Vehicle Finance for UK Businesses: Compare Trusted Options Fast
Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies with brokers and lenders to explore vehicle finance from £10,000 upwards — including vans, HGVs, specialist vehicles and EV fleets. We’re an introducer: complete a short enquiry and we’ll match your business with suitable providers for a free, no-obligation eligibility check. Submitting an enquiry won’t affect your credit score.
Need new vans, trucks or an EV fleet without tying up cash? Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies compare vehicle finance options quickly. Our free service matches you with lenders and brokers who specialise in business vehicles — no obligation, no hard credit checks at enquiry stage.
- Fast matching to specialist brokers and lenders
- Options for new, used and specialist vehicles (HGVs, refrigerated vans, plant vehicles)
- Finance from around £10,000 upwards
- Enquiry takes under 2 minutes and won’t affect your credit score
How vehicle finance supports UK businesses
Vehicles are core assets for logistics, trades and service businesses. Finance lets you preserve working capital for operations and growth instead of paying large sums up front. It can also smooth seasonal demand spikes and make fleet upgrades more manageable — particularly when switching to electric vehicles.
Here’s why many companies choose finance:
- Protect cash flow — spread cost over an agreed term
- Upgrade fleets regularly without large capital outlay
- Match payments to revenue cycles (seasonal businesses)
- Access specialist packages for HGVs, conversions and refrigerated units
Vehicle finance options we can help you compare
Hire Purchase (HP)
HP lets you spread the purchase cost with ownership transferring after the final payment. Typical deposit 0–20%, terms 2–5 years. Suits businesses that want to own the vehicle at the end.
Finance Lease
Lease the vehicle for a fixed term; ownership usually stays with the lessor. Lower monthly costs compared with HP and flexibility to refinance or return at term end. Deposits and residual values vary by lender.
Operating Lease / Contract Hire
Pure rental agreement — you return the vehicle at the end. Often includes maintenance and can be efficient for keeping fleets current. Mileage and condition limits apply.
Refinancing existing vehicles
Free up capital by refinancing assets you already own. Useful to consolidate debt or improve monthly cash flow — subject to vehicle equity and lender appetite.
EV & low-emission vehicle finance
Specialist structures exist for EVs and charging infrastructure. Lenders consider potential grants and residual values; our broker partners can help structure deals that reflect green incentives.
Specialist / complex assets
HGVs, refrigerated vans, converted vehicles and plant vehicles often require tailored terms. Specialist lenders assess hours, mileage and conversion details before confirming terms.
All options are subject to lender criteria and affordability checks — we connect you to partners who can advise on which model fits your needs.
Eligibility & documentation checklist
Typical eligibility criteria (vary by lender):
- Limited companies actively trading (often a minimum trading period is requested)
- Turnover and affordability that support repayments
- Vehicle details (age, mileage, purpose)
- Credit history considered — adverse credit doesn’t always mean no
Documents to prepare:
- Recent management accounts or company accounts
- Business bank statements (3–6 months)
- Proof of company registration and director ID where required
- Vehicle specification and purchase invoice (if buying new)
- VAT status and any contract details (for fleet contracts)
How our matching process works
- Complete a short enquiry with details of your business, vehicle needs and budget (under 2 minutes).
- We match your request to lenders and brokers who specialise in your vehicle type and sector.
- A broker or lender will contact you to discuss options and request documents.
- Review indicative offers and choose the one that suits your business. Proceed only if you’re happy.
Data you provide is shared only with matched partners relevant to your enquiry and handled securely. Fast Business Loans introduces you to providers — we do not make lending decisions.
Costs, rates & terms explained
Indicative pricing depends on asset type, age, mileage, deposit and credit profile. As a guide:
- Asset-backed agreements can start from single-digit APRs for low-risk profiles; used/older assets typically attract higher rates.
- Deposit levels (0–20% common) and term length (typically 2–7 years) affect monthly payments and total cost.
- Leases often include residual values (balloons) which reduce monthly payments but leave an end-of-term balance to settle or refinance.
Example factors that affect your rate: vehicle age, mileage, sector risk, company accounts and director guarantees. All figures are indicative and subject to lender assessment.
Comparing vehicle finance vs buying outright
Pros of finance:
- Preserves capital for operations and growth
- Improves cash-flow predictability
- Easier to upgrade fleet and manage tax treatments (seek accountant advice)
Pros of buying outright:
- No ongoing finance costs or lender restrictions
- Full control and no mileage/condition penalties
Which is right depends on liquidity, tax position and growth plans — your matched broker can help you weigh trade-offs.
Sector-specific considerations
Logistics & transport
High mileage and tight uptime requirements favour fleets with maintenance packages or flexible renewal terms.
Construction & trades
Rugged specifications, specialist bodywork or plant attachments may need bespoke finance and insurer-friendly terms.
