Get Equipment Funding Without the Guesswork

Need new machinery, a vehicle fleet, medical kit or IT hardware quickly? Equipment finance spreads the cost so you can invest now and pay over time. If your business requires funding of £10,000 or more, Fast Business Loans can connect you to lenders and brokers who specialise in the exact asset and sector you operate in.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check — takes less than 2 minutes and won’t affect your credit score.

What Is Equipment Finance?

Equipment finance is a set of commercial finance products designed to help businesses acquire, lease or refinance tangible assets. Rather than paying upfront, you spread the cost of the asset over an agreed term. Typical uses include:

• Buying manufacturing machinery or production lines
• Financing medical or dental equipment
• Upgrading catering or hospitality appliances
• IT hardware, servers and software-enabled systems
• Fleet purchases and specialist vehicles

Different structures exist — hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases and asset refinance — each with distinct accounting and cash flow implications. Fast Business Loans will match you to partners who explain these differences and present suitable quotes.

Why Work with Fast Business Loans?

We simplify a time-consuming search. Here’s how we add value:

Fast introductions to specialist lenders and brokers

• We match your sector, asset type and finance size to partners who are most likely to offer competitive terms.

Save time and improve outcomes

• No need to contact dozens of lenders — receive targeted responses from suitable providers.

Free, no-obligation enquiry

• Submit quick details, get matched, then decide whether to proceed. You’re under no obligation to accept any offer.

Get Quote Now — a simple step to compare tailored equipment finance options.

How Our Equipment Finance Matching Process Works

The matching process is designed to be efficient and transparent.

Step 1 – Share a few business details

Complete our short enquiry form with company details, the asset you want to finance and the approximate value. It takes under two minutes.

Step 2 – Instant matching with specialist partners

We compare your requirements against our panel and forward your enquiry to brokers and lenders best suited to your sector and asset type.

Step 3 – Discuss tailored quotes

Selected partners contact you directly to discuss terms, structure and next steps. This is where you get personalised guidance on rates, deposit options and tax treatment.

Step 4 – Choose if and when to proceed

There’s no pressure to accept any offer. If you proceed, lenders may carry out credit checks as part of their application process.

Note: Completing an enquiry does not commit you to a finance agreement. It simply allows us to find the most relevant providers for your needs.

Equipment Finance Options We Can Introduce

We connect businesses to providers offering a range of structures. Common options include:

Hire Purchase

Buy the equipment with staged payments. Ownership transfers after the final payment. Suitable when you want to own the asset at term end.

Finance Lease

Spread payments over a term while the lender retains ownership for accounting purposes. Often used for higher-value assets.

Operating Lease

A flexible rental-style agreement where you return the asset at term end. Useful if you want off‑balance or seasonal use.

Asset Refinance

Unlock working capital by releasing equity tied up in existing assets.

Unsecured Equipment Loans

For smaller assets or where security is impractical. Availability and amounts depend on provider criteria.

For detailed guidance on structuring finance to match taxation and cashflow needs, you may find our dedicated equipment finance pillar useful: equipment finance.

Equipment Finance Solutions by Sector

Different lenders specialise by industry. We match you with those who understand your sector’s risks and asset types.

Manufacturing & Engineering

Funding for CNC machines, production lines and automation. Lenders can structure long terms for capital-intensive machinery.

Construction & Trades

Finance for plant, excavators, lifting equipment and specialist tools. Options include hire purchase and vehicle leases.

Healthcare, Dental & Care Homes

Medical imaging, diagnostic devices and adaptive equipment often need customised terms and quick turnaround.

Hospitality, Catering & Leisure

Kitchen equipment, ovens, refrigeration and fit-out items with seasonal cashflow options available.

Agriculture & Rural Businesses

Tractors, cultivators and specialised farm machinery with lenders familiar with rural seasonal cashflow cycles.

Tech, IT & Creative

Servers, workstations, AV and post-production kit. Leasing can help keep up with rapid obsolescence.

Free Eligibility Check — tell us your sector and asset, we’ll route your enquiry to the right specialists.

Qualifying Criteria & What Lenders Look For

While criteria vary by provider, lenders typically review the following:

• Legal business entity: limited companies and established trading businesses (loans commonly from £10,000+).
• Trading history and turnover (some lenders work with newer businesses but many prefer established accounts).
• Management information: recent bank statements, business plan or cashflow forecasts.
• Asset details: age, condition, new vs used, price and vendor invoice.
• Security and guarantees: whether the asset itself or other security is available.

Documentation checklist (typical): recent company accounts, VAT returns (if applicable), bank statements and a quote or invoice for the equipment.

Equipment Finance Costs, Terms & Repayment FAQs

Typical term lengths & deposits

Terms commonly range from 2 to 7 years depending on asset life. Deposits or initial rentals may be required; some lenders offer 0% deposit options in specific cases.

How rates are set

Rates depend on asset type, borrower risk, term length and whether the finance is secured. Quoted rates may be fixed or variable.

End-of-term options

Options include owning the asset (hire purchase), returning it (operating lease), or settling a residual value (finance lease).

Comparing Equipment Finance vs Alternatives

Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose:

• Equipment finance – tailored to the asset, spreads cost, often matches asset life.
• Unsecured business loan – can be faster for small purchases but usually higher rates and shorter terms.
• Asset refinance – frees up capital from existing assets without taking new debt for purchases.

The right choice depends on balance sheet treatment, cashflow and long-term plans. Our partners will explain practical impacts for your accounts.

Case Snapshot: Upgrading a Production Line in Weeks

A Midlands engineering firm needed a £250,000 CNC upgrade to meet a new contract. Through our matching process they received three structured quotes within four working days. Using a finance lease aligned to equipment life, the company preserved working capital, started production in three weeks and repaid via monthly payments that matched new contract income. This scenario is hypothetical but demonstrates how the right match accelerates investment.

How to Maximise Approval Chances

Prepare these to speed decisions and improve terms:

• Provide a clear supplier quote or invoice for the equipment.
• Share recent bank statements and management accounts where available.
• Explain how the asset will generate revenue or savings (projected cashflow).
• Be transparent about existing borrowing and any CCJs or defaults.
• Consider a deposit to lower monthly cost or improve approval odds.

Good preparation helps brokers present your case more effectively to lenders.

Equipment Finance FAQs

Can start-ups apply?

Some lenders specialise in younger businesses, but many equipment finance providers prefer a trading history. Tell us your situation — we’ll match you with partners who may consider new ventures.

Is a personal guarantee needed?

Some lenders may request a personal guarantee for director-owned businesses; others will take the asset as primary security. It depends on the provider and risk profile.

Does the enquiry affect my credit score?

No — submitting our form is a soft process and will not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform credit checks only later if you decide to proceed.

Can I finance used equipment?

Yes. Many lenders finance used assets, though terms can depend on the asset’s age, condition and estimated resale value.

How quickly could funds arrive?

Times vary. For straightforward deals, funding can be arranged in days to a few weeks. Complex or high-value transactions may take longer due to valuations or due diligence.

What if I want to upgrade mid-term?

Options vary: early settlement, refinance, or trade-in arrangements. Your lender or broker will explain the best route for your contract.

Start Your Equipment Finance Enquiry

Ready to explore quotes? Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who can help. The service is free, takes under two minutes and won’t affect your credit score.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check