Asset Finance for UK Businesses: Compare Lenders in Minutes
Summary: Asset finance helps growing UK companies fund vehicles, machinery, technology and renewable equipment without large upfront cash outlay. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend — we quickly match businesses (minimum requests from around £10,000) to the most suitable lenders and brokers for a free, no‑obligation eligibility check. Complete our short enquiry and you’ll be introduced to partners who can provide quotes, terms and next steps. Free Eligibility Check — takes under 2 minutes. No impact on your credit score.
Why asset finance matters for growing UK businesses
Asset finance lets businesses acquire the equipment they need now — plant, vehicles, IT, or renewable technology — and spread the cost across manageable payments. Instead of tying up cash, you preserve working capital, protect cash flow and often gain tax or accounting benefits depending on the structure chosen.
Typical use cases: replacing ageing machinery to increase output, buying delivery vans to grow logistics capacity, or upgrading IT and production equipment to meet new contracts. For amounts from around £10,000 upwards, asset finance is a commonly used tool for SMEs and growing companies across the UK.
Typical assets you can fund
- Construction plant & machinery (excavators, cranes)
- Commercial vehicles and fleet upgrades (vans, HGVs)
- Manufacturing equipment and presses
- IT hardware, servers and software packages
- Healthcare and dental equipment
- Hospitality equipment and kitchen fit-outs
- Green assets — solar panels, EV chargers, energy-saving machinery
How Fast Business Loans helps you secure the right deal
We are a specialist introducer. We don’t lend and we don’t provide regulated financial advice — our role is to listen to your requirements and match your business with lenders or brokers who best fit your sector, asset type and borrowing profile.
Benefits of using our matching service:
- Faster access to quotes — typically you’ll hear back from partners within hours.
- Sector-specific matches — increased chance of approval because partners understand your trade.
- No obligation — the enquiry is a matching request, not a formal application.
- Soft checks first — initial eligibility checks won’t harm your credit file.
Our 4-step connection process
- Complete a quick enquiry form with basic business and asset details (under 2 minutes).
- We match your request with the lenders/brokers most likely to help.
- Selected partners contact you to discuss terms and provide a quote.
- Compare offers and proceed directly with the lender/broker that best fits your needs.
Remember: the enquiry form is not an application — it’s information to help us make accurate matches. Free Eligibility Check
Asset finance options explained
Hire Purchase
Hire Purchase (HP) lets you spread payments and typically transfer ownership at the end of the term after the final payment. It’s widely used when you intend to own the asset. Pros: straightforward, predictable payments. Cons: asset sits on your balance sheet; deposit may be required.
Finance Lease
With a finance lease a lender buys the asset and leases it to you for an agreed term. You usually have maintenance and residual value responsibilities. Pros: lower initial outlay vs. buying; flexible end-of-term options. Cons: you may not own the asset without a separate agreement.
Operating Lease
Operating leases suit businesses wanting short-term use without ownership. The asset remains on the lessor’s balance sheet and you return it at term end. Pros: off-balance-sheet treatment for some companies; upgrade flexibility. Cons: ongoing rental cost and possible usage limits.
Refinance / Sale & Leaseback
Sale & leaseback converts owned assets into cash by selling the asset to a funder and leasing it back. This is useful to unlock capital tied up in high‑value equipment. Pros: immediate liquidity; keeps equipment in use. Cons: long-term lease costs and potential tax/accounting implications.
Quick comparison: Hire Purchase = ownership at end; Finance Lease = long-term rental with responsibilities; Operating Lease = short-term rental; Sale & Leaseback = cash unlock. Not sure which fits? Check My Eligibility.
For more detailed background on asset finance structures and examples, see our pillar guide on asset finance.
What lenders and brokers will want to know
To provide an accurate quote, partners typically ask for:
- Company name, registration number and trading address
- Annual turnover and recent bank statements
- Director details and credit status (high-level)
- Asset details: age, make/model, new vs used, cost
- Desired finance amount, term and any deposit available
- Purpose of the asset and how it will be used
Optional supporting documents that speed up decisions: three months’ bank statements, recent accounts, supplier quote or pro forma invoice. Want help preparing these? Get Started Free Eligibility Check.
Sector expertise: asset finance across UK industries
Our panel includes brokers and lenders experienced in:
- Construction — plant and vehicle finance for contractors
- Manufacturing — presses, conveyors, robotics
- Agriculture — tractors, combines, specialist equipment
- Hospitality & catering — kitchen fit-outs and equipment
- Transport & logistics — fleet finance and replacements
We match you with partners who know your industry so you don’t waste time explaining trade specifics. Get Quote Now
Funding scenarios & illustrative examples
Case study 1 — Manufacturing line upgrade
Situation: SME needed a new CNC line costing £180,000 but couldn’t free capital without disrupting cash flow. Outcome: sale & leaseback combined with a finance lease freed £120,000 and spread the balance across 5 years — enabling production to scale while preserving working capital.
