Equipment finance for UK businesses — fast, flexible funding to buy the kit you need

Summary: Equipment finance helps UK companies buy, lease or refinance essential machinery, vehicles and technology without a large upfront cost. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend — we match limited companies and growing SMEs (funding from £10,000+) to lenders and brokers who specialise in equipment lending. Use our quick, no-obligation Free Eligibility Check to get matched with the best providers and receive tailored quotes by phone or email.

What is equipment finance and how does it work?

Equipment finance is a way for businesses to acquire the tools, machines or vehicles they need without paying the full purchase price upfront. It covers new and, in many cases, second‑hand assets such as manufacturing machinery, IT and servers, catering kit, medical and diagnostic equipment, plant and commercial vehicles.

Common structures include:

• Equipment loans — a cash loan to buy the asset outright; you own the equipment from day one.
• Leasing — you pay to use the asset for an agreed term; ownership usually stays with the finance company.
• Hire purchase (HP) — structured repayments with ownership transferring after the final payment.
• Asset refinance — release cash tied up in existing equipment by refinancing the asset.

Each option affects cashflow, tax and balance sheet treatment differently — your matched broker or lender will explain which could be best for your situation. Fast Business Loans helps you reach those experts quickly. Get a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you with partners who specialise in the type of asset you need.

Who we help: from scaling SMEs to established limited companies

We work with limited companies and SMEs across many industries that need equipment funding from around £10,000 upwards. Typical customers include:

• Manufacturers upgrading production lines
• Construction firms buying plant and attachments
• Hospitality businesses renewing kitchen or front-of-house equipment
• Logistics operators buying vans, trucks or fork-lift trucks
• Healthcare providers investing in clinical or diagnostic machinery

If you’re running a company and need equipment funding, complete our short form to Get Quote Now — it takes less than two minutes and won’t affect your credit score.

Equipment finance options: loans, leasing, hire purchase & more

Equipment loans

Simple loan to purchase equipment. Pros: you own the asset; flexible term lengths; predictable repayments. Cons: larger initial repayment profile can impact short‑term cashflow. Typical deposit: often low or zero depending on credit and asset.

Leasing

Operating leases and finance leases let you spread the cost while preserving working capital. Pros: lower up-front cost, potential off-balance-sheet benefits for operating leases. Cons: you may never own the asset (operating lease) and total cost over the lease term can be higher.

Hire purchase

Installment structure where ownership transfers after full repayment. Pros: clear path to ownership, fixed payments. Cons: asset is security for the lender until final payment.

Asset refinance

Release cash from assets you already own by refinancing them — useful for freeing cash for growth or refurbishment.

Want more detail on specific asset types and tax considerations? See our guidance on equipment finance or ask a specialist when you Get Started with a Free Eligibility Check. For deeper reading on asset-specific options, review our pillar on equipment finance.

Benefits of partnering with Fast Business Loans

• Speed: send one short enquiry and get matched quickly to lenders/brokers who can help.
• Choice: access a broad panel of specialist providers to increase your chances of a competitive offer.
• No obligation: our matching service is free and you’re under no pressure to accept an offer.
• Sector expertise: we match you with partners who understand your industry and asset type.
• Privacy: your details are only shared with providers relevant to your enquiry.

“We were matched to a broker within hours and had a term sheet in two days — the process saved us weeks of searching.” — anonymised client example

Our process: from enquiry to equipment installation

Step 1: Complete the Free Eligibility Check (≤2 mins)

Tell us the business name, turnover band, how much you need and what you’re buying. Start here: Free Eligibility Check.

Step 2: Intelligent match with trusted brokers & lenders

We use your details to match you to partners experienced in your sector and asset type. Matches are selected to save you time and increase the chance of a suitable offer.

Step 3: Compare terms, choose & proceed

Matched providers will contact you to discuss options and request any supporting documents. You then compare offers and proceed directly with the lender or broker of your choice.

Data is handled securely and your enquiry does not commit you to borrowing or affect your business credit score. Start your enquiry now: Get Quote Now.

Eligibility & what lenders consider

Lenders and brokers typically assess:

• Trading history and legal entity (limited companies are eligible).
• Annual turnover and profitability.
• Balance sheet strength and existing borrowing.
• Credit profile for the business and, where required, company directors.
• Type, age and value of the asset being financed.

Preparing supporting documents

To speed approval, have:

• Recent management accounts and bank statements
• Purchase invoice or quote for the equipment
• Business plan or cashflow projections for new businesses or expansion projects

New businesses & adverse credit

Some specialist lenders will consider businesses with limited trading history or previous credit issues — eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Use our short form to reveal the most relevant options for your situation: Free Eligibility Check.

