Equipment Finance for UK Businesses – Compare the Best Deals Faster

Summary: Equipment finance lets your business acquire machinery, vehicles, IT or specialist kit without paying cash upfront. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend — we match businesses (minimum requests from £10,000) with lenders and brokers who can provide hire purchase, leases, unsecured loans or refinance solutions. Complete a short, no-obligation enquiry and we’ll connect you with relevant specialists to get tailored quotes fast.

Get Started – Free Eligibility Check

Why UK Businesses Use Equipment Finance

Paying cash for essential kit can strain working capital. Equipment finance preserves cash flow, spreads the cost and often allows faster upgrades to more efficient kit. Common reasons businesses choose equipment finance:

• Upgrade or replace plant and machinery without large upfront cash outlay.
• Preserve working capital for operations, payroll or growth.
• Access tax-efficient purchase routes in some cases (your adviser will confirm).
• Spread payments to match revenue cycles — useful for seasonal trades.

Industries we commonly help include construction, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, agriculture and transport — in short, anywhere kit is critical to running the business.

Need funding for new kit? Get tailored options

Fast Business Loans: Your Equipment Finance Matching Partner

Let’s be clear: Fast Business Loans does not supply loans. We act as a speedy introducer — matching your requirement to lenders and brokers who specialise in business equipment funding. That means:

• Faster access to specialist providers who understand your sector.
• One short enquiry rather than filling multiple applications.
• No obligation and no fee for using our matching service.
• Initial enquiries don’t affect your credit record — only full applications do.

We handle your information carefully and only share it with partners who can help with your specific needs.

How Our Equipment Finance Matching Works

Here’s how it works in four simple steps — most businesses complete the process from enquiry to quote quickly.

1. Tell us about your business and kit. Complete a 2‑minute enquiry telling us the asset, amount needed (from £10,000), trading history and contact details.
2. Intelligent matching. Our platform and specialists match your request to lenders or brokers with experience in your sector and asset type.
3. Broker or lender contacts you. Expect a call or email to discuss indicative terms and any immediate documentation needed.
4. Compare and choose. Review proposals and proceed directly with the partner you choose — there’s no obligation to accept any offer.

Response times: many businesses receive introductions within minutes during business hours. Simple deals can proceed to funding in a few days once documentation is in place.

Start Your 2‑Minute Enquiry

Types of Equipment We Can Help You Finance

We connect to providers who fund a broad range of business assets — new or used, standard or specialist:

• Construction & plant: excavators, dumpers, compressors.
• Manufacturing & engineering: CNC machines, presses, production lines.
• Commercial vehicles & fleets: vans, HGVs, specialist transport.
• IT & telecoms: servers, networks, POS systems.
• Hospitality & catering: ovens, refrigeration, fit-out equipment.
• Medical & healthcare: diagnostic devices, scanners, treatment chairs.
• Agricultural machinery: tractors, harvesters, bale wrappers.

Struggling with specialist kit or imports? Tell us — our panel includes lenders experienced in niche and hard‑to‑place assets.

Finance Options We’ll Introduce You To

Depending on your asset, business profile and goals, brokers may suggest:

Hire Purchase

Spread the cost with ownership at the end of the term (after final payment). Pros: clear path to ownership. Cons: asset appears on your balance sheet.

Finance Lease

Longer-term funding where the lender retains ownership; you usually return the asset or exercise agreed options at term end. Pros: flexible end-of-term choices. Cons: may carry maintenance responsibilities.

Operating Lease

Shorter-term rental-style arrangement for usage without ownership. Pros: off-balance-sheet treatment for some businesses and simpler upgrades. Cons: ongoing rental cost rather than eventual ownership.

Unsecured Equipment Loans

Where the asset cannot be used as security, some lenders offer unsecured business loans for equipment. Pros: avoids asset charge. Cons: typically stricter affordability criteria and higher cost.

Refinancing / Asset Refinance

Release value from existing equipment to improve cash flow or consolidate finance. Pros: frees working capital. Cons: depends on remaining asset value and lender appetite.

Each option has pros and cons depending on tax, accounting and cashflow goals — your broker will explain what’s right for your business.

What Affects Equipment Finance Eligibility & Pricing?

Rates and terms depend on several predictable factors:

• Business profile: sector, trading length, turnover and contract stability.
• Credit history: company and director credit records affect pricing.
• Asset type and age: newer assets with strong resale value attract better terms.
• Deposit and VAT: higher deposits can reduce rates; VAT handling varies by product.
• Term and deal size: larger transactions often secure more competitive pricing.

Important: submitting an enquiry is not an application and does not impact your credit score. Brokers will confirm when a full (hard) credit check is needed.