Retail & last-mile delivery
Rapidly growing e-commerce needs scalable van finance and options for multi-vehicle deals.
Green businesses
EV finance often factors in grant availability and future residual values — specialist brokers can optimise deals around incentives.
Example funding scenarios
| Vehicle type | Business profile | Potential finance approach |
|---|---|---|
| 3 x refrigerated vans | Growing catering supplier | Finance lease over 5 years with maintenance package |
| Single used HGV | Regional haulage operator | Hire purchase with 10% deposit to own at term end |
| 20 EV delivery vans | National last-mile operator | Operating lease with upgrade option and charging infrastructure financing |
These are illustrative only. Each business is assessed individually and lenders supply final terms based on documentation and checks.
Why businesses choose Fast Business Loans for vehicle finance
- Fast matching to lenders and brokers who understand vehicle and sector needs
- Clear, human support to explain options — we don’t lend, we connect
- Free and no obligation — you decide whether to proceed
- We focus on deals from around £10,000 upwards, including specialist asset types
For more detail on our vehicle finance services, see our specialist vehicle finance page.
What to expect after you apply
Timeline after your enquiry:
- Initial contact by phone or email — typically within hours in business time.
- Indicative offers from one or more brokers/lenders after a brief assessment.
- Submit documents for formal underwriting if you choose to proceed.
- Decision and completion — often within days once paperwork is complete, depending on vehicle delivery and inspections.
There are no upfront fees from Fast Business Loans; any fees or commissions will be disclosed by the lender or broker before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance used vehicles or only new?
Yes. Many lenders and brokers provide finance for used vehicles — eligibility depends on asset age, condition and mileage. Specialist providers handle older HGVs and conversions.
How quickly can vehicle finance be arranged?
After matching and document submission, many deals can be completed within a few working days. Complex or bespoke assets can take longer.
Do I need a deposit?
Deposit requirements vary. Some agreements allow low or no deposit; others require 5–20% for competitive terms. Your matched broker will advise.
Can companies with limited or adverse credit apply?
Yes — our partners include specialist brokers who assess cases with limited or adverse credit histories. Decisions depend on affordability, asset type and other factors.
What happens at the end of a hire purchase or lease?
With hire purchase you typically own the vehicle after final payment. At lease end you may return the vehicle, refinance the residual value or upgrade to a new contract.
Does submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Your initial enquiry is a soft step and does not affect credit. Lenders or brokers will explain any credit checks before they carry them out.
Ready to explore your vehicle finance options?
Complete a short enquiry now and get matched with lenders and brokers who can provide tailored quotes for vans, trucks, HGVs and fleets. It’s free, quick and no obligation.
Customer example
“We needed three refrigerated vans quickly. Within two days Fast Business Loans had put us in touch with two brokers — one arranged a finance lease with a maintenance package that suited our cash-flow. The process was straightforward and fast.” — Logistics company (anonymised)
Trust & data handling
Your enquiry details are used to match you with lenders/brokers who can help. We only share information with partners relevant to your request and we expect clear disclosures from them about fees and checks. All offers are indicative until the lender completes underwriting. Always review terms carefully and consider independent professional advice where appropriate.
– What vehicle finance options can my UK business compare through Fast Business Loans?
You can compare hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease/contract hire, vehicle refinance and specialist packages for EVs, HGVs and refrigerated vehicles via our matched brokers and lenders.
– How quickly can I be matched and get a decision on vehicle finance?
Submit the short enquiry and you’ll typically hear from a broker or lender within hours during business time, with completion often in days once documents are supplied.
– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—the enquiry is a soft, no‑impact step, and any formal credit checks only happen with your permission if you choose to proceed.
– Can I finance used vehicles and specialist assets like HGVs, refrigerated vans or EV fleets?
Yes—our partners fund new and used vans, trucks, HGVs, conversions and EV fleets, subject to asset age, mileage and lender criteria.
– What loan sizes, rates and terms are available for vehicle finance?
Deals typically start from around £10,000 with terms of 2–7 years and competitive asset‑backed rates that depend on asset age, mileage, deposit and your credit profile.
– Is Fast Business Loans a lender, and does your service cost anything?
We’re an introducer (not a lender) and our matching service is free with no obligation to proceed.
– What documents will I need to prepare for vehicle finance?
Lenders usually request recent management accounts, 3–6 months’ bank statements, company registration and director ID, VAT status, and the vehicle spec or purchase invoice.
– Do I need a deposit for vehicle finance?
Deposit requirements vary by lender and product, with options from 0–20% and structures like balloons/residuals to keep monthly payments lower.
– Can start-ups or businesses with limited or adverse credit get vehicle finance?
Many specialist partners will assess start-ups and adverse credit cases based on affordability, asset strength and supporting documentation.
– Is the enquiry form an application for finance?
No—the enquiry simply gathers information so we can match you to suitable providers for a free, no‑obligation eligibility check.
