Equipment Finance for UK Businesses: Compare Fast, Tailored Options

Summary: Equipment finance helps businesses buy or lease the machinery, vehicles, technology and specialist assets they need to operate and grow. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend — we match companies (minimum facility from £10,000) with lenders and brokers who specialise in hire purchase, lease, asset loans and refinance. Complete a short, no‑obligation enquiry and receive tailored, sector‑specific quotes quickly. Start your free eligibility check (takes under 2 minutes).

What is equipment finance and how does it work?

Equipment finance is a collective term for lending and leasing products designed to fund the purchase, lease or refinance of business assets — from production machinery and delivery vehicles to IT, medical devices and fit-outs. Rather than using cash reserves, businesses spread the cost over time while keeping the asset in use.

How it typically works:

• You identify the asset(s) and obtain supplier quotes or specifications.
• We (Fast Business Loans) introduce you to brokers and lenders matched to your sector and asset type.
• Providers assess your business details, the asset value and documentation, then issue indicative quotes.
• You compare offers, choose the most suitable solution and the lender completes underwriting and drawdown.

Examples of common terms (illustrative only): facilities from £10,000 upwards; terms usually from 1–7 years depending on asset type and lender. Exact rates and terms depend on lender underwriting and your business circumstances.

Types of equipment finance we can introduce

• Hire Purchase (HP) — spread the cost, own the asset after final payment.
• Finance Lease — long-term rental; ownership typically remains with the funder.
• Operating Lease — shorter-term rental with lower monthly cost; no ownership.
• Asset Loans / Equipment Loans — secured or unsecured loans to purchase equipment outright.
• Refinance / Capital Release — free up cash by refinancing existing owned assets.
• Vendor finance — arranged directly via your supplier through specialist lenders.

Why UK businesses choose Fast Business Loans for equipment funding

Finding the right finance partner can be time-consuming. Fast Business Loans removes the legwork by matching your enquiry with lenders and brokers who understand your industry and the asset you need. Our service is:

• Fast: a short enquiry connects you to relevant partners in minutes.
• Targeted: we match with sector‑specialist providers to improve chances of a suitable offer.
• Clear: we explain options and make clear we are an introducer, not a lender.
• No impact on credit score: submitting our enquiry does not affect your credit file.

Get Equipment Finance Quotes — takes under two minutes, no obligation.

Which equipment can be funded?

Most business assets can be financed. Typical categories:

Manufacturing & plant machinery

• CNC machines, presses, conveyors, packaging lines.
• Production tooling and factory upgrades.

Vehicles, fleet & material handling

• Vans, HGVs, refrigerated vehicles, forklifts and cranes.
• Whole-fleet replacement or single vehicle finance.

Technology, IT & medical devices

• Servers, workstations, bespoke software capitalisation and diagnostic equipment.

Hospitality, catering & retail fit-outs

• Kitchen equipment, POS systems, shelving and shop refits.

Renewable & sustainable equipment

• Solar PV, battery storage, EV chargers, energy-efficiency upgrades.

If you want to explore options for a specific asset, start your free eligibility check and we’ll match you with the most relevant brokers and lenders.

How our 4‑step equipment finance process works

Start My Free Eligibility Check — quick, free and no obligation.

What lenders look for (and how to prepare)

Being prepared speeds up approval. Typical lender checks include:

• Trading history & performance: management accounts, VAT returns, bank statements.
• Asset details: supplier quote, age, serial numbers, expected lifespan.
• Deposit & security: deposit size, potential business or personal guarantees.
• Affordability: cashflow projections showing repayments are sustainable.
• Credit profile: director and business credit histories.

Even if you’ve had a previous refusal, different lenders have different appetites — matching by sector improves outcomes. Brokers introduced via Fast Business Loans can help package your submission to suit the most appropriate underwriters.

Flexible equipment finance structures explained

Choosing the right structure depends on tax, accounting and cashflow considerations. Below is a simplified comparison.

Other options include balloon payments, seasonal profiles for seasonal businesses, and VAT deferral arrangements. If you’re unsure which is best, brokers can explain the likely accounting and cashflow outcomes for your business.

Equipment finance use cases across industries

Below are short, realistic examples showing how finance helps businesses move forward.

