End-of-Term Options: Finance Lease vs Business Contract Hire

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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

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With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.

Step 3

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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.

Vehicle Finance for UK Businesses

Summary: Need funding for vans, HGVs, refrigerated trucks or an electric fleet? Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies with specialist lenders and brokers to compare vehicle finance options from hire purchase to leasing and fleet finance. Our matching service is free, non-binding and designed for finance of £10,000 and above — complete a Free Eligibility Check to get matched to the best provider quickly.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer — we do not lend. We connect your limited company to lenders and brokers who specialise in commercial vehicle funding. Matching is free and without obligation. Subject to status and lender assessment.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

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.


What is business vehicle finance?

Business vehicle finance provides the funding you need to buy, lease or upgrade vehicles used in your company’s operations. It covers light commercial vans, panel vans, refrigerated units, rigid trucks, articulated lorries, minibuses, coaches and specialist vehicles such as horse boxes or mobile plant on wheels. It also includes finance for electric vehicles (EVs) and whole-fleet upgrades.

Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote

Typical assets you can fund

  • Vans and small commercial vehicles
  • Rigid trucks and tippers
  • Articulated HGVs and trailers
  • Refrigerated and insulated vehicles
  • Minibuses, coaches and community transport vehicles
  • Specialist vehicles and conversions
  • Electric vans and fleet electrification

Common finance structures

  • Hire Purchase (HP) — own the vehicle after the final payment.
  • Finance Lease — long-term use with residual obligations.
  • Operating Lease / Contract Hire — off-balance-sheet usage, often including maintenance.
  • Fleet Funding — tailored for multiple vehicles and scale.
  • Refinance / Refinance packages — release equity from existing vehicles to improve cash flow.

Why vehicle finance matters for UK businesses today

Reliable vehicles are core to delivery, services and operations. Rising costs, tighter budgets and the need to transition to low-emission vehicles mean many businesses prefer finance to outright purchase. Finance preserves working capital, lets you spread costs, and supports planned fleet upgrades — including EV adoption to comply with urban emission zones.

Rather than searching dozens of lenders, Fast Business Loans connects you to partners who understand your sector and can speed up a suitable offer.

Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote

How Fast Business Loans matches you with vehicle finance providers

We act as a bridge between your company and a panel of UK lenders and specialist brokers. Our process is designed to be quick, transparent and free to use.

Our simple 4-step matching process

  1. Complete a short enquiry (under 2 minutes).
  2. We match your request to lenders/brokers that specialise in your vehicle type and sector.
  3. Selected partners contact you with tailored options and next steps.
  4. You review, compare and choose — there’s no obligation to proceed.

Note: Your enquiry is information-only — not an application. Initial matching typically uses soft checks to preserve your credit profile; lenders may perform formal credit checks if you proceed. Subject to status and lender assessment.

Ready to compare options? Get a Free Eligibility Check — it takes under two minutes.

Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote

Vehicle finance options explained

Hire Purchase (HP)

HP spreads the purchase price over fixed payments. You usually pay a deposit, then monthly repayments; ownership transfers once the balance is paid.

  • Good if you want to own the vehicle.
  • Often appears on the balance sheet.

Finance Lease

Leases allow you to use the vehicle for an agreed term; at the end there may be options to extend, return or purchase. Residual values can affect monthly costs.

Operating Lease / Contract Hire

Popular for fleets: you hire vehicles for a fixed period and return them at term end. Contracts can include maintenance and replacement, but mileage and condition caps apply.

Fleet funding & multi-vehicle solutions

Specialist arrangements for multiple vehicles can deliver savings, centralised management and tailored repayment profiles to match operational needs.

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.

Which option suits you depends on ownership preference, accounting impact and cashflow. Fast Business Loans helps you identify providers aligned to your chosen structure.

For tailored guidance on commercial vehicle funding and fleet programmes see our wider resources on vehicle finance.

Eligibility & documentation checklist

Lenders vary, but common criteria include company trading history, annual turnover, and directors’ credit history. Most partners handle loans and leases from around £10,000 upwards.

Documents commonly requested

  • Company registration details and VAT number (if applicable)
  • Recent management accounts or accounts for the latest year
  • Bank statements (typically 3–6 months)
  • Proof of vehicle quotations or supplier invoice
  • Fleet list for multi-vehicle applications

Even if you’ve had previous refusals, our panel breadth increases the chance of finding a suitable match. Provide accurate details to speed up matching.

Costs, rates and budgeting

Vehicle finance pricing depends on the product, vehicle type, age/value, term and your business profile. Expect different structures of interest, fees and possible balloon payments.

Things that influence pricing

  • New vs used vehicle and mileage
  • Loan term and deposit size
  • Company credit history and sector risk
  • Whether maintenance or insurance is bundled

Use cashflow modelling to align repayments with income cycles. A matched broker can present comparable options so you can pick the best overall value — not just the lowest headline rate. Rates and terms are set by lenders and are subject to status.

Vehicle finance solutions by sector

Different sectors have different fleet needs. We match you with lenders who understand those specifics.

