Asset Finance: Fast Access to Equipment Funding for UK Businesses
Summary: Asset finance helps UK companies buy, lease or refinance vehicles, machinery and equipment without draining cashflow. Fast Business Loans does not lend money — we match businesses seeking funding (from £10,000+) with the most suitable brokers and lenders across hire purchase, leasing and refinance options. Complete a short enquiry for a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll connect you to partners who can provide tailored quotes quickly.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Key takeaways: How asset finance supports your growth
- Access equipment or vehicles without tying up capital — spread the cost while you use the asset.
- Options include hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease and asset refinance to release equity.
- Funding typically available from £10,000 upwards for established limited companies and growing SMEs.
- Fast Business Loans is a free introducer — we match you with lenders and brokers who can provide quotes quickly.
What is asset finance?
Asset finance is a group of funding solutions that let businesses acquire or refinance physical assets — for example, vans, HGVs, CNC machines, medical scanners or catering equipment — without paying the full cost upfront.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Typical uses:
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
- Purchase new or used assets with a deposit and monthly payments.
- Lease equipment so the monthly rental covers use and sometimes maintenance.
- Refinance existing assets to release cash tied up in machinery or vehicles.
What Fast Business Loans does: we collect a few details via a short enquiry and match your business to lenders and brokers that specialise in the asset and sector you operate in. We don’t lend and we don’t give regulated financial advice — we introduce you to providers who can offer firm quotes and guide you through applications.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
- Hire purchase: repay over time; ownership usually transfers after final payment.
- Finance lease: you use the asset; ownership usually stays with the funder.
- Operating lease / contract hire: rental-only, often with maintenance and short terms.
- Asset refinance: release value from assets you already own.
Asset finance options available through our partner network
Hire Purchase
Hire Purchase (HP) is common for machinery and vehicles. You typically pay a deposit (sometimes negotiable) then set monthly instalments over an agreed term. VAT treatment and final ownership depend on the agreement. HP is a clear pathway to ownership once the final payment is made.
Finance Lease
With a finance lease you benefit from using the asset while the funder retains the legal ownership. Monthly rentals can be lower than HP, and there may be a residual value at the end of the term. These are commonly used for specialist equipment.
Operating Lease & Contract Hire
Operating leases are effectively rentals. They are attractive for businesses that want to avoid ownership responsibilities, and many include maintenance packages and replacement options — ideal for fleets or fast-depreciating kit.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Asset Refinance
Refinancing lets you unlock cash by using existing equipment or vehicles as security. This can improve cashflow, fund expansion or reduce higher-cost borrowing.
Specialist & Seasonal Agreements
Some lenders offer tailored products for agriculture, construction, healthcare, or seasonal sectors — for example, seasonal payment profiles, deferred payments or flexible terms tied to cashflow cycles.
For more in-depth guidance on equipment-led options see our dedicated asset finance page.
Quick comparison: which option suits you?
| Feature | Hire Purchase | Finance Lease | Operating Lease | Refinance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership at end | Yes (after final payment) | No (unless purchase option) | No | Already owned |
| Upfront cost | Deposit often required | Often lower | Usually none | Valuation fees possible |
| Typical terms | 1–5 years | 2–7 years | 1–5 years | Depends on asset |
| Best for | Asset ownership | Long-term use | Short-term use/fleet | Freeing up cash |
Match me with asset finance specialists
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Eligibility & what lenders usually look for
Each lender has its own rules, but common criteria include:
- UK-registered limited companies (trading address in UK).
- Typical minimum finance values start at around £10,000 and rise from there.
- Trading history and turnover – many lenders favour at least 6–12 months trading, though some panels consider newer businesses where the asset is essential.
- Credit profile and director guarantees may be considered.
Documents usually requested:
- Recent company accounts or management accounts.
- Proof of identity for directors (ID, address).
- Asset details: make, model, age, price, VAT status.
- Bank statements and business plan for larger or start-up finance.
Note: lenders will perform their own affordability and credit checks when you apply. Our enquiry does not perform a hard search on your credit file.
How Fast Business Loans works
We make the process quick and straightforward so you can focus on running your business.
Step 1: Complete the 2-minute enquiry
Tell us what you need (asset type, value, business details). The form takes under two minutes.
Step 2: Intelligent matching
We match your request with brokers and lenders from our partner network who specialise in your sector and asset type.
Step 3: Discuss options with experts
Selected partners will contact you to discuss terms, run valuations and request any further documents.
Step 4: Choose the best deal
Compare offers and proceed with the provider that best suits your requirements. You decide — there’s no obligation to accept any quote.
- Benefits: speed, sector expertise, no hard-search on enquiry and no fee to you for matching.
