Coronavirus (COVID-19) personal loans update
Some personal loan providers are offering payment holidays on personal loans to ease financial difficulties during the coronavirus outbreak.
- Find out more: what coronavirus means for borrowing
You can find more of the latest updates and advice related to the COVID-19 outbreak over on our dedicated Which? coronavirus information hub.
Cheapest £5,000 loans compared
The table below shows the best deals available for a £5,000 loan paid back over three years. If you're looking for a way to spread the cost of a big purchase, you may want to consider one of the deals below.
| Provider | APR % | Monthly £ | Total Payable |
Risk-based pricing If a lender uses risk-based pricing, you may be offered a loan at a higher interest rate than the one listed below, depending on your credit history. |
Early repayment charge Whether you'll have to pay an extra fee if you want to repay the loan early. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco Bank | 3.4% | £146.17 | £5,262.12 | Yes | Yes |
| Representative Example: The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan at a fixed rate of 3.4% APR representative | |||||
| MBNA Limited | 3.5% | £146.39 | £5,270.04 | Yes | Yes |
| Representative Example: The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan at a fixed rate of 3.5% APR representative | |||||
| Hitachi Personal Finance | 3.5% | £146.39 | £5,270.04 | Yes | No |
| Representative Example: The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan at a fixed rate of 3.5% APR representative | |||||
| Sainsbury's Bank | 3.6% | £146.60 | £5,277.60 | Yes | Yes |
| Representative Example: The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan at a fixed rate of 3.6% APR representative | |||||
| John Lewis Financial Services | 3.6% | £146.60 | £5,277.60 | Yes | No |
| Representative Example: The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan at a fixed rate of 3.6% APR representative | |||||
| cahoot | 3.8% | £147.03 | £5,293.08 | Yes | Yes |
| Representative Example: The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan at a fixed rate of 3.8% APR representative | |||||
| Virgin Money | 3.9% | £147.25 | £5,301.00 | Yes | Yes |
| Representative Example: The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan at a fixed rate of 3.9% APR representative | |||||
| AA | 4.3% | £148.11 | £5,331.96 | Yes | Yes |
| Representative Example: The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan at a fixed rate of 4.3% APR representative | |||||
| Post Office Money® | 4.3% | £148.11 | £5,331.96 | Yes | Yes |
| Representative Example: The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan at a fixed rate of 4.3% APR representative | |||||
| M&S Bank | 4.4% | £148.32 | £5,339.52 | Yes | Yes |
| Representative Example: The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan at a fixed rate of 4.4% APR representative | |||||
How we choose Best Rate personal loans
All the Best Rate loan providers listed by Which? are signed up to the Lending Code, which sets the minimum standards for the way banks, building societies and other providers should treat their customers.
Our Best Rate loans are widely available across the UK, and consumers do not need to own any other financial products from an institution in order to qualify for them.
Lots of loan providers use risk-based pricing to determine what interest rates their customers get.
This means you might not end up with the same rate as the one you saw advertised, as the rate you get is based on your credit score.
If you want to know what personal loan rate you’ll get when you apply, go for a Best Rate loan that doesn’t use risk-based pricing.
If you think there’s a chance you might be able to repay your loan early, look for a Best Rate without any early repayment charges.
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