• Manufacturer: A small engineering firm funded a new CNC centre using hire purchase. Increased capacity led to a 30% rise in order intake within 9 months.
• Logistics provider: Fleet lease allowed a delivery operator to refresh vans with minimal upfront cost and predictable monthly payments during peak season.
• Healthcare clinic: Finance lease for diagnostic equipment spread cost while preserving working capital for staff and premises upgrades.
• Hospitality: Catering equipment and fit-out funded through an asset loan enabled a restaurant to reopen after refurbishment, increasing turnover ahead of loan cost.

Each example reflects introductions to specialist brokers who handled underwriting, tendered for the best rates and supported drawdown.

Costs, risks and responsible borrowing

All finance carries costs. Typical considerations include interest and fees, potential deposit, maintenance and insurance obligations, and early settlement charges. APRs and fees vary by lender and business risk profile.

Before proceeding, compare total cost of ownership across structures (e.g., hire purchase vs leasing) and ensure repayments fit projected cashflow. If in doubt, ask the broker for a full cost comparison and consider independent accounting or tax advice for complex arrangements.

Equipment finance FAQs

How fast can equipment finance be approved?

Indicative offers often arrive within 24–72 hours after brokers receive required documents. Final underwriting timing varies by lender and asset complexity.

Can I finance second‑hand equipment?

Yes — many lenders accept used assets if age and condition meet their criteria. Provide clear supplier details and equipment history to speed assessment.

Do I need a deposit?

Deposits vary: some deals require none, others request 10–30% depending on asset, lender and business profile. Brokers can negotiate terms to suit cashflow needs.

Will applying via Fast Business Loans affect my credit score?

No. Submitting our matching enquiry does not affect your credit file. Credit checks are performed later only by the broker/lender you decide to proceed with.

What documents will I need?

Commonly: recent management accounts, bank statements, supplier quotes, proof of identity for directors and details of the asset(s). Your introduced broker will provide a tailored list.

What if I’ve been declined elsewhere?

Different lenders have different risk appetites. Being declined by one lender doesn’t mean every lender will refuse; our matching process targets partners more likely to be receptive to your situation.

Ready to explore your equipment finance options?

If you need new or used machinery, vehicles, IT or fit-out funding from £10,000 and up, Fast Business Loans will match you with the brokers and lenders best suited to your needs. Our service is free to use and there’s no obligation to proceed once you receive quotes.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check (under 2 minutes). We’ll use the details you provide to match you with specialist providers who can deliver tailored quotes by phone or email.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer; we do not provide lending ourselves. We receive commission from partners when a facility completes. Information on this page is for guidance and illustrative only — exact terms depend on lender underwriting. Always read offers carefully and consider professional advice where appropriate.

Learn more about equipment finance options and detailed product explanations on our dedicated equipment finance pillar page: equipment finance.

– How quickly can I get an equipment finance quote?
Most businesses receive indicative quotes within 24–72 hours after submitting the short enquiry and supplying basic documents.

– What is the minimum amount you can arrange for equipment finance?
Our partners typically consider facilities from around £10,000 upwards, with exact thresholds varying by lender and asset type.

– Will submitting your enquiry affect my credit score?
No—our enquiry is a soft, no‑impact step, and credit checks only happen later with the broker or lender you choose.

– Are you a lender or a broker?
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches you with trusted UK brokers and lenders, and our service is free with no obligation to proceed.

– Can I finance second‑hand equipment or vehicles?
Yes, many lenders will fund good‑quality used machinery and vehicles subject to age, condition and supplier details.

– What’s the difference between hire purchase and leasing?
Hire purchase spreads the cost and usually ends in ownership, while finance/operating leases are rental arrangements where ownership typically stays with the funder.

– Do I need a deposit?
It depends on the deal, but deposits can range from 0–30% based on the asset, lender and your business profile.

– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Expect recent management accounts or bank statements, supplier quotes/specifications, asset details and director ID/KYC.

– What terms and payment structures are available?
Terms commonly run 1–7 years with options such as balloon payments, seasonal profiles and VAT deferral subject to lender approval.

– Can I refinance existing equipment to release cash?
Yes—asset refinance can unlock capital tied up in owned equipment, subject to valuation and lender underwriting.