Asset Finance Made Simple for UK Businesses

Buying equipment, vehicles or specialist assets can tie up cash or slow growth. Asset finance lets your company spread the cost while keeping working capital free. Fast Business Loans does not lend money — we connect UK businesses (companies and trading entities) seeking funding of £10,000 and above with the lenders and brokers who specialise in the exact asset and sector you operate in. Our service is free, quick and no obligation: tell us what you need and we’ll match you to suitable partners who can provide tailored quotes.

How Asset Finance Works – and How We Help

What is Asset Finance?

Asset finance is a way for businesses to obtain equipment, vehicles or other capital assets without paying the full purchase price upfront. Common forms include hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases and sale & leaseback (asset refinance). Agreements differ on ownership, VAT treatment, deposits and end‑of‑term options.

Why Use a Broker‑Matching Service?

Finding the right lender can be time consuming. We save you time and increase the chance of a suitable offer by matching your request with lenders and brokers that specialise in your asset type and industry. You complete one short enquiry — we handle the matchmaking and introduce you to providers who can deliver quick, relevant quotes.

Get Your Asset Finance Quote — fast, no obligation and without an initial hard credit check. (Subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.)

Asset Types We Help You Finance

We connect businesses seeking finance for a wide range of assets. Whether you need new or used equipment, our panel includes specialists for:

• Plant & machinery — construction, manufacturing and agricultural machinery.
• Commercial vehicles & fleets — vans, HGVs, specialist transport.
• IT & technology — servers, laptops, telecoms and cloud infrastructure.
• Renewable & sustainable assets — solar, battery storage, EV chargers.
• Specialist equipment — medical devices, printing presses, catering and hospitality kit.
• Refinance / sale & leaseback — unlock cash from owned assets.

We can introduce you to lenders who fund both brand new and well‑maintained used assets (subject to age and valuation limits set by funders).

Loan Structures You Can Compare Through Us

Different structures suit different businesses and tax positions. Through our matches you’ll be able to compare:

• Hire Purchase — structured repayments with ownership transferring after final payment.
• Finance Lease — off‑balance options for some businesses; often lower initial cost but no ownership at end unless a purchase option is exercised.
• Operating Lease — shorter term rentals with no ownership, useful for rapidly depreciating tech.
• Asset Refinance / Sale & Leaseback — raise working capital from existing assets while continuing to use them.
• Balloon payments — lower monthly payments with a larger final payment option.

Repayment terms, deposits and VAT handling vary by lender and asset — matching lets you compare realistic options side by side.

What to Expect When You Submit an Enquiry

We keep the process simple and transparent. Typical steps after you submit a short enquiry:

1. Quick matching: we use the details you provide to select lenders and brokers with the best fit.
2. Rapid contact: matched partners usually contact you by phone or email to request any further information and to discuss options. Many responses come within hours during business hours.
3. Quote comparison: receive indicative or formal quotes depending on the asset and documentation provided.
4. Application & funding: if you choose to proceed, the chosen provider will complete formal checks and move to funding. Fast Business Loans does not process applications or fund deals.

We treat your information confidentially and only share it with partners relevant to your request. Completing the enquiry does not run a hard credit check — lenders may perform checks only if you proceed with an application.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check — it takes around 2 minutes. (Subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.)

Are You Eligible for Asset Finance?

Typical eligibility criteria vary by lender, but here are common requirements to help you assess fit before enquiring:

• Business type: UK limited companies, LLPs and trading partnerships. (We do not handle sole traders or specialist professions lending.)
• Minimum facility size: most partners consider requests from approximately £10,000 upwards.
• Trading history: many lenders prefer established trading history, though some funders and specialist start-up options exist.
• Asset criteria: acceptable age and condition limits apply for used equipment; certain specialist assets may require valuations.
• Credit profile: a range of credit profiles are acceptable — some lenders consider imperfect records when supported by strong cashflow or deposits.

If you’re unsure, submit the short enquiry and we’ll match you to partners who take your circumstances into account.

Why UK Businesses Choose Fast Business Loans

• Speed: one short form and we’ll start matching you immediately.
• Choice: access to lenders and brokers experienced in asset finance across sectors.
• No obligation: it’s free to enquire and compare — you decide whether to proceed.
• Sector knowledge: matched partners understand asset lifecycles, depreciation and typical use cases for your industry.
• Privacy & clarity: we only share your details with relevant partners and make clear what to expect next.