Who we help and typical assets funded
We commonly support SMEs across many industries, including:
- Construction and plant hire
- Manufacturing and engineering
- Logistics, haulage and fleet operators
- Healthcare and dental practices
- Catering, hospitality and retail fit-outs
- Agriculture and farming
Typical assets:
- Vans, HGVs and whole fleets
- Machinery (CNC, presses, excavators)
- IT hardware, production lines, medical equipment
- Catering kit, shop fit-outs, renewable tech
Example scenario: “A manufacturing business funded a £75,000 CNC machine via hire purchase, spreading cost over 4 years to protect working capital.” (Illustration only — results vary.)
Costs, rates and terms – what to expect
Rates and costs vary by lender and depend on asset type, loan amount, deposit and credit profile. Typical term lengths range from 1–7 years depending on the asset.
Indicative guidance (illustrative only): lenders set their own rates and APRs — expect different deals depending on whether the asset is new/used, the finance product and any deposit provided.
There are no fees payable to Fast Business Loans by applicants. Any fees or charges will be shown by the lender or broker when they provide a quote — always review the full terms before committing.
Why UK businesses choose Fast Business Loans
- Free, fast introducer service — no cost to you for matching.
- Wide partner network covering multiple asset finance products.
- Sector-aware matching to increase the chance of a suitable quote.
- Short enquiry, quick responses — many businesses hear back within hours.
- Clear and transparent process — you decide whether to proceed.
Case study snapshot
Logistics firm overview: needed two used HGVs to expand routes. Enquiry submitted in under 2 minutes. Matched with a broker who sourced competitive hire purchase and finance lease options within 48 hours. Firm selected a 4-year HP plan, retaining the vehicles after final payment. Timeline from enquiry to funding: six weeks (illustrative).
Frequently asked questions about asset finance
- Do I need a deposit for asset finance?
- Many agreements require a deposit (often around 5–20%), though some lenders offer low or zero-deposit options depending on circumstances and asset type.
- Can start-ups apply?
- Some lenders and brokers consider early-stage companies, especially when the asset is essential to trading or supported by a credible business plan.
- Will applying affect my credit score?
- Submitting an enquiry via Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you proceed with an application.
- How quickly can funding be arranged?
- Indicative offers can arrive within 24–48 hours once providers have the needed information; completion depends on valuation, paperwork and asset delivery times.
- Can I refinance equipment I already own?
- Yes — asset refinancing can release equity from owned machinery or vehicles. Lenders assess condition and market value to determine terms.
- What happens at the end of a lease or hire purchase?
- Terms vary: with hire purchase you can usually take ownership after the final payment; with leases you may return the asset, renew the contract, or take a purchase option if available.
Ready to explore asset finance?
If you need equipment or vehicles but want to protect cashflow, asset finance could be the right route. Tell us a little about your business and what you want to fund — it takes under two minutes and there’s no obligation.
Free Eligibility Check — respond typically within hours.
Important information
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers; we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Finance is subject to status, affordability and the lender’s terms. Your assets may be at risk if payments are not maintained. Always review full terms and consider independent advice if unsure.
Please see our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions for details on data use and service terms.
– What is asset finance and how does it work?
Asset finance lets UK businesses fund or refinance equipment and vehicles by spreading costs through hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease or asset refinance rather than paying upfront.
– Who is eligible and what’s the minimum amount?
UK-registered limited companies and SMEs can typically access funding from £10,000+, with lenders assessing trading history, turnover and credit profile.
– Do I need a deposit for hire purchase or leasing?
Many agreements require a 5–20% deposit, though some partners offer low or zero-deposit options depending on the asset and your circumstances.
– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—Fast Business Loans’ Free Eligibility Check is a soft, no-obligation enquiry, and credit checks only occur later if you proceed with a lender.
– How quickly can I get equipment funding?
You can often receive indicative quotes within 24–48 hours, with completion times depending on valuation, paperwork and asset delivery.
– What assets can be financed through your partners?
Vans, HGVs, plant and machinery (e.g., CNC), medical and catering equipment, IT hardware, fit-outs and more—new or used.
– What happens at the end of hire purchase or a lease?
With hire purchase you usually own the asset after the final payment, while leases typically let you return, renew or sometimes purchase the asset.
– Can I refinance equipment I already own to release cash?
Yes—asset refinance can unlock equity in owned machinery or vehicles subject to valuation and lender criteria.
– What documents do lenders usually ask for?
Expect director ID and address, recent accounts or bank statements, and asset details such as make, model, age, price and VAT status (plus a business plan for larger or start-up requests).
– How much does asset finance cost and do you charge a fee?
Rates and terms vary by asset type, deposit and credit profile and are shown in lender/broker quotes, while Fast Business Loans is a free introducer (not a lender) and doesn’t charge you for matching.