Spend in hours, not poundsDownload our new 118M8 app Spend your hours wisely

118 118 money helpers illustration

Short Term Loans for Bad Credit

118 118 money helpers illustration
  • Borrow £1,000 to £8,000
  • Repay over 12 to 60 months
  • Check eligibility with no impact on your credit score
Check my eligibility nowThis won't affect your credit score

Representative example: Amount of credit £2,000 for 24 months. Interest rate: 41.2% pa (fixed). 24 scheduled monthly payments of £123.64. Total amount payable: £2,967.43. Representative 49.9% APR.

Need a short term loan but worried about bad credit?

When money is tight, short term borrowing can look like the fastest answer. 118 118 Money offers personal loans that may be considered even if your credit history is less than perfect.

You can check your eligibility before you apply. That means you can see whether you are likely to be accepted without leaving a mark on your credit score.

A safer first step than rushing applications

A full loan application leaves a mark on your credit file. If you have bad credit, making several rushed applications can make things harder, not easier.

Our eligibility check helps you take the sensible first step: check the chance of acceptance, understand the offer, then decide whether applying is right for you.

Check your eligibility before you apply
See whether you are likely to be accepted without affecting your credit score.
Check my eligibilityThis won't affect your credit score
person wearing sunglasses
Why people search for short term loans with bad credit

People searching this term usually need a short-term answer and a lender that will still consider a less-than-perfect credit history. Common reasons include:

Urgent costs. You may need help with a car repair, home emergency, or bill that cannot wait.

Bad-credit anxiety. You want to know whether you have a chance before making a full application.

Clear repayments. A fixed monthly repayment can be easier to plan around than repeated short-term borrowing.

No guarantor. You apply in your own name, without asking someone else to back the borrowing.

Eligibility first. You can check your chance of acceptance first, with no impact on your credit score.

118 118 money helpers illustration

3 simple steps to get started

  • Check your eligibility with no impact to your credit score
  • Set up your account, direct debit and sign
  • Receive funds in 15 minutes*
Check my eligibilityThis won't affect your credit score. *This can vary from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on your bank.

What lenders may look at

When you apply for borrowing with bad credit, lenders typically look beyond a single credit score. They may review your credit profile, income, regular outgoings, existing commitments, and whether the repayments look manageable.

That is why an eligibility check can be a sensible first step. It helps you understand whether you are likely to be accepted before moving to a full application.

Why consider 118 118 Money as an alternative

118 118 Money is not a payday lender. We offer personal loans from £1,000 to £8,000 with repayment terms from 12 to 60 months, depending on your individual circumstances. If you are accepted, you can complete the process online and funds could be received in as little as 15 minutes, although timings can vary by bank.

As with any borrowing, only take out credit if it is affordable and right for your situation. If you are already struggling with bills or debt, free debt advice may be a better first step than more borrowing.

Read what our customers think about us

Short Term Loans for Bad Credit FAQs

You can check your eligibility even if your credit history is less than perfect. Approval is not guaranteed, and 118 118 Money will still carry out credit and affordability checks before lending.

Yes. Our eligibility check helps you see whether you are likely to be accepted without affecting your credit score.

If accepted, you can borrow £1,000 to £8,000 and repay over 12 to 60 months, depending on your individual circumstances.

No. You apply in your own name and the application is assessed on your own circumstances.

Once approved and set up, funds could be received in as little as 15 minutes. This can vary from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on your bank.

118 118 money helpers illustration

Ready to check your eligibility?

See whether you are likely to be accepted before you apply. It won't affect your credit score.

118 118 money helpers illustration

Credit is subject to status, affordability and credit checks. Credit is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Terms and conditions apply.