Asset Finance by Sector

Different industries need different finance approaches. Examples of how asset finance is used across sectors:

• Construction: fund excavators, compactors and plant with hire purchase or leasing.
• Manufacturing: machinery and production lines funded via finance leases or equipment loans.
• Logistics & transport: vehicle finance and fleet replacements with tailored term structures.
• Agriculture: tractors, harvesters and crop equipment; specialist lenders cover seasonal needs.
• Healthcare: treatment and diagnostic equipment finance with vendor options.
• Hospitality & retail: kitchen equipment, POS systems and fit-outs financed over manageable terms.

Quick Comparison – Asset Finance vs Other Options

• Asset Finance: secures finance against the asset; can preserve cash and spread cost; good for direct asset acquisition or refinance.
• Business loan: unsecured or secured cash that can be used more flexibly but may require personal guarantees and stronger credit.
• Invoice finance: unlocks cash tied to invoices for working capital, but not for equipment purchase.

Each option has pros and cons. Our matching service helps you compare what’s available for your exact need.

How to Maximise Approval Chances

Small steps improve outcomes:

• Prepare accurate asset details (make, model, age, price).
• Share recent management accounts or bank statements to evidence affordability.
• Explain how the asset will be used and maintained.
• Be upfront about any previous credit issues — specialist lenders may still help with the right context.

Matched brokers often guide you on documentation required to speed decisions.

Get Matched with Asset Finance Specialists — 2‑minute form, no obligation. (Subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.)

Asset Finance FAQs

How much deposit will I typically need?

Deposit requirements vary by lender and asset. Some funders offer 100% finance on new equipment, while others expect deposits (commonly 5–20%). The quote from a matched lender or broker will specify any deposit needed.

What’s the difference between hire purchase and leasing?

Hire purchase usually results in ownership after the final payment. Leasing often means you rent the asset with no ownership unless you exercise a purchase option. Tax and accounting treatment differs — speak to your accountant for bespoke advice.

Can I finance second‑hand equipment?

Yes. Many lenders fund used assets, subject to age, condition and acceptable valuation. Specialist brokers can locate funders who have flexible used‑asset criteria.

How quickly can funding be arranged?

Simple deals can be agreed in days once documents are provided; many brokers secure decisions within 24–72 hours. Complex or large transactions may take longer.

Will enquiring affect my credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not trigger a hard credit search. Matched lenders may run checks if you proceed with a formal application.

What documents will lenders ask for?

Commonly: asset quotation/invoice, recent management accounts, bank statements, ID for directors and company registration details. Exact requirements vary by lender and deal size.

Are start‑ups eligible?

Some lenders work with early‑stage businesses, though criteria can be stricter. We’ll match you to funders open to start‑up or limited trading histories where possible.

What happens at the end of the agreement?

Options depend on the product: purchase the asset, return it (for operating leases), refinance or extend the agreement. The matched provider will outline end‑of‑term choices before you sign.

Start Your Asset Finance Enquiry

Ready to explore options for equipment, vehicles or specialist assets? Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you with the best lenders and brokers for your business. It’s free, quick and no obligation.

Get Started – Free Eligibility Check — takes about 2 minutes. No hard credit check at enquiry stage. (Subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.)

Learn more about specialist funding options like equipment leasing on our asset finance resource: asset finance.

– What is asset finance and how does it work? Asset finance lets UK businesses acquire equipment, vehicles or machinery by spreading the cost via hire purchase, finance or operating leases, or sale & leaseback, helping preserve working capital.
– What asset finance options can I compare? You can compare hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases, asset refinance/sale & leaseback and balloon payment structures from specialist lenders and brokers.
– Who is eligible to apply through Fast Business Loans? We match UK limited companies, LLPs and trading partnerships seeking facilities from around £10,000, with lender criteria varying by asset, age and credit profile.
– Is Fast Business Loans a lender? No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects you with trusted asset finance lenders and brokers who provide quotes and funding.
– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? No, our quick enquiry and free eligibility check do not trigger a hard credit search, and lenders only run checks if you proceed with an application.
– How quickly can I get quotes or funding? You’ll usually hear from matched providers within hours and straightforward deals can complete in a few days once documents are supplied.
– What types of assets can I finance? We connect you to funders for plant and machinery, commercial vehicles and fleets, IT and technology, renewable energy assets, specialist equipment, and refinance of owned assets (new or used, subject to age and valuation limits).
– Do start-ups or businesses with limited trading history qualify? Some lenders do consider start-ups or shorter trading histories, often with stronger supporting information or deposits.
– Do I need a deposit, and how much? Deposit requirements vary by lender and product, with some offering up to 100% finance on new assets and others typically asking for 5–20%.
– Does it cost anything to use your service or am I obliged to proceed? The enquiry and matching service is free and there’s no obligation to proceed with any quote you receive.