Case study 2 — Van fleet expansion
Situation: regional logistics firm wanted 8 new vans (£10k–£40k each). Outcome: hire purchase across staggered terms matched cashflow; predictable monthly costs and planned replacement cycle.
Case study 3 — Green upgrade for hospitality
Situation: pub group installing solar panels and EV chargers. Outcome: specialist asset finance for green equipment delivered lower-cost finance and enabled faster ROI on energy savings.
Examples are illustrative. Outcomes depend on lender criteria and business circumstances. To explore options for your case, Free Eligibility Check.
Benefits of using Fast Business Loans
- Save time — one short form connects you with multiple relevant partners.
- Broader market access — we match you to lenders and brokers you may not know.
- Improve your chances — sector-aware partners increase suitability.
- No obligation, no fee — free service for business owners.
- Soft checks initially — protects your credit profile.
Frequently asked questions about asset finance
Is asset finance secured?
Most asset finance products are secured against the asset itself. For larger or specialist transactions, lenders may ask for additional security or director guarantees depending on circumstances.
Do I need a deposit?
Some lenders require a deposit, others offer 0% deposit or flexible deposit options. The finance structure, asset age and credit profile influence deposit requirements.
How quickly can funds be released?
Simple, standard transactions can complete in days once documents are in place; specialist or higher-value transactions may take weeks. Matching with the right partner speeds the process.
Can I finance used equipment?
Yes — many lenders will finance used assets, particularly if they retain resale value. The asset’s age and condition affect terms and rates.
Will applying affect my credit score?
No. Our initial matching and soft eligibility checks do not impact your credit file. Lenders may perform hard credit checks only when you choose to progress.
Still have a question? Check My Eligibility
Steps to start your asset finance enquiry
- Click “Start Your Asset Finance Enquiry” and complete the short form (under 2 minutes).
- We match your information to the most suitable lenders and brokers.
- Selected partners contact you with quotes and next steps.
- Compare offers and proceed directly with the provider you choose.
We only share your details with relevant partners to improve match quality. The enquiry is not an application and there’s no obligation to accept any offer. Get Started Free Eligibility Check
Compliance & disclaimer
Fast Business Loans connects UK businesses with lenders and brokers. We are an introducer — not a lender — and we do not provide regulated financial advice. All finance is subject to status, lender criteria and affordability checks. Example scenarios are illustrative and not guarantees. By submitting an enquiry you consent to us sharing your details with selected finance partners in line with our privacy policy and terms & conditions.
Need help right away? Request a callback or Get Quote Now.
Fast Business Loans — connecting UK businesses with trusted lenders and brokers for asset finance requests from approximately £10,000 and upwards. The enquiry form is not a loan application; it helps us match you to the right finance providers. No obligation to proceed.
– Is Fast Business Loans a lender? No — we’re an introducer that matches UK businesses with suitable asset finance lenders and brokers.
– Will completing the enquiry form affect my credit score? No — our initial eligibility checks are soft and won’t impact your credit file; hard checks only happen if you choose to proceed with a lender.
– What’s the minimum asset finance amount you handle? We typically support asset finance requests from around £10,000 and upwards.
– How quickly will I hear back and how long does funding take? You’ll usually hear from matched partners within hours, and straightforward deals can complete in days once documents are in place.
– What types of assets can I finance (including used and green)? You can fund new or used commercial vehicles, plant and machinery, IT and software, healthcare and hospitality equipment, and green assets like solar panels and EV chargers.
– What asset finance options are available? Common structures include Hire Purchase, Finance Lease, Operating Lease and Refinance/Sale & Leaseback.
– Do I need a deposit? Some lenders require a deposit while others offer low or 0% deposit options depending on the asset, structure and your credit profile.
– Is asset finance secured, and will I need a director guarantee? Most facilities are secured on the asset itself, with additional security or director guarantees sometimes requested for larger or specialist transactions.
– What information do lenders need to provide a quote? Typically you’ll be asked for company details, turnover and recent bank statements, director information, the asset’s age/spec/cost, and a supplier quote or invoice.
– Is the enquiry free and am I obliged to proceed? Yes — the eligibility check is free, carries no obligation, and is not a loan application; it’s used to match you with the right lenders or brokers.
