What is business vehicle finance?

Vehicle finance is the range of funding solutions that help businesses acquire or refinance commercial vehicles — vans, LCVs, HGVs, specialist vehicles and electric fleets. Instead of paying the full purchase price up front, companies use structured finance to preserve cash flow and spread the cost.

Common structures include hire purchase (HP), finance leases, contract hire, operating leases and asset refinancing. Each option allocates ownership, tax treatment and risk differently — a broker or lender can explain which aligns with your company’s accounting and cashflow needs.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer: we don’t supply loans ourselves. Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match your business to brokers and lenders who specialise in vehicle finance.

Why companies choose vehicle finance

Businesses choose vehicle finance for several practical reasons:

• Preserve working capital: Keep funds available for payroll, stock and growth rather than tying them up in vehicles.
• Scale quickly: Add vans or trucks to meet demand without large upfront costs.
• Flexible payment structures: Choose fixed monthly payments, seasonal profiles or balloon payments to suit cashflow cycles.
• Manage total cost of ownership: Spread maintenance, insurance and finance costs into a predictable monthly plan.

Want to see if your business qualifies? Get a Free Eligibility Check — it’s quick and has no impact on your credit score.

Vehicle finance solutions we can introduce

Through our panel we can connect you with brokers and lenders offering:

• Hire Purchase (HP) — spread the purchase price; ownership typically transfers after final payment.
• Finance Lease — lender owns the vehicle; you pay rentals and may have purchase options at term end.
• Operating Lease / Contract Hire — off-balance-sheet options for fixed-term rentals and fleet management.
• Contract Hire with maintenance — combine rental with servicing and tyres for simplified fleet costs.
• Refinance / Fleet refinance — release equity from an existing fleet to improve cashflow.
• Subscription models — flexible short-term access to vehicles where available.

Quick comparison: Lease vs Hire Purchase vs Refinance

Compare your options and choose what suits your business. Compare Vehicle Finance Options →

How Fast Business Loans works

We make the search for vehicle finance simple with a clear four-step process:

1. Complete a short enquiry — company basics, vehicle type and the amount you need (usually from £10,000 upwards).
2. We match you — your details go to selected brokers and lenders who specialise in vehicle and fleet funding.
3. Receive contact — a broker or lender will call or email to confirm details and outline likely options.
4. Compare offers — review quotes and choose the solution that fits your budget and strategy. Proceed only if you want to.

Our service is free and there’s no obligation to proceed. Start now: Get Matched to Lenders in Minutes.

Eligibility snapshot

Each lender sets its own criteria, but lenders we introduce commonly consider:

• Company trading history and annual turnover
• Director experience and personal credit where applicable
• Deposit or initial payment availability
• Vehicle age and mileage (for used vehicles)
• Purpose of finance and expected contract length

Lenders often accept applications from younger companies where assets or guarantees are provided. If your business has had credit issues, don’t assume you can’t access funding — let us match you to partners who review cases individually.

Typical documents that may be requested: recent management accounts, bank statements, VAT returns and vehicle specifications.

Vehicle finance across sectors we support

Our panel works with businesses across many industries that rely on vehicles:

• Logistics & couriers — vans and multi-vehicle fleets
• Construction & trades — tippers, flatbeds and site vehicles
• Care & healthcare providers — accessible transport
• Retail & delivery — last-mile vans and refrigerated vehicles
• Agriculture & land management — tractors and specialist plant transport
• Specialist fleets — conversions, box vans and bespoke equipment

We also help businesses transitioning to electric vehicles — tell us your sustainability goals and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who can help fund EVs and charging infrastructure. For a deep dive into vehicle-specific lending, see our vehicle finance guide on the site: vehicle finance.

Cost considerations & responsible borrowing

Before committing, understand the total cost of ownership and financing. Key factors to check:

• Interest rate (fixed vs variable)
• Fees: arrangement, documentation, early settlement
• Residual values and balloon payments
• Maintenance, insurance and road tax
• Penalties for excess mileage or wear in lease agreements

Always compare representative examples from brokers, read the small print and, where needed, consult your accountant about VAT and capital allowances. All finance offers are subject to lender assessment and affordability checks.

Why work with Fast Business Loans?

We help you save time and increase your chance of finding suitable vehicle funding:

1. Speed: short enquiry and fast matches to relevant brokers.
2. Specialist panel: lenders and brokers experienced in commercial vehicle funding.
3. Sector knowledge: we match you with partners who understand your industry.
4. Transparent: free service, no obligation to proceed and no hidden fees from us.
5. Secure: your details are only shared with selected partners who can help.

Ready to compare tailored quotes? Get a Vehicle Finance Quote →

Steps to prepare before you apply

To speed up the process, gather the following:

• Company registration number and VAT details
• Recent management accounts or accounts files
• Bank statements (last 3–6 months)
• Vehicle details (make, model, age, mileage, purpose)
• Preferred finance amount and term

Having this information ready makes it quicker for brokers to produce accurate quotes.

Frequently asked questions

Is vehicle finance available for electric fleets?

Yes. Many brokers and lenders now provide finance for electric vans, cars and HGVs. Tell us your sustainability objectives in the enquiry and we’ll match you to partners with relevant experience.

Can I finance used or specialist vehicles?

Yes. Funding is available for both new and used vehicles, and many lenders also finance specialist conversions. Eligibility and terms depend on vehicle age, condition and lender policies.

How quickly can I receive finance options?

After submitting your enquiry, you’ll usually hear from a broker or lender within hours during business days. Complex fleet requests may take longer while quotes are assembled.

Will an enquiry affect our credit score?

No. Completing Fast Business Loans’ enquiry form does not impact your business credit score. Lenders may perform credit checks only if you choose to proceed with an application.

What is the minimum amount you handle?

We typically deal with vehicle finance requests from around £10,000 and upwards.

What happens after I submit the enquiry?

We securely share your details with suitable brokers or lenders. They will contact you to confirm requirements, gather documents and outline possible finance options. You decide whether to take any offer further.

Get started with your vehicle finance match

Fast Business Loans makes it simple to explore vehicle funding options without the admin and without affecting your credit. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you to brokers and lenders who can provide tailored quotes.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check →

You’re under no obligation after submitting an enquiry — it’s simply the quickest way to see the options available to your business.

Compliance & transparency

Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with finance providers. We do not provide financial advice or lend money. We encourage you to read any lender or broker terms carefully and seek independent professional advice where appropriate. Our process is designed to be fair, clear and not misleading: your enquiry is free and no obligation.