Short term loans from £100 to £5,000

A short term loan is a type of borrowing designed to be repaid over a shorter period than traditional personal loans. Repayments usually run from 3 to 36 months, although exact terms depend on the lender and the amount you borrow. These loans can help cover unexpected costs, such as car repairs, home expenses, or bridging a temporary cash gap.

Unlike secured loans, most short term loans are unsecured, which means you don’t need to put up an asset such as your home. Lenders will look at your income, credit history, and overall affordability before making a decision.

It’s important to understand that short term loans can have higher interest rates compared to longer-term borrowing. Missing repayments may affect your credit score and make future borrowing more difficult. Always check the total cost of borrowing before applying and only borrow what you can afford to repay.

Many lenders provide instant eligibility decisions online. If approved, funds could be sent to your account the same day, but payout times vary depending on your bank, the lender, and whether additional checks are required.

At DotDotLoans, you can complete our form in just a few minutes. We’ll run a soft search with our panel of FCA-authorised lenders. This lets you see which short term loans you may be eligible for without affecting your credit score.

Remember, while some loans are paid quickly, there are no guarantees. If you need urgent financial support, you may also want to explore alternatives such as contacting your bank or seeking free advice from MoneyHelper or StepChange.

When you first check your eligibility with us, we only carry out a soft search. This is visible only to you and won’t affect your credit score. If you decide to go ahead and apply directly with a lender, they will perform a hard credit check. A hard check shows on your file and may temporarily lower your credit score.

If approved, keeping up with repayments on a short term loan could improve your credit history over time by showing that you can manage credit responsibly. However, missing payments or defaulting can harm your score and make it harder to get credit in the future.

The amount you can borrow depends on your circumstances and the lender’s criteria. With our panel of lenders, you could apply for between £100 and £5,000, with repayment terms ranging from 3 to 36 months.

The amount offered will depend on your income, affordability, and credit history. Borrowers with a strong financial profile may be offered higher amounts or better rates. If your credit history is less strong, lenders may restrict the amount you can borrow or shorten the repayment term.

Always borrow only what you need. Using a loan calculator can help you understand monthly repayments and the total cost of borrowing.

Yes, some lenders do consider applications from people with less-than-perfect credit. However, approval isn’t guaranteed and will depend on your circumstances, income, and affordability. Interest rates may also be higher if your credit history isn’t strong.

At DotDotLoans, we work with a panel of FCA-authorised lenders who look at more than just your credit score. Our soft search helps you see loan options you may be eligible for without affecting your credit file.

If your credit history makes it difficult to borrow, consider alternatives such as credit-builder cards or seeking free advice before applying.

Short term loans are typically used to cover unexpected expenses, such as urgent car repairs, replacing a household appliance, or managing a temporary financial shortfall. They can also be used for planned costs if you want to repay the money quickly.

However, they should not be used for long-term borrowing or to cover ongoing financial difficulties. Using a short term loan in this way could make your situation worse. Lenders will not usually approve loans for gambling, business purposes, or anything unlawful.

If you’re unsure whether a short term loan is right for you, consider alternatives such as arranging an overdraft with your bank, using savings, or speaking with a free debt advice service.

Short term loans from FCA-authorised lenders are regulated, meaning lenders must follow strict rules designed to protect consumers. This includes carrying out affordability checks, being transparent about interest rates and fees, and ensuring the loan is suitable for you.

At DotDotLoans, we only work with FCA-authorised lenders. This gives you the reassurance that your application is handled by a regulated business.

That said, any borrowing comes with risks. Missing repayments could damage your credit score and lead to additional charges. Before applying, always check whether repayments fit your budget and only borrow what you need.

If you need to borrow money, there are alternatives to short term loans that may suit your circumstances better. These include:

• Credit cards – useful for smaller purchases, especially if you can pay the balance in full each month.

• Overdrafts – available through your bank but often come with fees or higher interest rates.

• Longer-term personal loans – spread repayments over a longer period, which may lower monthly payments but increase the overall cost.

• Credit-builder products – can help improve your credit history if you have struggled to borrow before.

If you’re struggling financially, borrowing may not be the right solution. Free and impartial help is available from organisations such as MoneyHelper, StepChange, or National Debtline.