Equipment Finance for UK Businesses

Summary: Need new machinery, vehicles or specialist tools but don’t want to tie up cash? Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies and SMEs with lenders and brokers that offer asset finance from around £10,000 upwards. We don’t lend — we match your business to suitable equipment finance options (leasing, hire purchase, asset refinance and more). Complete a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll introduce you to the best finance partners for your needs: Free Eligibility Check.

Why equipment finance matters now

Replacing or upgrading equipment can drive productivity, reduce costs and unlock new contracts — but buying outright often drains working capital. Equipment finance spreads the cost and preserves cash for day-to-day operations and growth.

Fast Business Loans helps you explore asset funding options quickly so you can focus on running the business. Start with a Get Quote Now to see practical options from lenders and brokers that specialise in your sector.

What is equipment finance?

Equipment finance is a group of commercial products that help businesses acquire or refinance physical assets. Common forms include:

• Operating lease — pay to use equipment; usually off-balance-sheet and flexible upgrades.
• Hire purchase (HP) — repay in instalments and own the asset at the end of the term (once final payment made).
• Finance lease — longer-term lease with maintenance and residual value considerations.
• Asset refinance / sale & leaseback — release cash from existing owned equipment by selling to a funder and leasing it back.
• Short-term equipment loans — unsecured or secured facilities for smaller asset purchases or rapid needs.

Each option has trade-offs around ownership, tax treatment and balance sheet impact — speak to a matched broker or lender to find the best fit for your business and asset type.

How Fast Business Loans helps

We are a specialist introducer. We don’t make lending decisions — instead we:

• Match your enquiry to lenders and brokers experienced in your sector and asset type.
• Save you time by shortlisting partners who are likely to be interested.
• Ensure a no-obligation route to quotes so you can compare options without affecting your credit file.

Complete a Free Eligibility Check (takes around 2 minutes) and our partners will contact you to provide tailored quotes and next steps.

Benefits vs paying cash upfront

• Preserve working capital — keep cash in the business for operations and growth.
• Match payments to asset life — avoid paying for an asset long after its useful life.
• Potential cashflow and tax advantages — depending on the structure and your circumstances (seek independent tax advice).
• Upgrade flexibility — leasing can allow regular technology or equipment refreshes.

Note: tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances and legislation. Always consider professional advice before deciding.

Types of equipment we can help fund

Our lender panel covers a wide range of sectors and asset types across the UK. Examples include:

Construction & civil engineering

Excavators, crushers, dumper trucks, compactors and specialist plant.

Manufacturing & engineering

CNC machines, presses, conveyors, robotic cells and production lines.

Healthcare & laboratories

Medical imaging, diagnostic equipment, dental chairs and sterilisation units.

Hospitality & catering

Commercial kitchens, refrigeration, bakery lines and point-of-sale systems.

Transport & logistics

Vans, HGVs, forklift fleets, trailers and racking systems.

IT & technology

Servers, desktops, printers, software licences and telecoms hardware.

We can also help with used equipment, refurbishment projects and green/energy-efficient upgrades. If you’re unsure whether an asset qualifies, submit a brief enquiry: Get Started Free Eligibility Check.

Eligibility & typical criteria

Criteria vary by lender, but commonly considered factors include:

• Minimum finance value — our partners typically consider deals from around £10,000 and up.
• Trading history — many lenders prefer at least 12 months’ trading, though specialist lenders may consider newer businesses.
• Annual turnover and profitability — determines affordability and structure.
• Credit profile — business and sometimes director credit checks; adverse credit doesn’t automatically rule you out.
• Deposit or deposit-equivalent (occasionally required) and security depending on asset value and age.

If you’ve been previously declined, it’s still worth enquiring — different lenders assess risk differently.

Rates, terms & costs explained

Rates depend on asset type, term length, deposit, business profile and credit history. To provide responsible guidance:

• Indicative APR ranges (UK business market) can vary widely — for transparency, many lenders’ equipment finance pricing sits in a broad band where stronger profiles see the most competitive rates.
• Term lengths typically range from 1–7 years for most equipment; some assets (vehicles, heavy plant) may have longer terms.
• Common fees: arrangement fees, documentation fees, and potential early settlement charges or residual/balloon payments for certain products.

Exact costs are only available after a full assessment. Submit details for matched quotes: Get Quote Now. Finance is subject to status and affordability checks.

Step-by-step: Fast Business Loans process

1. Complete a short enquiry form — basic business and asset details (≈2 minutes).
2. We match your request to suitable lenders and brokers on our panel.
3. Selected partners contact you with options, indicative pricing and next steps.
4. Choose the best offer, complete any lender paperwork and fund the purchase.

Ready to get started? Free Eligibility Check.

Documents & information checklist

Having these ready speeds up the process:

• Recent equipment quote or supplier invoice.
• Business bank statements (typically 3 months).
• Company registration details and recent accounts or management accounts.
• Director ID/addresses and VAT registration (if applicable).
• Details of any existing finance or security over assets.

How to compare equipment finance options

When comparing quotes consider:

• Total cost of credit (including fees and interest) — not just monthly payment.
• Ownership: do you want to own at the end (hire purchase) or prefer upgrade flexibility (lease)?
• Early settlement terms and residual values.
• Service and support — maintenance, insurance requirements and the lender’s process.

Our matched brokers can walk you through comparisons so you clearly understand the trade-offs.

Sector spotlights — mini case studies

Frequently asked questions

Trust, transparency & next steps

Fast Business Loans is an introducer — we do not provide loans or financial advice. We share your enquiry with carefully selected lenders and brokers so they can provide tailored quotes. Data is only shared with partners relevant to your request and handled securely.

If you want a fast, no-obligation route to equipment funding options, complete our short enquiry now: Get Started — Free Eligibility Check. A matched lender or broker will contact you to discuss suitable solutions.

1) What is equipment finance and how does it work for UK SMEs?
Answer: Equipment finance lets you acquire or refinance assets like machinery, vehicles or IT by spreading costs via leasing, hire purchase, short‑term equipment loans or sale & leaseback, matched to you by Fast Business Loans.

2) What’s the difference between leasing and hire purchase?
Answer: Leasing lets you pay to use equipment with upgrade flexibility, while hire purchase spreads payments so you own the asset after the final instalment.

3) Can I finance second‑hand equipment or refinance assets I already own?
Answer: Yes—many lenders fund used equipment and offer asset refinance/sale & leaseback, with terms influenced by the asset’s age, condition and value.

4) What are the typical eligibility criteria for equipment finance?
Answer: Lenders usually consider deals from around £10,000, look at trading history (often 12+ months), affordability and credit profile, though start‑ups and adverse credit may still be considered.

5) How quickly can I get quotes or approval?
Answer: After a Free Eligibility Check, matched brokers or lenders often respond within hours, with formal approvals following once documents are reviewed.

6) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
Answer: No—completing the Fast Business Loans enquiry does not affect your credit score, and any credit checks occur later with your consent.

7) What rates, terms and fees should I expect on equipment finance?
Answer: Rates vary by asset and profile, terms commonly run 1–7 years, and fees can include arrangement/documentation charges plus any early settlement or balloon amounts.

8) Do I need a deposit or security for equipment finance?
Answer: Some agreements may require a deposit or asset‑backed security depending on the asset value, age and your credit profile.

9) What documents do I need to get started?
Answer: Typically you’ll need an equipment quote or supplier invoice, three months’ business bank statements, company details and accounts, director ID/addresses, and details of any existing finance.

10) Is Fast Business Loans a lender and does it cost to use your service?
Answer: Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches you with trusted UK brokers and lenders, and our service is free and without obligation.