Why equipment finance matters now

Modern equipment keeps businesses competitive, efficient and compliant. For many UK companies, replacing or adding machinery, vehicles, medical devices or IT kit is essential — yet buying outright can drain cash and harm cash flow. Equipment finance lets you spread the cost, preserve working capital and scale at pace. Whether it’s a new CNC machine, catering ovens, EV vans or diagnostic scanners, the right funding lets you invest now and pay over time.

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What is equipment finance & how it works

Equipment finance is a broad term that covers ways to fund business assets. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Hire Purchase (HP) — you pay a deposit then monthly repayments; ownership transfers after the final payment.
• Finance lease — lender buys the equipment and you pay for its use over an agreed term; purchase options vary.
• Operating lease — similar to renting; lower monthly cost, no ownership at term end unless specified.
• Asset refinancing — release cash tied up in equipment you already own.
• Asset-based lending / top-ups — larger facilities secured against multiple assets for growth or working capital.

Decisions on deposit, term length, balloon payments and VAT treatment depend on the lender, asset type and your business circumstances. Here’s how Fast Business Loans helps you find the best fit.

How Fast Business Loans helps you secure equipment funding

We don’t lend. We connect you to lenders and brokers who specialise in equipment finance. Our process is fast and straightforward:

1. Complete a short enquiry with basic business and asset details (takes under 2 minutes).
2. We match you to one or more finance partners in our network who understand your sector and asset type.
3. Partners contact you to discuss options, pricing and next steps — you compare and choose.

We aim to save you time, widen your options and increase your chance of a favourable outcome by sending your enquiry only to suitable providers. To start, use our quick form: Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.

Learn more about specialist equipment finance options on our pillar resource about equipment finance.

Types of equipment we can help finance

Our lender panel considers a broad range of assets. Typical categories include:

• Manufacturing & engineering — CNC, presses, conveyors, production lines.
• Construction — excavators, diggers, plant, access equipment.
• Healthcare & medical — imaging systems, dental chairs, sterilisation units.
• Hospitality & catering — ovens, refrigeration, coffee machines, point-of-sale kit.
• Logistics & fleet — vans, HGVs, trailers, electric fleets and chargers.
• Technology & IT — servers, laptops, telecoms, specialist software hardware.

Both new and good-quality used equipment are often financeable — lenders set age and condition limits per asset.

Funding solutions available through our panel

Different solutions suit different needs. Common options:

Hire Purchase

Typical for businesses who want eventual ownership. Benefits: fixed payments, simple structure. Deposit usually 0–30% depending on lender and asset.

Finance Lease

Useful when ownership isn’t required immediately. May offer tax-efficient arrangements for some businesses.

Operating Lease

Lower monthly payments; ideal for assets that become obsolete quickly or when you prefer to upgrade regularly.

Refinance & Asset-Based Lending

Release cash from existing assets or secure a larger facility for growth. Good for consolidation or freeing up working capital.

If you’re unsure which route suits you, complete a quick enquiry and get matched to specialists who will outline suitable options: Free Eligibility Check.

Eligibility snapshot: who can apply

Fast Business Loans typically helps limited companies and growing SMEs seeking finance from around £10,000 upwards. Lenders’ exact requirements vary, but common criteria include:

• Trading entity: limited companies and established SMEs (not sole traders or professional-only lending).
• Minimum deal size: usually from £10,000 depending on provider.
• Business trading history: many lenders prefer 6–12 months trading history for standard deals; some will consider younger companies with stronger collateral or personal guarantees.
• Turnover and profitability: varies by lender and size of request.
• Credit profile: adverse credit can be considered — different lenders specialise in different risk levels.

Final eligibility, rates and terms are determined by the lender or broker you choose. Submitting an enquiry via our form does not affect your credit score.

Preparing your enquiry — documents & info checklist

Having the right information speeds up responses. Typical items lenders will ask for:

• Basic business details (company name, registration number, address, SIC code).
• Contact details for director(s) and authorised signatory.
• Estimated funding required and purpose (asset description, new or used).
• Supplier invoice or quote for the equipment (if available).
• Recent management accounts or up-to-date bookkeeping reports.
• Bank statements (usually 3–6 months) and VAT returns if applicable.
• Proof of identity for directors for AML checks when progressing.

For larger deals, a business plan, forecasts or service contracts may be needed. Save time by gathering quotes and photos of the asset before you begin your enquiry.

Understanding costs, terms & protections

Costs and terms vary by lender and asset. Key points to check:

• Interest rates — influenced by asset type, term, deposit and credit profile.
• Deposit — some deals are 0% deposit; others require part deposit.
• Balloon payments — may reduce monthly cost but increase final payment.
• VAT treatment — VAT on purchases can affect monthly repayments and tax treatment.
• Early settlement — ask about penalties or fees for repaying early.
• Security — many finance deals are secured against the asset; check consequences of default.

Fast Business Loans does not provide financial advice — matched brokers or lenders will explain exact costs and protections before you sign any agreement.

Sector spotlights & real use cases

Here are three typical examples our partners frequently finance:

Construction contractor

A regional contractor leased two new excavators via a hire purchase plan, paying a small deposit and spreading costs over 48 months. This kept working capital available for wages and materials.

Dental practice

A practice acquired a new imaging suite using a finance lease. The lender offered a tax-efficient structure and manageable monthly payments, enabling faster patient throughput.

Logistics fleet upgrade

A haulage business financed the phased replacement of vans with low-emission vehicles using operating leases to manage cashflow and plan future upgrades.

Want solutions for your sector? Get your personalised options — Free Eligibility Check.

Why UK businesses choose Fast Business Loans

• We connect you quickly to lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector.
• Simple process — one short enquiry matches you to multiple potential partners.
• No cost to you for making an enquiry and no obligation to proceed.
• We protect your data and only share it with partners who can help.
• Support for deals from £10,000 upwards, including used and specialist equipment.

Frequently asked questions

What types of equipment can be financed?

Our partners consider a wide range: manufacturing machinery, commercial vehicles, medical devices, catering kit, IT hardware and specialist tools. Availability depends on the lender and the asset’s age/condition.

How fast can finance be arranged?

After you submit an enquiry, many partners respond within hours. Straightforward deals can complete within a few business days; larger or bespoke arrangements take longer.

Do I need a deposit?

Some deals require a deposit (0–30% is common); others may offer 0% deposit depending on asset and credit. Your matched lender will confirm requirements.

Can I finance used or specialist machinery?

Yes. Many lenders finance good-quality used kit and specialist assets — age and condition limits vary, so provide clear details for the best match.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Completing our enquiry does not impact your credit file. Lenders may carry out credit checks only if you proceed with an application.

What’s the minimum amount you support?

We typically assist businesses seeking equipment finance from around £10,000 and upwards.

Does Fast Business Loans charge a fee?

No — it’s free for businesses to submit an enquiry. Any fees from a broker or lender will be explained before you enter into any contract.

Ready to take the next step?

If you need new or used equipment and want fast, expert help to find the right finance, start with a short enquiry. We’ll match you to lenders and brokers who understand your industry and asset — and they’ll be in touch with tailored options.

Get Your Free Eligibility Check & Quote — it takes less than two minutes and does not obligate you to proceed.