Bad credit motorbike finance

  • Bad credit motorbike loans of £2,000 - £15,000
  • Apply without affecting your credit score
  • Recommended by 98% of customers
  • Award winning service
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Representative 30.9% APR

Bad credit motorbike finance

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What is bad credit motorbike finance?

What is bad credit motorbike finance?

We've specialised in bad credit motorcycle financing for over 20 years. We're here to help you if you have a thin credit file or bad credit history, or if you've struggled for approval from other lenders. 

If any of that sounds familiar, our bad credit motorbike loans could be the solution you're looking for. They're designed for people who may have faced financial setbacks or struggled with managing their credit in the past. We want to offer you a realistic route to loan that will help you pay for the bike you need - and it's something we have plenty of experience in, having provided auto finance to more than 200,000 people. 

How does a bad credit motorbike loan work?

How does a bad credit motorbike loan work?

All of our loans are on a Hire Purchase agreement. Here's a simple guide to the way it works:

  1. You pay a deposit on the bike you want and we lend you the rest. 
  2. Through weekly or monthly instalments, you repay the loan. This is done over a pre-agreed fixed period, usually between 18 and 61 months. 
  3. You are charged interest on your repayments so, at the end of the agreement, you'll have paid back more than you initially borrowed. 
  4. Once your loan is repaid in full, the bike is yours. 

Just so you know... depending on the cost of your bike and your credit limit, you may not have to make a down payment. 

We've partnered with Experian

We've partnered with Experian

We use Experian, one of the UK's top credit reference agencies, to run our credit checks. This helps us to understand your credit history, which is one of several factors we take into consideration when making a decision on your approval for vehicle finance.

Reasons for bad credit

You might have bad credit because...

  • You've never taken out a substantial loan or credit agreement, or have always paid in cash, meaning you have little or no credit history;
  • You've shared credit or finance agreements with another person who has/had credit issues, and now your credit file is associated with theirs;
  • You've made bad financial decisions in the past, i.e. took out large credit agreements with large repayments that you couldn't afford or pay on time;
  • You've previously been declined by other finance lenders - this is common amongst self-employed applicants because it can be more difficult to prove your income;
  • You have a build-up of missed payments across different accounts which may have led to defaults or CCJs - these can remain on your credit file for up to six years.
Bad credit myths
Will applying for finance affect my credit score?

Will applying for finance affect my credit score?

Let's hear from an expert on this one. Craig is our Head of Underwriting; here's what he has to say: 

"Applying for motorbike finance can affect your credit score, but the impact depends on how and where you apply. We'll run a soft credit check when you first apply, which shouldn't make any difference to your file. If you go ahead with your application, our hard check may leave a footprint. 

"However, it's key to remember that responsible borrowing - for example, making repayments on time - can actually help build your credit score. We take a fair and flexible approach, focusing on what's affordable for you rather than just your credit history." 

How to apply for motorbike finance with bad credit

It's as simple as one, two, three!

Fill out our online quote form to get an instant decision on your eligibility and see how much your monthly repayments would be.

Our application criteria

We'll do everything we can to help you find a bad credit motorbike loan that works for you. To help you figure out if you'll be eligible, check out our fixed and flexible criteria. 

Fixed Criteria

  • Aged 21+
  • UK resident
  • Motorbike must be road legal
  • Driving licence capacity of 125cc motorbike

Flexible Criteria

  • 18 - 61 month terms
  • No deposit required
  • £2,000 - £15,000 lend
  • CBT licences considered
  • Age of the bike

Whilst our criteria helps us to lend responsibly, we're flexible on things such as the age of the motorbike and the term of the agreement. For example, you can choose to pay your motorbike finance agreement over a long period of time, i.e. 48 months, or make larger instalments and pay your finance agreement off in as little as 18 months.

Explore your payment options
We're FCA authorised

We're FCA authorised

We’re authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

We're committed to treating customers fairly and giving clear, honest information so you can trust us to put your best interests first every step of the way!

How much does bad credit motorcycle finance cost?

The exact answer will depend on the value of your bike, the size of your deposit, and the length of your loan term. To get an idea of the overall cost, use our motorbike finance calculator. It's free and has no impact on your credit score, and there's no obligation to apply. 

Apply for bike finance with bad credit

Let us help you get out and explore the open road! Get a quote for finance options tailored to poor credit.

Accessible financing

Our bad credit motorbike loans are designed to be a realistic option for a wider range of customers. We understand the unique challenges you face if you have bad credit and we're here to offer solutions that suit you. 

Ownership

A Hire Purchase agreement means that, once your loan is paid off, you own the bike. That counts as a financial asset in your name, one that could help you with down payments on future purchases. 

Chance to improve your credit

If you're approved for motorbike finance with bad credit, you can actively work towards improving your score. Paying your loan instalments in full and on time shows to credit agencies and other lenders that you can borrow responsibly. 

Rebuilding financial confidence

Being approved can instil confidence, especially if you've faced financial setbacks in the past. It helps you to feel empowered and this renewed confidence can positively impact other aspects of your financial life. 

Flexible terms and conditions

These may include lower deposit requirements, extended loan terms and manageable interest rates. Our aim is to provide customers with greater financial flexibility, and a bad credit motorbike loan can do that. 

Why choose First Response Finance for motorbike finance on bad credit?

Why choose First Response Finance for motorbike finance on bad credit?

Ours is a personalised approach, always tailored to your unique situation. It works for us and, more importantly, it works for our customers. Here's why you can rely on us: 

How our motor finance has helped others

How we helped Adrian get on the road
Customer stories

Rosie | Mar 2022

How we helped Adrian get on the road

How we helped Della get on the road
Customer stories

Rosie | Jun 2022

How we helped Della get on the road

How we helped Blake get on the road
Customer stories

Rosie | May 2022

How we helped Blake get on the road

How we helped Darren get on the road
Customer stories

Rosie | Jan 2024

How we helped Darren get on the road

The pros and cons of Hire Purchase

Unsure if a Hire Purchase agreement would be suitable for you? We've laid out all the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide.

  • Fixed interest rate
  • Simple to arrange
  • No deposit required
  • Flexible terms (18 - 61 months)
  • No annual mileage restrictions
  • Fixed monthly (or weekly) repayments
  • You own the motorbike once the final payment's been made
  • Customers are protected under the Consumer Rights Act (2015)
  • Finance is subject to status
  • You don't own the motorbike until the final payment's been made
  • Due to interest, you'll pay back more than you borrowed
  • The motorbike's at risk of repossession if you don't keep up with repayments
  • Not suitable if you plan on paying off your finance agreement within six months
We're SAF Approved

We're SAF Approved

We're SAF Approved by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), which means that all of our customer-facing employees have passed the Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) Expert test. This ensures our team members have all the relevant knowledge to advise you on available finance products and help find the right one for you!

We're here to help you understand motorbikes, finance, and bad credit

Understanding your credit file
Credit and financial advice

Rosie | Nov 2025

Understanding your credit file

Bad credit scores: separating fact from fiction
Credit and financial adviceBad credit

Jonathan | Mar 2025

Bad credit scores: separating fact from fiction

Bad credit motorbike finance FAQs

Apply for bad credit motorcycle finance today

Worried about your credit score or been declined in the past? We may be able to help you, so get started and fill out our quote form today! It's quick, easy and has no impact on your credit rating.

This page was last reviewed in March 2025. 

First Response Finance is a responsible vehicle finance lender, and all decisions are made in the best interests of the customer; based on credit scores, status, and income at the time of application. We'll never approve an application if we believe you might struggle with repayments.

Get independent advice on money, finance products, debt management and budgeting through Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper.