Equipment Finance for UK Businesses: Quick Matches with Trusted Lenders

Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and growing SMEs find equipment finance from £10,000 upwards by matching you with lenders and brokers suited to your sector and needs. We are a broker‑matching service, not a lender, and we do not provide financial advice. Submit a no‑obligation enquiry (no impact on your credit score) and we’ll introduce you to providers who can offer hire purchase, leasing, asset refinance or short‑term equipment loans. Free Eligibility Check (takes under 2 minutes).

Disclosure: Fast Business Loans is a broker‑matching service, not a lender. We do not provide financial advice.

Why Equipment Finance Matters in 2025

Investing in the right equipment keeps your business competitive: newer machinery raises productivity, modern IT improves customer experience and energy‑efficient kit reduces running costs. Inflation and supply‑chain pressures mean buying outright can tie up working capital — equipment finance spreads the cost so you can invest while preserving cash.

What is Equipment Finance?

Equipment finance covers several ways to pay for business assets such as machinery, vehicles, medical or catering equipment, and IT. The main models are:

• Hire Purchase (HP): You pay a deposit (sometimes 0%), then fixed monthly payments; ownership transfers after the final payment.
• Finance Lease: Lender buys the asset and you pay to use it for an agreed term; purchase option at end varies.
• Operating Lease: Off‑balance-sheet rental for shorter terms; good for fast‑depreciating tech.
• Asset Refinance: Release cash by refinancing equipment you already own.
• Short‑term Equipment Loans: Flexible, quicker funding for urgent purchases.

How Fast Business Loans Helps You Secure Funding

We do the searching for you and match your enquiry to lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and finance type. Our simple four‑step process:

1. Complete a short enquiry form with business details and the asset/value needed (Start Your Free Eligibility Check — no obligation, no credit hit).
2. We match your details to suitable lenders and brokers in our panel.
3. Selected partners contact you directly to discuss options and request documents.
4. You compare offers, negotiate terms and choose the best fit.

Get tailored quotes — Free Eligibility Check (takes under 2 minutes). We only share details with partner lenders/brokers relevant to your enquiry; data is handled securely.

Equipment Finance Options We Can Introduce

Hire Purchase (HP)

Fixed repayments over 2–5 years (typical). At the end you own the asset.

• Best for: businesses that want ownership and fixed costs.
• Indicative terms: 2–5 year terms, deposits 0–30% depending on lender and asset.
• Advantages: simple structure; predictable budgeting.

Finance Lease

Lease provider retains ownership; you pay to use the asset for the lease term.

• Best for: higher‑value assets and businesses wanting potential tax and balance sheet flexibility.
• Indicative terms: 2–7 years; VAT treatment depends on structure.

Operating Lease

Shorter term rental, often with service and maintenance included.

• Best for: rapidly depreciating technology or where you want to upgrade frequently.
• Indicative terms: 1–4 years; typically lower monthly costs than HP.

Asset Refinance

Release cash from existing owned equipment to improve working capital or invest elsewhere.

• Best for: businesses with recent purchases or high‑value assets needing liquidity.
• Indicative terms: facility sized to asset value; flexible repayment profiles.

Short‑Term Equipment Loans

Faster, flexible funding for urgent purchases or seasonal demand.

• Best for: one‑off purchases under time pressure.
• Indicative terms: shorter terms, potentially higher cost than longer finance.

For broader asset finance queries see our equipment finance guidance.

Eligibility & Documentation Checklist

The exact criteria vary by lender. Typical expectations:

Checklist — have these ready to speed a decision: 3 months business bank statements, recent management accounts, VAT returns (if applicable), supplier/quote for the asset, company registration number and director ID.

Expected Costs, Rates & Repayment Structures

Costs depend on finance type, asset life, deposit and credit profile. Representative examples are indicative only and subject to lender assessment.

Representative APR examples are not shown here because rates change frequently and depend on lender assessment. When you request quotes via our form you’ll receive indicative rates and representative examples from partners. All figures are subject to status, approval and lender terms.

Industries We Support

We introduce businesses across many sectors to specialist lenders and brokers, including:

• Construction and trades (plant, tools, generators)
• Manufacturing and engineering (CNC machines, assembly lines)
• Healthcare and dental (diagnostic and treatment equipment)
• Hospitality and catering (kitchen kit, refrigeration)
• Retail and e‑commerce (POS systems, fulfilment equipment)
• Transport and logistics (vans, forklift trucks)
• Agriculture (tractors, harvesters)

Application Timeline: From Enquiry to Funding

Typical process times (subject to lender and asset complexity):

• Initial enquiry submitted: immediate (form takes under 2 minutes) — Start Free Eligibility Check.
• Matching & partner contact: within hours to 24 business hours.
• Offer & documentation: 24–72 hours once documents received for common transactions.
• Funding: same day to 2 weeks depending on asset delivery and checks.

Realistic Example: Upgrading Manufacturing Machinery

Scenario: Midlands engineering firm needs a £120,000 CNC lathe to boost capacity. Using hire purchase with a 10% deposit and a 5‑year term, monthly payments are predictable and the business owns the asset at term end. Fast Business Loans matched the company to two brokers specialising in manufacturing equipment; both returned competitive proposals within 48 hours. The firm chose the best offer, completed documentation electronically and had funding arranged to the supplier within 10 days, avoiding long downtime and maintaining cash reserves for materials.

Why Choose Fast Business Loans for Equipment Finance?

• Fast matching — fewer forms, quicker responses.
• Sector expertise — we connect you to partners with experience in your industry.
• No obligation — you decide whether to proceed with any offer.
• Secure handling — we only share details with relevant partners.
• For loans from £10,000 upwards — we focus on meaningful business finance.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check. Details shared only with lenders/brokers who can genuinely help your request.

FAQs About Equipment Finance

Can I finance used equipment?

Yes. Many lenders offer finance on good‑quality used equipment. Age, condition and documentation affect terms — provide clear photos and maintenance history where possible.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — submitting our enquiry form does not impact your credit score. Lenders may carry out checks later if you choose to proceed.

Do start‑ups qualify?

Some partners consider newer businesses with strong business plans, director support and credible forecasts — we’ll match you to those who specialise in younger companies.

How quickly can I get funds?

Simple deals can complete in days; complex or large asset purchases may take longer. After matching, partners will give a realistic timeline.

What is the minimum loan size?

We focus on finance of around £10,000 and above — if you need less, some specialist partners may still assist but our primary panel targets higher ticket equipment finance.

Ready to Compare Equipment Finance Options?

Save time and improve your chances of a suitable offer by letting us match you to specialist lenders and brokers. It takes under two minutes to submit the enquiry and doesn’t affect your credit score.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check — no obligation, secure and free. Details will only be shared with partners relevant to your request.

Important Information & Disclaimers

Fast Business Loans acts as an introducer and broker‑matching service; we do not lend money and we do not provide financial advice. Any finance terms, rates and products are provided directly by lenders and brokers; all offers are subject to their assessment and terms. Representative rates are indicative only and subject to status. Submitting an enquiry does not guarantee approval. We aim to work with reputable partners but we do not guarantee regulatory status of any third party. For full details see our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

– What is equipment finance and what options are available?
Equipment finance lets UK businesses spread the cost of assets like machinery, vehicles, medical/catering kit or IT via hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease, asset refinance or short‑term equipment loans.

– Are you a lender or a broker, and do you give financial advice?
We’re a broker‑matching service, not a lender, and we do not provide financial advice.

– Is the enquiry form an application or any commitment to proceed?
No — it’s a free, no‑obligation eligibility enquiry (not a loan application) used to connect you with suitable lenders/brokers.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — submitting our enquiry does not affect your credit score; credit checks may occur later only if you proceed with a lender.

– What are the minimum and maximum amounts I can finance?
Our panel focuses on £10,000+ equipment finance, with upper limits depending on the asset and lender — often into the millions for qualifying businesses.

– Can start‑ups or businesses with weaker credit qualify for equipment finance?
Yes — some partners consider start‑ups or adverse‑credit cases where there’s a solid plan, forecasts and director support or security.

– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Typically you’ll need recent business bank statements, accounts or management figures, VAT returns (if applicable), a supplier quote for the asset, your company number and director ID.

– How fast can I get approved and funded?
Partners usually respond within hours, with straightforward deals completing in a few days and more complex assets taking about 1–2 weeks.

– What are typical costs, rates and deposits for equipment finance?
Costs vary by asset, term, deposit and credit profile; hire purchase often needs a 0–30% deposit while leases use initial rentals, and you’ll receive indicative rates/APR examples once matched.

– What’s the difference between hire purchase and leasing, and who owns the asset at the end?
Hire purchase gives fixed repayments and ownership at term end, while finance/operating leases let you pay to use the asset without automatic ownership (purchase options vary by agreement).