Equipment Finance for UK Businesses

Summary: Equipment finance helps UK companies buy, lease or refinance essential assets—machinery, vehicles, medical devices, catering kit and more—without large upfront cash expenditure. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend; we match businesses (minimum funding from around £10,000) with lenders and brokers who specialise in equipment funding. Submit a short enquiry to receive tailored, no-obligation quotes and a Free Eligibility Check — no impact on your credit score.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. We do not provide financial advice.

What is equipment finance & why it matters now

Equipment finance is a collective name for lending and leasing products that let businesses acquire or refinance physical assets. Instead of paying the full purchase price up front, you can spread costs via hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases or asset refinance arrangements. That preserves cash flow and helps you modernise operations, increase capacity, or replace ageing plant quickly.

In today’s environment—higher input costs, tight working capital and supply delays—access to flexible equipment funding can be the difference between winning work and losing it. If you need to upgrade machinery, replace vehicles, or invest in IT and medical kit, equipment finance is a practical option.

How Fast Business Loans connects you with trusted providers

Fast Business Loans simplifies the search for suitable lenders and brokers. Our approach is fast and focused:

1. Complete a short enquiry (takes under 2 minutes).
2. We match your business to lenders/brokers in our panel based on sector, asset type and funding size.
3. Matched providers contact you—usually within hours—to discuss terms and documentation.
4. Compare offers and decide. There’s no obligation to proceed.

We protect your data and only share details with partners who are likely to help. No credit enquiry is performed simply for matching. Ready to compare options? Start Free Eligibility Check — it’s quick and no-obligation.

Equipment finance solutions available via our panel

Our network covers common asset funding options businesses use:

• Hire Purchase (HP) — you pay installments and own the asset at the end of the agreement.
• Finance Lease — asset retained on finance provider’s balance sheet; flexible terms and potential tax benefits.
• Operating Lease / Rental — short-to-medium term rental where you return the asset at term end.
• Asset Refinance (Sale & Leaseback) — release cash tied up in existing equipment.

Typical funding ranges through our partners start from around £10,000 and go up to several million depending on asset type, condition and business profile. Repayment terms commonly range from 12–84 months. For more detailed sector-specific options, see our guide to equipment finance and how it fits different industries: equipment finance.

Get Quote Now — compare tailored offers from lenders and brokers matched to your needs.

Eligibility snapshot & documents to prepare

While lender criteria vary, most funders look at similar factors:

• Business trading history and structure
• Annual turnover and profitability
• Credit profile (business and sometimes director credit checks)
• Type, age and value of the asset

Common documents lenders ask for:

• Company registration details (inc. company number)
• Recent bank statements (typically 3–6 months)
• Management accounts or accounts for the last 12–24 months
• Supplier invoice or pro forma for the equipment
• ID for directors where required

Preparing these in advance speeds the process. If you’re missing anything, many brokers on our panel will advise on acceptable alternatives. Free Eligibility Check — find out what lenders will need for your enquiry.

How UK sectors use equipment finance

Construction & Trades

Plant hire, excavators, skips, site cabins and specialist tools are commonly funded to spread cost while maintaining cash flow between contracts.

Manufacturing & Engineering

Funding for CNC machines, presses and automation lets manufacturers upgrade capacity without huge capital outlay and often improves productivity and margins.

Healthcare & Care Homes

Medical imaging, diagnostic equipment, mobility vehicles and specialised care assets can be financed to maintain high service standards.

Hospitality & Leisure

Catering kit, refrigeration, POS systems and fit-outs are typical assets that benefit from leasing or HP agreements synchronized with business cash cycles.

Logistics & Transport

Fleet purchases, forklifts, telematics and trailers can be financed to scale operations while controlling upfront costs.

“We needed new CNC capacity fast. Fast Business Loans matched us with a broker who secured finance in days — production increased and we kept our working capital intact.” — Small manufacturing business (anonymised)

Match with a sector-specific lender and get a tailored quote.

Understanding costs, APR and ROI

Equipment finance costs commonly include interest, arrangement fees and, depending on product, residual values or balloon payments. APRs vary by lender, asset type, term and the security offered. We cannot promise rates; matched lenders will provide illustrations tailored to your circumstances.

When assessing deals consider total cost, tax treatment (e.g., capital allowances), and the business return: will the new equipment increase revenue, reduce labour costs, or lower maintenance? A realistic ROI calculation helps choose the right funding structure.

Want personalised cost examples? Get a Free Eligibility Check — no impact to credit score.