Costs, rates & repayment structures explained

Rates and costs depend on asset type, term length, security and credit profile. Typical influences include:

• Asset: new equipment often attracts better rates than older, second‑hand kit.
• Term: longer terms reduce monthly payments but may raise total cost.
• Deposit and residual value: some agreements require deposits or balloon payments.
• Security: unsecured facilities usually carry higher rates.

Example scenarios (indicative only — subject to lender assessment):

• £50,000 finance for new manufacturing kit over 5 years — fixed monthly repayments, ownership depending on product chosen.
• £25,000 lease for catering equipment over 3 years — lower initial outlay, rental payments and end‑of‑term options.

All examples are for illustration. Actual rates and charges will be provided by lenders in personalised quotations. For a tailored quote, complete our short enquiry: Get Matched Now.

Sector-specific support

We routinely help businesses in:

• Manufacturing & engineering — CNC machines, conveyors, presses.
• Hospitality & catering — ovens, refrigeration, POS systems.
• Logistics & transport — fleet purchases, trailers, plant equipment.
• Healthcare — diagnostic scanners, sterilisation equipment.

Mini case: A small bakery replaced ovens via a 4‑year hire purchase agreement, spreading cost and maintaining cashflow — they were matched via our platform and funded within two weeks.

Check Your Eligibility in Minutes to see which specialists can support your industry and asset needs.

Top tips to strengthen your application

• Keep business accounts and cashflow forecasts up to date — lenders ask for recent data.
• Provide clear quotes/invoices for the equipment you intend to buy.
• Show how the asset will generate revenue or efficiency gains — lenders like to see purpose.
• Consider a reasonable deposit if it improves the pricing available to you.
• Be transparent about any previous credit issues — matching with the right lender matters.

Here’s why it matters: better documentation speeds approvals and can deliver lower rates — saving time and money.

Why choose introducers over going direct?

Searching dozens of lenders takes time. An introducer like Fast Business Loans gives you:

• Access to a curated panel of specialist lenders and brokers.
• Faster matches to providers most likely to offer suitable terms.
• Less admin — one short form, multiple potential matches.

We’re free to use and you’re under no obligation to accept any offer. Start with a short enquiry: Free Eligibility Check.

Ready to invest in essential equipment?

If buying or upgrading equipment is holding your business back, don’t wait. Complete our short form and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who can help — it’s free and takes under two minutes. No obligation, no credit impact to enquire: Get Your Equipment Finance Quote Now.

Equipment finance FAQs

Compliance & transparency statement

Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses to lenders and brokers — we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. We aim to present clear, fair and not misleading information. All offers are subject to lender assessment and eligibility. We recommend reviewing personalised illustrations and seeking professional advice if you are unsure about a particular finance product.

1) What is equipment finance and how does it work? — Equipment finance lets UK businesses acquire machinery, vehicles or technology via an equipment loan, lease, hire purchase or asset refinance so you avoid a large upfront cost.

2) How does Fast Business Loans help with equipment finance? — We’re an introducer, not a lender, and our free, no‑obligation eligibility check matches UK limited companies and SMEs to specialist equipment finance lenders and brokers for tailored quotes.

3) How quickly can funding be arranged? — You can often receive indicative terms within hours and, once documents are ready, complete funding in a few days depending on the asset and complexity.

4) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? — No—our quick enquiry isn’t an application and won’t affect your credit score; lenders only run checks if you choose to proceed with an offer.

5) Which equipment finance options can I choose? — Options include equipment loans (you own the asset), leasing (you pay to use it), hire purchase (ownership after final payment) and asset refinance (release cash from existing kit).

6) What funding amounts and terms are available? — Our partners typically fund from around £10,000 upwards with terms set according to the asset type, age and your business profile.

7) What will it cost and what rates can I expect? — Rates depend on factors like asset type, term length, deposit, security and credit profile, with exact pricing provided in personalised lender quotations.

8) Do I need a deposit, or can I get zero‑deposit equipment finance? — Many agreements can be arranged with low or zero deposit, while others may require 5–20% depending on the asset and credit strength.

9) Can I finance used or second‑hand equipment? — Yes—many lenders fund used or refurbished equipment subject to age, condition and valuation criteria.

10) Are there early repayment options? — Most lenders allow early settlement, but terms and any fees vary, so confirm specifics with your matched provider before committing.