Asset Finance for UK Businesses: Find the Right Funding Fast
Summary: Asset finance helps UK businesses fund machinery, vehicles, IT and other capital equipment without large upfront cash. Fast Business Loans does not lend money — we match businesses (limited companies, partnerships, franchises and similar entities) with lenders and brokers who specialise in asset funding. Our free, no-obligation enquiry connects you to providers that can offer hire purchase, leasing, refinance and other solutions for facilities from £10,000 and up. Start a Free Eligibility Check now to get matched and receive quotes by phone or email: Free Eligibility Check.
What is asset finance?
Asset finance is a way for businesses to acquire equipment, vehicles, plant, IT and other capital items by spreading the cost over an agreed term rather than paying the full purchase price upfront. It is commonly used to preserve cash, manage cashflow and ensure businesses can adopt new technology or replace worn assets quickly.
Common approaches include:
- Hire Purchase (HP) – you pay monthly instalments and own the asset when the contract ends.
- Finance Lease – rental payments cover most of the asset cost; ownership usually remains with the funder.
- Operating Lease – an off-balance-sheet rental for a fixed term, useful if you don’t want ownership.
- Refinance / Sale-and-Leaseback – free up cash by selling existing assets to a funder and leasing them back.
- Asset-based lending – borrowing against the value of assets to support larger working capital needs.
Asset finance can be secured against the asset itself and is typically suitable for facilities from £10,000 upwards. Terms, deposit levels and rates depend on the asset type, business profile and lender criteria.
How Fast Business Loans helps you secure asset finance
Fast Business Loans is a free introducer. We don’t recommend specific products or provide regulated financial advice — instead we use a short enquiry to match your requirements with lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and the asset you want to fund.
Our typical process:
- Complete a short enquiry (takes around 2 minutes).
- We match your business to suitable brokers and lenders in our panel.
- You receive contact and provisional terms from one or more providers.
- If you like an offer, the provider completes detailed checks and arranges funding or delivery.
This is a no-cost, no-obligation matching service — you only proceed with a lender if you choose to.
Asset finance options we can introduce
Hire Purchase (HP)
Best for businesses that want to own the asset at the end of a fixed term. You typically pay a deposit (often 10–30%) followed by monthly repayments. Terms commonly 1–7 years.
Finance Lease
Lease structure where the lender owns the asset; you pay rentals. Often used for higher-value equipment and long-term use.
Operating Lease
A rental agreement where the asset is returned at term end. Useful for technology or vehicles where you prefer upgrades at regular intervals.
Refinance & Sale-and-Leaseback
Release cash tied up in owned assets by selling them to a funder and leasing them back. Good for improving liquidity without taking on new loans.
Asset-Based Lending
Borrowing against a pool of assets (machinery, stock, receivables) for larger facilities or working capital flexibility.
Each option has pros and cons depending on tax position, balance sheet preferences and residual values. Our matches aim to introduce providers who understand these nuances.
Who uses asset finance?
Asset finance supports a broad range of UK industries. Typical users include:
- Construction firms funding plant, diggers and scaffolding.
- Manufacturers buying CNC machines, presses and production equipment.
- Logistics businesses and fleets financing vans, lorries and electric vehicles.
- Agriculture and farming for tractors, milking parlours and harvesters.
- Healthcare for medical equipment and diagnostic machines.
- IT and professional services upgrading servers, workstations and software licences.
Asset finance is also used at different business stages — replacing worn assets, scaling operations, or freeing up cash via refinancing.
Example scenarios & potential facility sizes
| Example | Asset | Finance Type | Indicative Facility | Typical Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering SME | CNC machine | Hire Purchase | £250,000 | 5 years |
| Logistics operator | Electric delivery vans (fleet of 10) | Operating Lease | £300,000 | 3–5 years |
| Farm | Milking equipment upgrade | Finance Lease / HP | £45,000 | 4 years |
These examples are illustrative only. Actual offers vary by lender, asset condition (new/used), business history and security. Fast Business Loans will connect you to lenders/brokers who can provide tailored quotes.
Asset finance eligibility & required information
Typical criteria lenders consider:
- Business type (limited companies, partnerships, franchises, charities where applicable).
- Trading history (many lenders prefer at least 12 months trading but start-up options exist through specialist brokers).
- Annual turnover and cashflow profile.
- Director/shareholder information and credit history.
- Details about the asset (make, model, age, supplier invoice, proof of value).
Common documents requested during underwriting:
- Business accounts or management accounts.
- Recent bank statements (typically 3–6 months).
- Supplier quotations or invoices for the asset.
- Identification documents for directors.
Submitting an initial enquiry via Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score — providers usually perform a soft search first and only carry out hard credit checks with consent when you progress.
Why work with Fast Business Loans’ broker panel?
Using our matching service can save time and increase the chance of a suitable outcome:
- We search the market quickly on your behalf so you don’t contact dozens of lenders.
- Our panel includes brokers and lenders experienced in sector-specific asset deals.
- We provide straightforward introductions — you decide whether to engage further.
