, there may be other options to consider before taking out a loan. These can include credit unions, which often offer more affordable borrowing, support from friends or family, or getting help with budgeting. You may also benefit from speaking to a free debt advice service, who can help you explore the most suitable options for your situation.