Asset finance for UK businesses – compare trusted options fast
Summary: Asset finance helps UK companies fund machinery, vehicles, plant and equipment using the asset itself as security, preserving cash and spreading cost. Fast Business Loans does not lend; we match businesses (typically borrowing from £10,000 upwards) with lenders and brokers who can provide hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases, refinance and other asset-backed solutions. Complete a short, no-obligation enquiry to get a free eligibility check and matched quotes from suitable providers within hours. Start Your Free Eligibility Check
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
What is asset finance?
Asset finance is a group of lending solutions that allow a business to obtain the use of business equipment, vehicles or machinery without paying the full purchase price up front. Instead, the cost is funded and repaid over an agreed term. Unlike an unsecured term loan, asset finance is typically secured against the equipment (the “asset”) which can help secure lower rates or longer terms.
Common uses include replacing production machinery, buying vans or trucks, upgrading catering or medical equipment, and refinancing existing owned equipment to release capital. For a practical guide to equipment and machinery lending options, see our asset finance resources or reach out for a tailored match.
Get Asset Finance Quotes Now — it only takes 2 minutes to submit a short enquiry so we can match you to the best brokers and lenders for your asset.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
How Fast Business Loans helps
Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We don’t lend or provide regulated financial advice — we match businesses with lenders and brokers best suited to their needs. Our process is designed to be quick, transparent and helpful:
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
- Complete our quick enquiry form (under two minutes).
- We assess your needs and match you with lenders/brokers on our panel who specialise in your asset type and sector.
- Selected partners contact you with indicative quotes and next steps.
- You compare offers, agree terms directly with the chosen provider and proceed if you wish.
We help you save time and increase the chance of a suitable match — and initial enquiries are soft checks that won’t affect your credit score. See if you qualify — Free Eligibility Check.
Asset finance options we can introduce you to
Hire purchase (HP)
Hire purchase spreads the cost of an asset in fixed monthly payments. Ownership usually transfers when the final payment is made. HP is common for vehicles and machinery where you expect to own the asset at the end of the term.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Finance lease
With a finance lease the lender buys the asset and rents it to your business for most of its useful life. At the end of the term you may have options to purchase or return the asset. This structure can be efficient where the lender retains residual value risk.
Operating lease
Operating leases are closer to rental agreements — useful when you prefer to upgrade equipment regularly without ownership responsibilities. Operating leases can keep balance sheet impact lower in certain accounting treatments (seek independent accounting advice).
Asset refinance (sale and leaseback)
If you already own equipment, refinancing can release cash by selling the asset to a funder and leasing it back. This frees working capital while allowing continued use of the asset.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Balloon and residual-based agreements
Some deals include a final balloon payment or residual value, reducing monthly costs during the term and offering flexibility at maturity.
Each option has different tax, accounting and cashflow implications. Our partners will explain what’s appropriate for your circumstances. For further detail on equipment-specific funding see our deeper guide to asset finance.
Interested? Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.
Eligible business assets & sectors
| Asset Type | Typical Uses | Typical Max Term |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing machinery | Production, CNC, presses | 3–7 years |
| Commercial vehicles | Delivery vans, HGVs, fleet | 2–5 years (depending on vehicle) |
| Construction plant & equipment | Excavators, dumpers, site machinery | 2–6 years |
| Medical & dental equipment | Scanners, chairs, diagnostic tools | 3–7 years |
| IT & specialist tools | Servers, fit-out equipment, catering | 2–5 years |
We regularly work with sectors such as manufacturing, construction, logistics, hospitality, healthcare and agriculture. If you have a specialist asset, our partners often have niche underwriting capability to consider unusual equipment or refurbished machinery.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Asset finance eligibility checklist
Below are typical factors lenders/brokers consider. This is a guideline — specific criteria vary by provider.
- Minimum funding amount: usually from around £10,000 upwards.
- Business structure: limited companies and established trading entities are commonly eligible.
- Trading history: many lenders favour 1–2+ years’ trading, though some panels will consider newer businesses depending on the asset and director support.
- Management accounts & bank statements (3–12 months).
- Supplier/invoice quotations and details of the asset (make, model, serial number).
- Director ID and proof of address.
- Existing finance arrangements and any CCJs/County Court Judgments — full disclosure helps find a suitable lender.
Initial enquiries through Fast Business Loans are soft checks only. Lenders may carry out credit and asset valuation checks once you progress to a formal application.
Benefits & risks to consider
| Benefits | Risks / Considerations |
|---|---|
| Preserve cash – spread the cost of capital purchases. | Asset is security — default can lead to repossession. |
| Often quicker than secured term loans for equipment purchases. | Costs vary by asset age, sector risk and credit profile. |
| Possible VAT and tax advantages depending on agreement. | Residual values and balloon payments can leave end-of-term choices. |
| Can be structured to match cashflow seasonality. | Not all lenders fund used/refurbished assets equally. |
What this means for you: get clear, comparable quotes and ask about all fees, maintenance obligations and end-of-term options before signing.