- There’s no cost to your business for using our service.
- Confidential and secure handling of your enquiry details.
Asset finance rates, terms & considerations
Rates depend on several factors:
- Credit profile of the business and directors.
- Type, age and expected residual value of the asset (new assets often attract better rates).
- Deposit or upfront contribution.
- Term length and whether the contract includes maintenance or service packages.
Indicative points to consider (for guidance only):
- Deposit expectations: commonly 0–30% depending on asset and lender.
- Term lengths: typically 1–7 years though some specialised asset lending may be longer.
- Interest/fees: shown in lender quotes as APR or equivalent; compare total cost and any balloon/residual payments.
All rates and terms are set by lenders. Fast Business Loans helps you get comparable quotes so you can make an informed choice.
Your asset finance journey — step by step
- Submit enquiry via our short form (2 minutes).
- Initial match — we connect you to suitable partners, usually within hours.
- Intro call from a broker or lender to discuss options and documentation.
- Offers — receive proposals and compare terms.
- Decision — accept the offer you prefer; provider will complete checks and contract signing.
- Delivery/funding — asset supplied or funds released on agreed terms.
You can decline offers at any point. Fast Business Loans does not charge businesses for introductions.
Support for different business structures
We introduce lenders and brokers that work with:
- Limited companies
- Partnerships and LLPs
- Franchise businesses
- Registered charities and social enterprises (case-by-case)
If your business has an unusual structure or a non-standard credit history, specialist brokers in our panel often have tailored approaches — complete the short enquiry so we can match you appropriately.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
- No. We’re an introducer that connects UK businesses with lenders and brokers who provide asset finance.
- Will my enquiry affect my credit score?
- Initial enquiries through our service are treated as soft searches and do not affect your credit rating. Lenders may carry out hard searches only with your permission when you proceed.
- What’s the minimum facility you can help with?
- We help businesses looking for asset finance facilities from around £10,000 and upwards.
- How quickly will I get a response?
- Many matched lenders or brokers contact applicants within a few hours during business days. Exact timelines depend on provider availability and the asset complexity.
- Can I fund used equipment?
- Yes — many lenders fund used assets though terms and valuations vary by age and condition.
- What happens if the asset becomes obsolete?
- Different funding structures manage obsolescence differently. Leasing or shorter-term operating leases can help you upgrade more frequently; discuss residual value protections with providers.
Commitment to clear, fair and secure introductions
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses to lenders and brokers. We do not provide regulated financial advice or make lending decisions. Rates, APRs, fees and acceptance are determined by the lender. We aim to be clear and transparent: there is no charge for businesses using our matching service and no obligation to accept any offer.
Your information is handled securely and only shared with partners relevant to your enquiry. You should consider seeking independent professional advice if you are unsure about a product or its suitability for your business.
Ready to get a tailored asset finance quote?
If you need equipment, vehicles, plant or IT but would prefer to avoid lengthy searches, let us match you to specialist lenders and brokers. Complete a short enquiry and receive matched proposals so you can compare and decide.
Get Started — Free Eligibility Check • Phone: 0207 123 4567 • Email: hello@fastbusinessloans.net
For deeper reading on specific options and asset types, see our guide to asset finance.
– What is asset finance and how does it work?
Asset finance lets UK businesses acquire equipment, vehicles, plant or IT by spreading the cost over a fixed term, usually secured on the asset via hire purchase, leasing or asset-based lending.
– Are you a lender and is your service free with no obligation?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects you with trusted UK lenders and brokers, and our matching service is free and entirely without obligation.
– Is the enquiry a loan application and will it affect my credit score?
No—the quick enquiry is not a formal application and typically triggers only soft searches; lenders run hard checks only with your consent if you choose to proceed.
– What assets can be funded, including used equipment?
You can fund machinery, commercial vehicles, plant, IT, medical equipment and more, and many lenders will consider used assets subject to age, condition and valuation.
– What facility sizes, deposits and terms are typical?
We typically help with facilities from around £10,000 upward, with deposits commonly 0–30% and terms usually 1–7 years depending on the asset and your business profile.
– How fast can I receive quotes and funding?
Most applicants hear from matched providers within hours on business days, with funding or delivery following once documents and checks are completed—often within a few days for standard assets.
– Can start-ups or businesses with weaker credit get asset finance?
Yes—specialist brokers on our panel consider start-ups and those with thin or imperfect credit, though deposits, rates or guarantees may differ.
– What documents and information will I need to provide?
Expect to provide supplier quotes/invoices, 3–6 months of bank statements, recent accounts or management figures, asset details, and director identification.
– What’s the difference between hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease?
Hire purchase ends with ownership after instalments, a finance lease involves rental payments with the lender retaining title, and an operating lease is a shorter-term rental where you typically return or upgrade the asset.
– Can I refinance or use sale-and-leaseback to release cash from assets?
Yes—refinance and sale-and-leaseback can unlock capital tied up in owned assets by borrowing against them or selling to a funder and leasing them back.
