What is equipment finance?

Equipment finance is a range of commercial finance products that lets businesses acquire or upgrade business assets — for example: manufacturing machines, construction plant, commercial vehicles, IT servers, medical devices, catering kit and renewable-energy equipment. Instead of paying the full purchase price up front, you spread the cost over a fixed term.

Common forms include:

• Operating lease / finance lease: pay to use the asset for a term; often maintained off-balance-sheet depending on structure.
• Hire purchase (HP): hire the asset then own it after the final payment.
• Asset refinance / refinance: release cash by re-mortgaging existing equipment.
• Short-term equipment loans: unsecured or secured finance for quick purchases.

Need a tailored quote? Get Quote Now.

Why UK SMEs choose Fast Business Loans

Searching dozens of lenders takes time. Lenders specialise by sector, equipment type and risk profile — which means the right match increases approval chances and gets better pricing. Fast Business Loans acts as an introducer: our panel of brokers and lenders understands UK business needs and can respond quickly.

What you gain

• Faster search — one short enquiry connects you to multiple specialist partners.
• Sector expertise — matches with lenders who understand your industry.
• Soft searches where possible — initial enquiries won’t harm your credit file.
• Options and comparison — HP, leasing, refinance and specialist terms.
• Support for funding from £10,000 up to multi-million facilities.

How we stay clear, fair & not misleading

We are not a lender and do not give regulated financial advice. Our service is free and there is no obligation to proceed. We clearly explain what information is shared with partners and give you control over next steps.

Free Eligibility Check

Our four-step matching process

Step 1 — Quick Enquiry

Complete a short form (under 2 minutes) with basic company details, amount required and the equipment type.

Step 2 — Intelligent Match

We match your enquiry to lenders and brokers on our panel who specialise in your sector and asset.

Step 3 — Rapid Response

Matched partners typically contact you within hours to discuss options and request documents if needed.

Step 4 — Compare & Decide

Review quotes and terms. You choose whether to progress to full applications — we do not influence that decision.

Enquiry does not affect your credit score. Ready to begin? Get Started.

Equipment finance options we can introduce

Below are typical facilities you’ll be introduced to. The right solution depends on asset type, tax treatment and your cashflow needs.

Operating & finance leases

Leases provide usage without ownership. Suitable for vehicles, IT, plant and specialist kit. Benefits include lower upfront cost and regular upgrades at term end.

Hire purchase & asset refinance

HP is simple: spread payments and take ownership at the end. Asset refinance lets you unlock cash by using owned equipment as security.

Short-term equipment loans

Quick funding when you need new kit immediately. Terms are shorter and can be secured or unsecured depending on the provider.

Specialist facilities

Seasonal terms, balloon payments, VAT funding and tailored structures for high-value or residual-value-sensitive equipment are available through specialist brokers.

Compare multiple lenders with one enquiry — Get Quote Now.

Learn more about specific asset types and tax considerations on our main equipment finance guide: equipment finance.

Who we help

We work with limited companies and small and medium enterprises across UK industries. Our panel covers both new and used equipment funding and can assist with refinancing existing assets.

Case snippet: A regional catering group replaced ovens and refrigeration via a 48-month finance lease; spread payments preserved cashflow and allowed tax-efficient upgrades — the business avoided a large capital outlay and benefitted from predictable monthly costs.

Check if your sector qualifies — Free Eligibility Check

Eligibility snapshot & required information

Eligibility considerations

• Company trading history and structure
• Annual turnover and profitability
• Existing credit profile and outstanding liabilities
• Value, age and type of asset
• Deposit or customer contribution (if any)

Information to share at enquiry

• Company name, registration number and contact details
• Approx. funding required (from £10,000+)
• Type and value of equipment
• Preferred term and any budget constraints
• Estimated timescale for delivery

You don’t need full financial accounts at enquiry stage — the form captures enough detail to match you with the right partners. Get Started.

How much could equipment finance cost?

Costs vary by lender and depend on:

• Asset type and remaining useful life
• Loan term (12–84 months common)
• Deposit or upfront contribution
• Business credit profile
• Residual or balloon payments

Indicative examples (illustrative only):

These figures are for guidance only — final rates are set by lenders after full underwriting. To get a tailored cost comparison, Get Quote Now.

Benefits & risks to consider

Benefits

• Preserve working capital and manage cashflow.
• Access to up‑to‑date technology and higher productivity.
• Potential tax benefits depending on structure and HMRC rules.
• Predictable monthly budgeting.

Risks

• The total cost of finance may exceed cash purchase.
• Assets depreciate — residual values can be uncertain.
• Some facilities require security or personal guarantees.
• Early settlement charges may apply.

If unsure which structure is best, speak to the matched broker — consider seeking independent financial or tax advice for complex arrangements. Get Started.

Alternative funding routes we can introduce

If a single facility doesn’t suit your needs, brokers can combine solutions. Alternatives include:

• Asset refinance (release working capital from owned equipment)
• Invoice finance or factoring for working capital
• Unsecured business loans for smaller equipment purchases
• Vehicle-specific finance for fleets
• Sustainability or green loans for energy-saving equipment

Explore all routes in one enquiry — Get Started.

Success snapshot

Illustrative example: A medium-sized manufacturing firm needed a new CNC machine (£120,000). We introduced a specialist broker who secured a 60‑month hire purchase with a 10% deposit. The business increased throughput, recovered the cost through higher output and retained cash for operations.

“Fast match to a specialist lender — enabled us to upgrade without draining reserves.” — illustrative

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Your equipment finance checklist

1. Confirm the exact equipment spec and supplier price.
2. Estimate how the monthly payments fit your cashflow.
3. Gather basic company info and an idea of turnover.
4. Decide on preferred term and whether you’ll pay a deposit.
5. Compare quotes and check total cost, fees and end-of-term options.

Save this list and start with a quick enquiry: Free Eligibility Check.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly can funding be approved?

After you submit an enquiry, matched brokers often respond within hours. Formal lender decisions depend on documentation, but many straightforward deals fund within days to a few weeks.

Do I need a deposit?

Some facilities require a deposit (typical 0–20%). Deposit requirements depend on lender, asset age and your credit profile.

Will making an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — submitting an enquiry with Fast Business Loans does not affect your business credit score. Lenders may carry out credit checks only if you proceed to application.

Is Fast Business Loans a lender?

No. We introduce you to lenders and brokers — we do not provide finance or regulated advice.

Can I refinance existing equipment?

Yes. Asset refinance is commonly used to free up cash secured against existing kit. We can match you with brokers who specialise in refinancing.

What if the equipment becomes obsolete early?

Consider shorter terms, maintenance agreements, or lease structures that allow upgrades. Discuss these options with matched brokers to find suitable end-of-term flexibility.

Get a personalised answer — Free Eligibility Check

Ready to secure the equipment your business needs?

Make one short, free enquiry and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and asset. There’s no obligation to proceed and enquiries don’t harm your credit record. Get tailored quotes and choose the option that fits your business.

Free Eligibility Check

Prefer to talk first? Leave your phone number on the enquiry form and a matched partner will call.

Compliance & trust

Fast Business Loans is an introducer and not a lender. We do not provide regulated financial advice. All details you provide are used to match you with suitable finance partners and are shared only with selected brokers and lenders who can help. Rates and terms are set by providers and depend on their full assessment.

Please ensure you understand affordability and consider independent professional advice where appropriate. For full details see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.