Equipment Finance for UK Businesses

Summary: Need equipment funding quickly? Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies and growing SMEs with vetted lenders and brokers to help secure equipment finance of £10,000 and above. Complete a short, no-obligation enquiry and we’ll match you with providers who typically respond fast with personalised options — credit-neutral and designed to get you a practical quote. Free Eligibility Check (takes under 2 minutes).

Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender or financial adviser. Enquiry will not affect your credit score. Quotes are subject to lender assessment; rates and approval are not guaranteed.

How equipment finance helps UK SMEs stay ahead

Keeping plant, machinery, vehicles or IT systems up to date is essential to stay competitive, improve productivity and reduce downtime. Equipment finance lets you spread the capital cost over time so you can deploy the asset now and pay for it from the revenue it generates. For many UK SMEs this is a faster, more tax-efficient route than using cash reserves or stretching overdrafts.

Fast Business Loans helps by matching your specific need — whether it’s a single machine or a fleet upgrade — to lenders and brokers who specialise in that asset type. This saves you time and increases the chance of a competitive offer. Ready to explore options? Get Quote Now (no obligation).

What is equipment finance?

Equipment finance is a collective term for funding that covers the purchase, lease or refinance of business assets. It can fund new or used equipment and is structured in ways that reflect the asset’s life and your cashflow. Key benefits include predictable monthly payments, potential tax allowances and preserving working capital for day-to-day operations.

Typical assets financed include:

• Manufacturing and workshop machinery (CNC, fabrication)
• Commercial vehicles and fleets (vans, trucks)
• IT hardware, telecoms and servers
• Medical and dental equipment
• Catering, hospitality and retail fit-out equipment
• Agricultural machinery and tractors

Equipment finance options we can introduce you to

Different funding routes suit different businesses and asset types. Below are the common options we introduce you to via our lender and broker panel.

Hire Purchase

Borrow to buy an asset and own it outright after the final payment. Typically requires a deposit; monthly repayments factor in interest. Ideal when you want ownership at the end of term.

Finance Lease

The lender retains ownership while you take the asset’s economic use. Lower upfront cost than purchase; often used for high-value machinery where ownership is less important.

Operating Lease (Contract Hire)

Shorter-term hire where the asset can be returned at term end. Useful when you want to avoid ownership responsibilities or reduce obsolescence risk.

Asset Refinance / Sale & Leaseback

Release cash by selling existing equipment to a funder and leasing it back. Good for freeing up working capital without disrupting operations.

VAT and Deposit Solutions

Specialist lenders can structure deals to manage VAT payments or reduce upfront deposits, depending on credit profile and asset type.

Compare options and find the right structure for your business — Free Eligibility Check.

Who we work best with

We specialise in helping limited companies and growing SMEs across a wide range of sectors. We typically match businesses seeking funding from £10,000 upwards. Ideal candidates often have:

• At least a short trading history (many lenders accept businesses trading 12+ months; some accept less with stronger security or management experience).
• Clear purpose for the asset (quote/invoice for the equipment helps speed decisions).
• Appropriate turnover relative to the requested facility (discussed during enquiry).

Even if you have adverse credit or previous refusals, our panel may still be able to help — complete a short enquiry to see tailored routes: Start Your Enquiry.

How Fast Business Loans works

1. Quick online enquiry — enter basic business details and the equipment value (under 2 minutes).
2. Smart matching — we connect you with brokers/lenders in our panel who specialise in your asset and sector.
3. Rapid response — partners typically provide indicative terms within hours during business hours.
4. Complete application — choose a partner to proceed; funder assessment and drawdown proceed directly between you and the lender/broker.

Our service is free to use and no obligation. We only share your details with relevant partners to help secure quotes. Free Eligibility Check — takes less than two minutes and won’t affect your credit score.

Rates, terms & costs explained (indicative guide)

Rates depend on lender, asset, term, deposit and credit profile. Below are typical ranges (indicative only):

• Representative APRs can vary widely — many asset finance deals are quoted as fixed rates or factor fees into monthly payments.
• Deposits: 0–20% depending on structure and credit.
• Terms: from 12 months to 7+ years depending on asset life.

Example scenarios (indicative):

For personalised rates and a realistic quote, complete a short enquiry: Get Quote Now.

Eligibility & documentation checklist

To speed the process, have the following ready:

• Company name, registration number and trading address.
• Contact details for directors.
• Recent bank statements (typically last 3 months).
• Latest management accounts or statutory accounts.
• Supplier quote or invoice for the equipment.