Check Your Eligibility in Minutes

What You’ll Typically Need to Provide

To obtain accurate quotes, brokers usually ask for:

• Basic company information (Companies House number, registered address).
• Recent management accounts or accounts (latest year and YTD figures).
• Bank statements (typically last 3 months).
• Details of existing finance commitments.
• Supplier quote or pro-forma invoice for the equipment.
• Proof of ID for directors where required.

Brokers guide you through the paperwork and offer secure upload options. Repeat customers or franchise groups may qualify for fast-track documentation.

Example Equipment Finance Scenarios

Here are three typical outcomes to illustrate how businesses use equipment finance.

1. Construction firm upgrades excavators

Need: replace two mid-life excavators. Solution: hire purchase over 60 months allowing ownership at term end and predictable monthly costs. Result: site productivity improved without large capital outlay; funding matched to cashflow.

2. Restaurant fit-out for second site

Need: kitchen equipment and refrigeration for new venue. Solution: operating lease to keep balance sheet flexible and allow an upgrade cycle at franchise scale. Result: lower upfront cost, manageable monthly rentals and easier exit at lease end.

3. Manufacturer refinances CNC machine

Need: release tied-up capital to smooth payroll. Solution: asset refinance against the machine’s remaining value. Result: immediate working capital injected and improved cash position to cover orders.

Ready for tailored quotes? Start now.

Five Reasons to Use a Broker Panel Instead of Going Direct

1. Wider choice: brokers access multiple lenders so you can compare competitive offers.
2. Specialist knowledge: sector-focused brokers place complex or niche assets more effectively.
3. Single enquiry: one short form instead of multiple applications and credit checks.
4. Application support: brokers prepare paperwork to improve approval odds and speed.
5. Negotiation: brokers can negotiate commercial terms and arrange tailored structures.

Fast Business Loans works with experienced partners to connect you quickly to the right expert.

Costs, Terms & What to Compare

Indicative ranges (illustrative only):

• Terms: commonly 12–72 months depending on asset and product.
• Deposits: 0–20% typical depending on asset age and credit.
• Pricing: influenced by credit, asset value and term — brokers will show APR or equivalent.

When comparing quotes, check:

• APR or total cost over the term (including fees).
• Documentation and administration charges.
• Early settlement and purchase option terms.
• Who is responsible for maintenance, insurance and disposal.

All quotes are provided by brokers and lenders — read their terms carefully and ensure the proposal suits your business objectives.

Our Commitments: Transparent, Secure, People‑First

We promise clear, non-misleading information and secure handling of your data. We only share your details with partners matched to your enquiry. While we’re not a lender, we aim to deliver a fast, helpful route to the right finance professionals.

Getting Started: Your Next Steps

• Click the short enquiry link below and tell us about your business and the asset you want to fund.
• We match you to suitable brokers and lenders.
• Receive calls or emails with indicative quotes — compare and choose freely.

Get Equipment Finance Quotes Now

Want to read more about equipment finance fundamentals? Visit our pillar guide on equipment finance.

Equipment Finance FAQs

– What is equipment finance and how does it work?
Equipment finance lets UK businesses spread the cost of machinery, vehicles or IT through options like hire purchase, finance lease or asset refinance over an agreed term.

– Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
No—Fast Business Loans is a free matching service that introduces UK businesses to vetted brokers and lenders who arrange the finance directly.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—the 2‑minute enquiry is not a loan application and won’t affect your credit score; only if you choose to proceed might a provider run a hard check.

– How quickly can I get equipment finance quotes and funding?
Many businesses are matched within minutes during business hours, and straightforward deals can fund in a few days once documents are provided.

– What’s the minimum and maximum amount you can help with?
We match equipment finance from around £10,000 upwards, with larger transactions available via specialist lenders.

– Can I finance used equipment or imports?
Yes—many lenders will consider quality used or imported assets subject to valuation, age and supplier documentation.

– What equipment finance options can I compare?
You can compare hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases, unsecured equipment loans and asset refinance, tailored to your cashflow and tax goals.

– What documents will I need to provide?
Expect basic company details, recent accounts and bank statements, plus a supplier quote or pro‑forma invoice for the equipment.

– What rates, terms and deposits are typical for equipment finance?
Pricing depends on credit, asset type and term, with brokers quoting APR or equivalent—terms commonly run 12–72 months and deposits range from 0–20%.

– Can you help if I’m a start-up or have been declined elsewhere?
Yes—our broker panel includes specialists for start-ups and lenders with different criteria, so a previous decline doesn’t necessarily rule you out.