Your personal loan rates checklist should include the APR, monthly repayment, total amount repayable and loan term, rather than focusing only on the advertised interest rate. Check whether the rate is fixed, whether there are arrangement or late-payment fees, and how early repayment could affect the cost. Look at the lender’s eligibility criteria and use a soft-search quote where available, so you can compare likely offers without unnecessarily affecting your credit file. Compare several options, read the full agreement, and check that the provider is FCA-authorised before applying.