How to choose the right loan repayment term
Shorter vs longer terms, the true cost difference over time, how to match the term to your cashflow, and when early repayment makes sense.
5 min read →An 18-month personal loan gives you longer to repay without the commitment of a multi-year contract. Cash Train fixes your cost on day one — same amount every month, no rate changes, no hidden fees, and the contractual right to repay early whenever you are ready.
Apply now →Unregulated lender • Apply online — decision in minutes • Subject to status and affordability
Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk
Eighteen months hits a practical sweet spot: the repayments are meaningfully lower than a 6- or 12-month term, but you clear the debt well inside two years. It suits mid-size costs that are too large to absorb in one go but not so large that a longer unsecured loan is appropriate.
A longer term means a lower monthly repayment but more total interest paid. Before you borrow, weigh these points carefully.
The table below shows illustrative monthly and total repayments across Cash Train’s three indicative rate tiers for a range of loan amounts over 18 months. All figures are illustrative only — your actual rate depends on your credit profile and affordability assessment, and will be confirmed at the point of application.
| Loan amount | Quick 149.9% APR |
Flex 49.9% APR |
Plus 39.9% APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly / Total | Monthly / Total | Monthly / Total | |
| £500 | £53.10 / £955.74 | £37.69 / £678.45 | £35.86 / £645.42 |
| £1,000 | £106.19 / £1,911.49 | £75.38 / £1,356.89 | £71.71 / £1,290.84 |
| £1,500 | £159.29 / £2,867.23 | £113.07 / £2,035.34 | £107.57 / £1,936.26 |
| £2,000 | £212.39 / £3,822.97 | £150.77 / £2,713.79 | £143.43 / £2,581.68 |
| £2,500 | £265.48 / £4,778.72 | £188.46 / £3,392.23 | £179.28 / £3,227.10 |
| £3,000 | £318.58 / £5,734.46 | £226.15 / £4,070.68 | £215.14 / £3,872.52 |
| £5,000 | £530.97 / £9,557.43 | £376.91 / £6,784.47 | £358.57 / £6,454.21 |
Illustrative only. Figures assume fixed-rate, equal monthly repayments over 18 months at the indicative APR shown. Quick = 149.9% representative APR; Flex = 49.9% representative APR; Plus = 39.9% representative APR. Representative APR means 51% or more of approved customers receive this rate or better. Your actual rate depends on your individual circumstances and will be confirmed at application. Subject to status and affordability. Representative rates only — shown for illustration. Actual rates and terms confirmed at the point of application, subject to status and individual affordability assessment.
Want to try other amounts or terms? Use our loan calculator.
Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk
Apply online now and get a fast decision — fixed monthly cost, no rollovers, no hidden fees, decision in minutes. All rates are indicative and subject to status and affordability.
Apply now →Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk
Representative APRs from 39.9% to 149.9% representative. Subject to status and affordability. 18+ UK residents only. Cash Train is a trading name of CM Beyer Limited — Unregulated lender.
Browse all loan terms at cashtrain.co.uk/loans/ • Try our loan calculator to compare terms side by side.