Some lenders accept newer businesses and scale-ups with strong trading forecasts; if you’re unsure, submit an enquiry and we’ll direct you to partners suited to your situation. Free Eligibility Check.

Industries we commonly support

We place enquiries with partners experienced in:

• Construction & plant
• Manufacturing & engineering
• Healthcare & dental
• Hospitality, catering & retail
• Agriculture & land management
• Logistics & fleet operators

If you need specialist equipment, our network includes brokers who understand sector-specific depreciation and residual values. Learn more about equipment finance options on our specialist page about equipment finance.

Real-world snapshot

Midlands engineering firm — challenge: outdated CNC machines causing delays. Solution: matched via our panel to a specialist asset finance broker who arranged a £180,000 finance lease structured over 6 years with manageable monthly payments. Outcome: production ramped up, new contracts fulfilled within 8 weeks of enquiry.

How to strengthen your application

• Provide a clear supplier quote or invoice for the equipment you plan to buy.
• Keep bank statements tidy and explain any large one-off transactions.
• Prepare a short forecast showing how the new equipment will support revenues.
• Consider a modest deposit to access better rates or terms.
• Check your company credit file for any surprises and be ready to explain historic issues.

Need help preparing? Our matched brokers can guide you through documentation — Start Your Enquiry.

Common questions about equipment finance

What types of equipment can be financed?

Most business assets are eligible: machinery, vehicles, IT, medical devices, catering equipment and more. Lenders consider asset life and resale value. Provide an itemised quote to speed assessment.

Do I need a deposit?

Some agreements require a deposit (often 5–20%), while other structures allow low or no upfront cost. The right approach depends on your credit profile and lender terms.

How quickly can funding be released?

Many enquiries receive indicative terms within hours; full funding timelines vary but can be as fast as a few days once documentation is complete. Complex deals take longer.

Can start-ups access equipment finance?

Certain lenders and brokers specialise in earlier-stage businesses. Where trading history is limited, stronger security, a deposit or director guarantees can help. Discuss during your enquiry.

What if equipment becomes obsolete?

Consider operating leases or shorter-term solutions to reduce obsolescence risk. Speak to a specialist and they’ll recommend the structure that fits the asset lifecycle.

Will applying affect my credit score?

No — completing our short enquiry is credit-neutral. Individual lenders may perform credit checks later in the application process if you proceed.

Your next step

Ready to explore tailored equipment finance options? Complete our quick, no-cost enquiry and we’ll match you with brokers and lenders who can provide quotes suited to your business. It takes under two minutes and won’t affect your credit score.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Important: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender or financial adviser. We connect businesses to lenders and brokers who will assess eligibility and offer terms. Quotes are subject to lender assessment. Fast Business Loans does not guarantee approval, rates or terms. By submitting an enquiry you agree we may share your details with relevant finance partners only.

1) What is equipment finance for UK businesses?
Equipment finance lets UK SMEs spread the cost of business assets by purchasing, leasing or refinancing equipment with fixed monthly payments aligned to the asset’s life.

2) Is Fast Business Loans a lender and does it cost anything to use?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches you with vetted UK brokers and lenders, and our service is free and no obligation.

3) What types of equipment can I finance (new or used)?
Most business assets qualify, including machinery, commercial vehicles, IT/servers, medical and dental devices, catering/retail fit-out and agricultural equipment—new or used.

4) How much can I borrow and for how long?
Our partners typically fund £10,000+ with terms from 12 months up to 7+ years depending on the asset, deposit and your credit profile.

5) How quickly can I get a quote and funding?
You’ll usually receive indicative terms within hours and, once documents are ready, many deals can complete in a few days.

6) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score or commit me to anything?
No—the enquiry is credit-neutral, not a full application, and there’s no obligation to proceed.

7) Do I need a deposit and can VAT be deferred?
Many lenders offer 0–20% deposit options and some can structure VAT-deferral or low/no upfront cost subject to eligibility.

8) Can start-ups or businesses with adverse credit get equipment finance?
Yes—specialist lenders on our panel consider newer businesses or imperfect credit, often with stronger security, a deposit or director guarantees.

9) What documents will I need to provide?
Typically you’ll need company and director details, the last three months’ bank statements, latest accounts, and a supplier quote or invoice for the equipment.

10) What’s the difference between hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease?
Hire purchase ends in ownership, a finance lease gives full economic use while the funder retains title, and an operating lease is shorter-term hire with return or upgrade options.