Equipment Finance for UK Businesses: Compare Your Best Options Fast
Summary: Equipment finance helps businesses buy or lease the machinery, vehicles, IT or specialist kit they need without large upfront capital. Fast Business Loans connects UK companies seeking equipment funding (from £10,000 and up) with a panel of specialist lenders and brokers so you can compare tailored options quickly. Complete a short enquiry — it’s not an application, it’s a matchmaking step that helps us introduce you to the best providers. Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
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.
Why Fast Business Loans for Equipment Finance?
Fast Business Loans is a lead introducer that helps businesses save time and increase their chance of a suitable quote by matching you with lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and asset type. We don’t lend — we connect. Completing our short enquiry means vetted providers who can fund equipment from £10,000 upwards can review your case and get back to you with options.
- Quick: submit a short enquiry and expect responses within hours on working days.
- Sector-aware: matches consider your industry and asset type (manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, transport and more).
- No obligation: your enquiry is informational only — it’s not a finance application and won’t commit you.
- Secure: your data is shared only with selected partners who can help with your request.
What is Equipment Finance & How It Works
Equipment finance is a collective term for methods that let a business acquire assets (machinery, vehicles, IT, catering equipment, medical devices) while preserving cash. Instead of paying the full purchase price upfront, you either spread the cost over an agreed term or lease the equipment.
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 steps:
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
- Identify the asset and obtain supplier quotes.
- Choose a funding route (loan, hire purchase, lease, refinance).
- Lender or broker reviews financials and the asset.
- Agree terms, sign contracts and arrange supplier payment or drawdown.
Common Equipment Finance Products
Hire Purchase (HP)
Hire purchase splits the cost into instalments. You usually gain ownership at the end of the agreement after the final payment. Good for businesses that want ownership and predictable payments.
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Finance Lease
A finance lease covers the asset for most of its useful life; the funder owns the asset and you pay rentals. Often used for equipment with residual value considerations.
Operating Lease
Operating leases are more like rentals — lower initial cost and the provider often handles end-of-term options. Useful for fast-depreciating tech or short-term needs.
Sale-and-Leaseback / Asset Refinance
If you already own equipment, sale-and-leaseback frees up cash by selling the asset to a funder and leasing it back.
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Short-Term Bridge & Rental
Short-term solutions for urgent purchases or projects where you expect to refinance quickly.
Am I Eligible? Checklist for UK Businesses
Eligibility varies by lender. Below are common criteria our panel will consider when reviewing your enquiry:
- Legal business structure: limited companies and partnerships typically supported (not sole traders or accountancy/professional loans).
- Minimum funding size: typically from £10,000 upwards.
- Trading history: many lenders prefer 6–12 months trading, though start-ups may be considered by specialist partners.
- Credit profile: stronger profiles secure better pricing — but there are specialist lenders for more complex credit histories.
- Deposits or initial payments: some lenders request a deposit or percentage up-front.
Documents to have ready
- Recent management accounts or company accounts
- Bank statements (usually 3–6 months)
- Supplier quotes or invoices for the equipment
- Details of existing finance or security
Note: completing our enquiry will not guarantee finance and is not a credit application. It simply helps us match you with suitable providers. Check Eligibility – No Credit Impact
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.
How Our 4-Step Matching Process Works
- Quick enquiry: You provide basic details — business name, contact, funding amount and equipment required.
- Smart match: We review your information and match you with brokers/lenders who specialise in your asset and sector.
- Provider outreach: Selected partners contact you to request documentation or provide indicative quotes.
- Compare & decide: You compare offers and choose the provider that best suits your needs. Fast Business Loans does not charge you — introductions are free and there’s no obligation.
Turnaround: many matches and initial responses arrive within hours during business days; full decisions depend on lender checks and documentation.
Equipment Finance Options Explained — Pros & Cons
| Product | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hire Purchase | Businesses wanting ownership | Ownership at end; fixed payments | Asset on balance sheet; often larger repayments |
| Finance Lease | High-value or long-life assets | Spread cost; finance provider manages asset ownership | No ownership until/if you exercise option |
| Operating Lease | Short-term or fast changing tech | Off-balance, lower initial cost | No ownership; long-term cost may be higher |
| Sale & Leaseback | Need immediate cash from owned assets | Unlocks capital while retaining use | Ongoing lease commitment |
If you’d like help choosing the right route, our partners can provide personalised illustrations. Talk to an Equipment Finance Specialist
For broader asset finance topics see our pillar on equipment finance.
Real-World Scenarios We Support
Engineering firm upgrading CNC machines
Challenge: replace ageing kit without halting production. Solution: hire purchase with a staggered delivery schedule so payments align with increased output. Result: immediate productivity gains while preserving working capital.
Restaurant group refreshing kitchens across sites
Challenge: simultaneous fit-outs across three locations. Solution: operating leases for kitchen equipment combined with short-term working capital to smooth cashflow. Result: standardised kit, predictable monthly costs, minimal upfront capital.
