Best buy tables have improved in recent years, as they do now provide more information that they used to.

In the past, best buy tables would list little more than a rate, the lender's name and a phone number. Today, many tables claim to list products by best overall value, rather than headline rate alone. Most do at least tell you what early repayment charges apply should you wish to remortgage. That said, few come with an explanation as to what early repayment charges even are, so the uninitiated are still really no better informed.

However the main problem with best buy mortgage tables is that identifying the best deal for any individual borrower is not a straightforward undertaking. Cheapest does not always mean best, and there are many variables that will determine which product is suitable for which borrower. These tables may be a reasonable starting point and provide a summary of the offers available, but there are many subtleties they simply cannot accommodate.

The sensible approach is to take a look at the best buy table then contact an independent advisor for no obligation advice as to which lender offers the best mortgage rates for your circumstances.