18-month term

18 Month Loan —
Fixed Cost, No Surprises

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.

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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

Best-fit uses

What is an 18-month loan good for?

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.

Home improvement
£1,000–£3,000
A new bathroom suite, garden landscaping, or a full repaint and re-floor of several rooms often lands in the £1,500–£3,000 range. Spreading over 18 months keeps the monthly hit manageable.
Major car repair or purchase
£500–£3,000
Engine work, a replacement gearbox, or buying a reliable second car outright often sits in this range. Keeping or replacing your vehicle is frequently more economical than the alternative.
Debt consolidation
£1,000–£5,000
Rolling several high-interest debts — store cards, overdrafts, or short-term loans — into one fixed 18-month repayment can simplify your finances and reduce your total monthly outgoing.
Dental or medical treatment
£500–£2,500
Cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, laser eye surgery, or a private surgical procedure can cost thousands. Spreading repayment over 18 months makes treatment accessible without a lump-sum upfront.
Furniture or appliances
£750–£2,500
A replacement sofa, fridge-freezer, washing machine, or complete bedroom suite often costs £800–£2,000. Borrowing at a known fixed rate beats an expensive store finance plan with unclear terms.
Course fees or professional training
£500–£3,000
Upskilling or retraining — HGV licence, trade apprenticeship fees, ACCA exams, or a coding bootcamp — can cost £1,000–£3,000. Paying upfront versus instalments often gives a meaningful discount.
Honest assessment

Is an 18-month loan right for you?

A longer term means a lower monthly repayment but more total interest paid. Before you borrow, weigh these points carefully.

When 18 months makes sense

  • Your budget is tight — a shorter term would stretch your monthly cash flow uncomfortably
  • The cost is mid-range (roughly £1,000–£3,500) and genuinely needs spreading
  • You have a stable, predictable income for the full 18-month period
  • You want a single fixed payment with no rate-change risk
  • You may want to repay early once your finances improve — no penalty applies

When to think carefully

  • You could comfortably afford a shorter 12-month term — total interest would be lower
  • Your income may change (contract ending, planned career break)
  • The expense is discretionary and could be deferred while you save
  • You already hold other credit commitments that are near your affordability ceiling
Affordability check: add up your essential monthly outgoings (rent or mortgage, utilities, food, existing credit payments) and subtract the total from your take-home pay. Whatever remains should comfortably cover your Cash Train repayment with money to spare. If it does not, a shorter loan of a smaller amount, or deferring the cost entirely, is likely wiser. Free, impartial guidance is available at moneyhelper.org.uk.
Indicative figures

Indicative repayment examples — 18 months

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.

What you get

Cash Train 18-month loan features

  • Fixed total cost from day one — the interest is calculated at the start; your monthly payment never changes regardless of market rate movements.
  • No rollover or extension fees — we do not offer rollovers or extensions. Your loan runs for 18 months and that is it — no hidden route to a larger debt.
  • Early repayment right — you can repay in full or make overpayments at any time. As an unregulated lender this is a contractual right, not a statutory CCA right. You only pay interest for the days you borrow. No penalty charge applies.
  • Same-day funding — once your application is approved and your agreement is signed, funds are sent via Faster Payments. Most customers receive their money within minutes.
  • No upfront or arrangement fee — the cost of borrowing is entirely captured in the APR. You will never be asked to pay a fee before you receive your loan.
  • Transparent terms (Unregulated lender) — Cash Train is operated by Credicorp Limited. Cash Train is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. All loan terms are set out clearly before you sign.

Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk

Eligibility snapshot

Am I eligible?

  • Aged 18 or over
  • UK resident with a UK bank account
  • Regular income (employed, self-employed, or qualifying benefits)
  • Able to comfortably afford 18 monthly repayments after all essential outgoings
  • No current Debt Relief Order, IVA, or undischarged bankruptcy
We carry out a full affordability and credit check before issuing any loan. Approval is never guaranteed — if an 18-month loan is not right for you, we will tell you clearly and suggest alternatives. For free, impartial debt advice visit moneyhelper.org.uk.
Unregulated lender: Cash Train is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We operate as an unregulated lender and set our own responsible lending standards. All loan costs are shown clearly before you commit.

Apply online in an 18-month loan

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.

Common questions

18-month loan FAQs

Spreading the same amount over 18 months rather than 12 reduces each monthly payment, typically by 25–35%. However, because interest accumulates over more months, the total cost of credit is higher. If your budget allows you to manage a 12-month repayment comfortably, that is likely the cheaper option overall. The 18-month term is the right choice when the shorter repayment would genuinely stretch your monthly budget.

Yes. You can repay your loan early at any time with no penalty. As an unregulated lender this is a contractual right, not a statutory CCA right. You pay interest only for the days you have actually borrowed — any future interest is waived. There is no early repayment charge or administration fee. You can also make ad hoc overpayments to reduce your balance and the total interest you pay.

Applying for any credit involves a credit search that is recorded on your file. If your application is approved and you manage your repayments consistently, a well-run credit account can improve your score over time. Missed or late payments will have the opposite effect and will be reported to credit reference agencies. We recommend checking your credit file at Experian or Equifax before applying.

Contact us before you miss a payment if you are experiencing difficulty — we would far rather arrange a temporary solution than let arrears build up. If you do fall behind, default charges may apply and the missed payment will be reported to credit reference agencies, which can affect future borrowing. Free, confidential debt advice is available at MoneyHelper and StepChange at no cost to you.
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