Medical clinic acquiring diagnostic equipment
Challenge: costly, specialist asset with service contracts. Solution: finance lease including maintenance, preserving cash and ensuring regulatory compliance. Result: new services available to patients quickly with manageable monthly payments.
Costs, Rates & Terms — What to Expect
Pricing depends on several factors:
- Asset type and age (new vs used)
- Term length and structure (short-term vs long-term, balloon payments)
- Deposit or initial payment
- Borrower credit profile and sector risk
- Residual value assumptions for leases
Typical term ranges: 12 months up to 7–10 years for long-life plant and vehicles. Fixed or variable payment structures are available; your chosen broker will run personalised illustrations. All figures provided during the matching process are indicative — final terms are set by the lending partner.
5 Ways to Strengthen Your Application
- Gather clear supplier quotes showing VAT treatment and delivery dates.
- Have up-to-date management accounts and recent bank statements ready.
- Outline contracts or forward orders that support revenue projections.
- Consider a sensible deposit to improve pricing and terms.
- Be transparent about any previous finance — lenders value clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can start-ups get equipment finance through Fast Business Loans?
Yes. Many of our broker partners work with early-stage companies. Start-ups are usually considered where there is a robust business plan, clear asset justification and supporting financial projections. Each lender has different criteria — matching you with the right partner improves your chance of a suitable offer.
Does my enquiry affect the business credit score?
No. Submitting the enquiry form on our site does not trigger a credit search. Lenders or brokers may perform credit checks only if you choose to proceed with a specific offer; they will inform you before any credit search is made.
What’s the minimum equipment value lenders will consider?
While many partners work from around £10,000 upwards, some specialist lenders consider lower-value or bundled asset packages. Tell us your required amount and asset details so we can match you to the most suitable providers.
How quickly can funds be released?
Timescales vary. For standard finance with complete documentation, supplier payments can often be arranged within a few working days after approval. More complex or bespoke funding may take longer. Our partners aim to move quickly once matched.
Are seasonal or flexible payment plans available?
Yes — some lenders offer seasonal, stepped or balloon payment structures to suit cashflow patterns. These options depend on the lender and your sector; your matched broker can negotiate terms that suit your business cycle.
Do you charge businesses a fee for the introduction?
No — Fast Business Loans is free for businesses to use. We are paid by our partner brokers/lenders for introductions where applicable. There’s no obligation to proceed after you receive quotes.
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Start Your Equipment Finance Enquiry
Ready to compare quotes? Submit a short enquiry and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who specialise in funding equipment purchases from £10,000 and up. Remember — this is an information step, not a formal application.
- Secure: we only share your details with partners relevant to your request.
- No obligation: you decide whether to proceed with any quote.
- Fast response: most matches generate provider contact within hours on business days.
By submitting, you agree we may share your details with selected finance partners to obtain quotes. Completing the form does not guarantee funding or represent a formal offer.
About Fast Business Loans
Fast Business Loans connects UK businesses with lenders and brokers across sectors. We simplify the search for equipment finance by matching your needs to specialist providers so you can compare options quickly and make an informed choice. Our service is free to businesses and designed to be fast, transparent and helpful.
– What is equipment finance and how does it work?
It lets UK businesses acquire machinery, vehicles, IT or specialist kit by spreading costs via hire purchase, leasing or refinance instead of paying upfront.
– Is the Fast Business Loans enquiry a credit application or will it affect my credit score?
No — it’s an information-only matchmaking step that doesn’t trigger a credit search, and checks happen only if you choose to proceed with a provider.
– What types of equipment and values can be financed?
New or used machinery, vehicles, IT, catering and medical equipment from around £10,000 upwards, subject to lender criteria.
– Which equipment finance products can I compare?
Hire Purchase, Finance Lease, Operating Lease, Sale-and-Leaseback/Asset Refinance, and short-term bridge or rental options.
– Who is eligible for equipment finance through Fast Business Loans?
Typically UK limited companies and partnerships (not sole traders), with start-ups considered by specialist partners from roughly £10,000+.
– How fast can I get matched and have my supplier paid?
You’ll usually hear from matched brokers/lenders within hours on business days, and with complete documents supplier payment can follow in a few working days after approval.
– What documents will I need to share?
Supplier quotes, recent management accounts, 3–6 months’ bank statements, and details of any existing finance or security.
– Do you charge a fee, and are your partners regulated?
The service is free and no‑obligation for businesses, and we connect you only with trusted UK brokers/lenders who follow FCA guidelines.
– Can I finance used equipment or unlock cash from assets I already own?
Yes — many partners fund used kit and offer sale‑and‑leaseback to release working capital while you keep using the asset.
– Can payments be tailored to my cash flow?
Yes — lenders may offer seasonal, stepped or balloon structures and may request a deposit, with terms tailored to your sector and asset.