Logistics & delivery

  • Short lead times for peak season scaling
  • Options for refrigerated units and tail-lift conversions

Construction & trades

  • Robust vehicle finance for tippers, flatbeds and work vans
  • Tailored terms for businesses with variable cashflow

Care, community & transport

  • Funding for accessible minibuses, adaptations and maintenance packages

Retail, hospitality & food

  • Refrigerated vans, multi-drop delivery vehicles and quick replacement options

Spotlight: A regional courier fleet upgraded eight vans using a mixed-hire plan bundled with maintenance — matched via our service and in operation within six weeks.

Your vehicle finance journey with Fast Business Loans

  1. Submit a short enquiry — takes under two minutes.
  2. We match you to specialist partners and request additional documents if needed.
  3. Lenders/brokers contact you with tailored options and indicative terms.
  4. You choose a provider and proceed to full application and formal lender checks.

Typical timelines: initial responses often come within hours during business days; formal approvals depend on lender processes and document completion.

Ready to compare vehicle finance options? Start your Free Eligibility Check — it’s quick and non-binding.

Quick checklist before you enquire

  • Confirm the vehicle type, model and whether new or used.
  • Decide whether ownership or contract hire suits your accounting preference.
  • Prepare recent accounts and bank statements.
  • Determine an affordable deposit and repayment term.
  • Consider EV grants, tax implications and maintenance needs.

For tax or accounting advice, consult your accountant — we do not provide financial advice.

Vehicle finance FAQs

Can I finance multiple vehicles or a whole fleet?

Yes. Many lenders and brokers specialise in fleet programmes and can structure multi-vehicle funding tailored to growth plans.

Do you help companies with limited trading history?

We match to partners who may consider limited trading history depending on circumstances. Lending criteria vary by provider.

What happens at the end of a hire purchase agreement?

Once final payment is made you typically own the vehicle. Some agreements include purchase options or transfer of title documentation.

Will my credit score be affected by enquiring?

Your initial enquiry and matching are free and do not typically impact credit scores. Lenders may carry out formal checks if you decide to proceed.

Can I finance electric or specialist vehicles?

Yes. Specialists in EV and specialist vehicle finance are included in our panel — they can advise on grants, charging infrastructure and lifecycle costs.

Are maintenance and insurance included?

Some contract hire packages include maintenance and replacement; terms vary. Insurance can sometimes be arranged by brokers but is often handled separately.

How quickly can approvals be obtained?

Initial responses are usually quick; formal approvals depend on lender checks and documentation. Many straightforward cases complete in a few days to a few weeks.

Our commitment to transparency

Fast Business Loans is an introducer — we do not lend and we do not provide regulated financial advice. We connect your business with lenders and brokers who may contact you directly with offers. Finance decisions are subject to status and lender assessment. Our matching service is free and without obligation. We handle your data securely and only share details with selected partners relevant to your enquiry.

Ready to explore vehicle finance options?

If your company needs one vehicle or a full fleet and you’re seeking options from £10,000 upwards, we can help you find lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and vehicle type.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Remember: the enquiry form is informational only — it is not a loan application. Fast Business Loans will use your details to match you to the most appropriate lenders/brokers, who may then contact you with quotes. All finance is subject to status and lender terms.


Questions? Contact us through the enquiry link above and a specialist will reply promptly. For regulatory guidance and consumer-facing rules, lenders follow relevant UK standards. Fast Business Loans does not provide regulated financial advice.

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

– What types of business vehicle finance can I get in the UK? Options include hire purchase (HP), finance lease, operating lease/contract hire, fleet funding and vehicle refinance, covering commercial vehicle loans and van finance for business.
– Can I finance multiple vehicles or a whole fleet, including EVs and specialist vehicles? Yes — we match UK limited companies with fleet finance providers for vans, trucks, HGVs, refrigerated units, minibuses, specialist conversions and electric vehicles (fleet finance UK).
– Who is eligible and what’s the minimum finance amount? UK limited companies seeking £10,000+ can enquire, with options for varying trading histories subject to lender assessment.
– Will submitting a Free Eligibility Check affect my credit score? No — the enquiry is information-only and typically uses soft checks, with formal credit searches only if you decide to proceed with a lender.
– How quickly could I get approved and funded? Initial responses often arrive within hours on business days, while formal approvals and completion usually take from a few days to a few weeks depending on documents and lender processes.
– What documents will I need for business vehicle finance? You’ll usually need company registration and VAT details, recent accounts, 3–6 months’ bank statements, a vehicle quotation or supplier invoice, and a fleet list for multi-vehicle deals.
– How are rates and monthly costs for vehicle finance determined? Pricing depends on product type, vehicle age/value, term, deposit, credit profile, mileage assumptions, and whether maintenance or a balloon payment is included.
– Are maintenance, servicing and insurance included? Maintenance can be bundled with operating lease/contract hire agreements, while insurance is usually arranged separately (some brokers can help).
– Is Fast Business Loans a lender, and is the enquiry an application? No — Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects you with lenders/brokers, and the enquiry is free, non-binding and not a loan application (finance subject to status).
– What happens at the end of hire purchase or a lease? With HP you typically own the vehicle after the final payment, whereas leases usually offer return, extend or purchase options subject to the agreement.

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