Cost illustration & ROI snapshot
Example (illustrative only): purchase of a £75,000 CNC machine on a 60-month hire purchase.
| Item | Example |
|---|---|
| Asset value | £75,000 |
| Deposit | 10% (£7,500) |
| Amount financed | £67,500 |
| Representative rate (example) | 7.5% APR (varies by lender) |
| Monthly payment (approx.) | £1,352 |
| Total repayable (approx.) | £81,120 |
Assuming the new machine increases output or reduces subcontract costs, calculate the payback: additional gross margin generated per month minus monthly finance cost. This is a simplified snapshot — actual terms depend on lender pricing, credit profile and deal structure. Always request full terms from the lender.
Compliance note: figures above are illustrative only; final rates, fees and terms are set by lenders.
Get Quote Now — submit a quick enquiry and partners will provide illustrative offers tailored to your business and asset.
How to apply through Fast Business Loans
- Click “Start Your Free Eligibility Check” and complete the short enquiry form.
- Tell us about your business, the asset and the amount you need (takes under 2 minutes).
- We match you with up to several suitable brokers/lenders who contact you to refine terms and request documents.
- Receive offers, compare, and proceed directly with the provider you choose.
Fast Business Loans does not charge you; we may receive payment from partners we introduce. There is no obligation to proceed after you have been matched.
Why businesses choose Fast Business Loans
- Speed: short enquiry and rapid matching — many businesses receive contact within hours.
- Sector expertise: partners who understand niche equipment and specialist industries.
- Free to use, no obligation and initial enquiries don’t affect credit score.
- We focus on businesses seeking funding from around £10k upwards.
“Fast Business Loans helped us find a lender who understood our manufacturing cycle and got the deal done within days.” — Example testimonial (representative).
Compliance & transparency
Fast Business Loans is an introducer and not a lender or regulated financial adviser. We do not provide advice; we introduce businesses to lenders and brokers who may offer finance. Finance is subject to status, lender criteria and terms. We do not guarantee approval.
For details on how we handle your data and our terms, see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. If you need regulated advice, consult a qualified adviser before proceeding.
FAQs on asset finance
What types of asset finance can I be introduced to?
We can introduce you to brokers and lenders offering hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases, sale & leaseback (refinance) and residual/balloon arrangements. Suitability depends on the asset, your business profile and lender appetite.
How quickly could my business secure funding?
Many partners provide conditional offers within 24–72 hours after receiving paperwork. Final completion depends on valuation, delivery schedules and lender processes.
Will an asset finance enquiry affect my credit score?
Submitting our enquiry is a soft process and will not impact credit scores. Lenders may perform hard credit checks only when you make a formal application.
Can I refinance equipment I already own?
Yes — sale and leaseback or refinancing allows you to release capital from existing assets subject to valuation and lender approval.
What documents do brokers typically ask for?
Recent management accounts, bank statements, quotes or invoices for the asset, ID for directors, and details of existing finance. Requirements vary by lender.
Ready to explore asset finance?
Complete our short enquiry to get matched quickly with brokers and lenders who can help you fund equipment, vehicles or plant. It’s free, takes less than two minutes, and there’s no obligation.
Start Your Free Eligibility Check — matched responses usually arrive within hours.
If you’d like to learn more about specific equipment funding or see specialist case studies, our resources include a detailed asset finance guide for machinery and equipment.
– What is asset finance and how does it work?
Asset finance lets UK businesses acquire machinery, vehicles or equipment by spreading payments over time, using the asset itself as security instead of paying the full cost up front.
– Are you a lender, and is the enquiry an application?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer, and the short enquiry is a free, no‑obligation information request used to match you with suitable lenders and brokers.
– Which types of asset finance can you help me compare?
We help you compare hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases, asset refinance/sale‑and‑leaseback, and balloon or residual‑based agreements via trusted providers.
– How quickly can I get quotes and funding?
Submit the free eligibility check to get matched quotes within hours, with many partners issuing conditional offers in 24–72 hours once documents are received.
– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—your enquiry triggers only soft checks; any hard credit search happens later if you choose to proceed with a lender’s formal application.
– What amounts can I borrow and who is eligible?
Our partners typically fund from around £10,000 upward for UK limited companies and established traders, with some considering newer businesses depending on the asset and director support.
– Do I need a deposit and what rates can I expect?
Many HP deals request a deposit (often around 10%), and total costs and APRs vary by asset type, age, credit profile and term—your matched provider will confirm exact pricing.
– Can I finance used or specialist equipment and which sectors do you cover?
Yes—partners can fund new, used or refurbished assets across sectors like manufacturing, construction, logistics, healthcare, hospitality and agriculture, subject to valuation and lender criteria.
– What happens at the end of the agreement (HP vs lease)?
Under hire purchase you usually own the asset after the final payment, while leases typically let you return, upgrade or purchase depending on the specific end‑of‑term options.
– Can I refinance equipment I already own to release cash?
Yes—sale‑and‑leaseback or asset refinance can release working capital from equipment you already own while you continue to use it, subject to valuation and approval.