Adverse credit isn't an automatic no. Specialist lenders price for it and look at the deal as a whole: you, the business you're buying and the structure.
What lenders weigh up
- What happened, when, and why, and what's changed since.
- The strength of the target: steady, provable profits carry a lot of weight.
- Your sector experience and your contribution to the deal.
- The structure, including any vendor finance or security.
What to expect
Some lenders won't consider adverse credit at all, others will at a higher price. The same case can get different answers across lenders, which is why we route it carefully.
Personal guarantees
Acquisition lenders usually ask for a personal guarantee, so your personal credit history matters more than it would on some business borrowing. See Will I have to give a personal guarantee to buy a business?.
Be upfront
Tell us about any CCJs, defaults or arrangements at the start, and we'll tell you honestly how it's likely to affect your options.
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026