Why businesses choose Fast Business Loans

• Speed — short enquiry, fast matches and rapid contact.
• Choice — access to multiple lenders and specialist brokers for competitive options.
• Sector expertise — partners experienced in construction, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing and more.
• Security — we only share your details with partners likely to help; enquiries do not trigger a hard credit check.
• No obligation — you decide whether to proceed with any offer.

Thousands of UK businesses have used our service to find equipment finance quickly. Start Free Eligibility Check and see your options.

What happens after you submit an enquiry?

Timeline and expectations:

• Match: our system and team identify best-fit lenders/brokers.
• Contact: expect an email or call—often within a few business hours.
• Quote: providers will give indicative terms and list required documents.
• Decision: if you proceed, lenders carry out full credit and affordability checks before funding.

Micro-reassurance: submitting an enquiry is not an application and will not affect your credit score. Get Quote Now.

Support for different business profiles

We help a wide range of businesses: start-ups with a credible plan, established SMEs modernising plant, growth-stage firms expanding capacity and companies with past credit issues — some partners specialise in adverse-credit scenarios. Each case is different; a brief enquiry helps us direct you to the right specialist.

Glossary — key equipment finance terms

• Hire Purchase (HP) — buy via instalments; ownership transfers on final payment.
• Finance Lease — long-term rental with purchase options; lender retains title.
• Operating Lease — short-term rental; no ownership at term end.
• Residual Value — estimated worth of the asset at lease end.
• Balloon Payment — larger final repayment to reduce monthly costs.

Equipment Finance FAQs

What types of equipment can I finance?

Most business assets are eligible including machinery, vehicles, catering equipment, medical devices, IT hardware and specialist trade tools. Lender criteria differ by asset age and condition.

How long does approval usually take?

Initial contact often within hours; full approval times depend on documentation and lender processes — from a few days to several weeks for complex or high-value deals.

Can I refinance existing equipment to release cash?

Yes — sale & leaseback or refinancing options can release equity from assets to improve cash flow. Availability depends on asset value and lender appetite.

Will my personal credit score be checked?

Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit. Lenders may perform credit checks (business or personal) if you move to application stage; you’ll be told this in advance.

Do start-ups qualify for equipment finance?

Some lenders and brokers consider start-ups, usually requesting additional information such as a business plan, projected cash flow or personal guarantees.

What happens if the asset becomes obsolete?

Obsolescence risk is part of the decision: operating leases can reduce exposure as you return equipment at term end. Speak to your matched broker about upgrade and maintenance options.

Ready to explore equipment finance options?

Fast Business Loans will match your business with lenders and brokers who specialise in equipment funding. It takes under 2 minutes to submit an enquiry and there’s no obligation. Start Free Eligibility Check — receive tailored quotes and expert contact quickly. No impact on your credit score to enquire.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. We do not provide financial advice. All finance is subject to status and affordability checks. Terms and conditions apply.

– What is equipment finance and how does it work?
Equipment finance lets UK businesses buy, lease or refinance assets like machinery or vehicles by spreading costs via hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease or asset refinance instead of paying upfront.

– What types of equipment can I finance?
Most business assets can be funded, including construction plant, manufacturing machinery, medical devices, catering equipment, IT hardware, vehicles/fleet and specialist tools, subject to lender criteria and asset condition.

– How much can I borrow and over what term?
Typical funding ranges from around £10,000 up to several million with common terms of 12–84 months, depending on the asset and your business profile.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—an enquiry with Fast Business Loans won’t impact your credit score; credit checks may occur only if you choose to proceed with an application through a lender or broker.

– How quickly will I hear back and how long does approval take?
Matched lenders or brokers usually contact you within a few business hours, and full approvals can take from a few days to several weeks depending on complexity and documentation.

– Do start-ups or businesses with poor credit qualify for equipment finance?
Some panel lenders consider start-ups and firms with past credit issues, typically requiring extra information such as a business plan, projections or additional security.

– Can I refinance existing equipment to release cash?
Yes—asset refinance or sale-and-leaseback can unlock equity from equipment to improve cash flow, subject to asset value and lender appetite.

– What documents will lenders typically ask for?
Expect recent bank statements (3–6 months), company details, management or annual accounts, a supplier invoice/pro forma for the equipment, and director ID where required.

– What’s the difference between hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease?
Hire purchase ends with ownership after instalments, a finance lease keeps title with the funder but offers flexible terms, and an operating lease is shorter-term rental where you return the asset at the end.

– Is Fast Business Loans a lender and do I have to proceed?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer connecting you with trusted UK lenders and brokers, and the enquiry is free, no-obligation and not an application.