Equipment Finance for UK Businesses: Find the right funding fast

Summary: If your limited company needs finance to buy, lease or refinance business equipment (from catering and medical devices to heavy machinery and fleets), Fast Business Loans connects you — quickly and without obligation — to lenders and brokers who specialise in business equipment funding from £10,000 upwards. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll match your business to suitable providers so you can compare practical options and move forward with confidence. Get Your Free Eligibility Check

What is equipment finance and who is it for?

Equipment finance is a way for businesses to acquire the tools, machinery or technology they need without paying the full purchase price up front. Typical assets include manufacturing machines, construction plant, catering and kitchen kit, medical devices, commercial IT and software, and commercial vehicles and fleets.

Common structures you’ll see are:

• Hire Purchase (HP) — you pay monthly instalments and own the asset at the end of the term.
• Finance lease — lender owns the asset; you take on most of the economic risks and responsibilities for the asset during the term.
• Operating lease / rental — short- to medium-term rental without ownership; good for rapidly depreciating kit or short-term needs.
• Sale & leaseback — release cash from equipment you already own by selling it to a funder and leasing it back.

Equipment finance suits incorporated businesses and SMEs aiming to preserve cash flow, spread costs, replace ageing equipment, expand capacity or invest in growth. Fast Business Loans introduces businesses to providers who can offer solutions tailored to asset type and sector.

Why use Fast Business Loans for equipment funding?

We don’t lend. Instead, we act as a fast introducer — matching your business to lenders and brokers who specialise in business equipment funding. That means:

• Save time: one short enquiry connects you to multiple relevant partners instead of completing many applications.
• Better matches: we select lenders/brokers based on asset type, sector and funding size (from £10,000 upwards).
• No obligation: enquiring is free and does not commit you to a loan.
• Clear next steps: you’ll be connected to experienced brokers or lenders who explain terms, checks and timescales.

Get Your Free Eligibility Check

How our free matching process works

1. Submit a short enquiry — basic business details and the equipment you want to fund (takes under 2 minutes).
2. Smart matching — we identify the best brokers and lenders on our panel for your sector and asset.
3. Introductions — relevant partners contact you to discuss quotes, terms and paperwork.
4. Choose your lender — compare offers, negotiate terms with the broker/lender and complete their application processes.

Typical response time: many partners contact businesses within a few hours during working days; full funding timelines depend on lender due diligence and asset delivery but most introductions accelerate the process. Start my free eligibility check

Equipment finance options we can introduce

Hire Purchase (HP)

Definition: Fixed monthly payments; ownership transfers after the final payment.

• Best for: businesses that want to eventually own the asset.
• Key points: deposit may be required; terms commonly 2–5 years for equipment; VAT treatment varies.

Finance Lease

Definition: Long-term lease where the funder retains ownership; you take on maintenance and residual risk.

• Best for: assets with long useful lives where business prefers off-balance or alternative ownership structures.
• Key points: may include tax and accounting implications; often suited for higher-value assets.

Operating Lease / Rental

Definition: Shorter-term rental without transfer of ownership; lower monthly costs but no eventual ownership.

• Best for: businesses wanting flexibility or equipment that quickly becomes obsolete (IT, some medical tech).
• Key points: service and maintenance sometimes included; disposal risk stays with the funder.

Sale & Leaseback / Refinance

Definition: Convert owned equipment into working capital by selling to a funder and leasing it back.

• Best for: businesses that need immediate cash without losing operational use of equipment.
• Key points: effective for improving balance sheet liquidity; market valuation is critical.

Each structure has pros and cons. We’ll introduce you to specialists who explain which option suits your asset and cashflow objectives. Learn more about equipment finance basics on our equipment finance page.

Eligibility & documents checklist

Funding from our panel typically starts at around £10,000. Requirements vary by lender, but common factors lenders consider include trading history, asset type, projected cashflow and security. Many lenders can consider businesses with imperfect credit histories depending on the case.

Typical documents lenders request:

• Company details and registration number
• Most recent management accounts or business bank statements (usually 3–6 months)
• VAT registration (if applicable)
• Director(s) ID and address verification
• Supplier quote or invoice for the equipment

Start-ups and newer companies may still be eligible — brokers on our panel work with a range of lenders who have different appetite for trading history and security. Free Eligibility Check

Costs, rates & repayment considerations

Rates and fees depend on multiple factors: asset type, whether equipment is new or used, the term, deposit, the business’s financial profile and any security offered. Rather than posting one-size-fits-all rates here, we introduce you to brokers who can compare market offers for your specific circumstances.

What affects cost:

• Asset age and resale value — newer assets usually attract lower costs.
• Business trading performance and credit profile.
• Deposit size — higher deposits reduce finance required and monthly cost.
• Term length and presence of balloon payments or residuals.
• Any additional fees such as documentation or early settlement charges.

Important: Fast Business Loans does not provide quotes — our role is to connect you to brokers and lenders who supply tailored costs and illustrative examples once they have assessed your business. Get Quote Now

Common use cases & client scenarios

Midlands manufacturing firm — CNC press

Pain: outdated machine causing production delays. Solution: introduced to a broker who secured a hire purchase deal with a structured deposit and 4-year term. Outcome: faster production and predictable monthly payments while retaining cash for raw materials.

London restaurant — kitchen upgrade

Pain: seasonal revenue dips made large upfront purchase difficult. Solution: operating lease arranged to include maintenance, keeping monthly costs steady. Outcome: new kit installed ahead of peak season without major cash outlay.

Healthcare clinic — diagnostic equipment

Pain: high-cost specialised device needed quickly. Solution: finance lease with tailored term and end-of-term options. Outcome: clinic expanded service offering, repayments matched expected revenue growth.

Logistics company — fleet renewal

Pain: ageing vans increasing downtime. Solution: sale & leaseback on existing vehicles to release funds and new asset finance for replacements. Outcome: improved cashflow, updated fleet and continuous operations.

These are anonymised examples to show how introducer-led matching helps businesses compare options faster.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly can I be matched after enquiring?

Complete our short enquiry and we will recommend suitable partners. Many brokers or lenders contact leads within a few hours during business days; exact timescales for funding depend on lender processes, asset delivery and any credit or valuation checks.

Does enquiring affect my credit score?

No — submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks only if you proceed with an application and give consent.

What is the minimum or maximum funding available?

Through our panel funding typically starts at around £10,000 and can extend to several million depending on the asset and lender appetite. If you need smaller amounts, tell us and we will try to match you with appropriate providers.

Can businesses with adverse credit be considered?

Yes — some brokers and specialist lenders consider applications from businesses with imperfect credit. The right match depends on the wider financial picture and asset type.

Do I need to provide a personal guarantee?

Some lenders may request personal guarantees or director guarantees depending on the company credit profile and the size of finance. This is a lender decision; when matched, your broker will explain any security requirements.

How does Fast Business Loans make money?

Our service is free for businesses. We are an introducer and receive revenue from partners when an enquiry converts. That revenue does not affect the offers you receive from lenders — brokers and lenders provide their own terms and pricing.

Free Eligibility Check

Next steps & important information

Ready to compare equipment finance options? Complete our short enquiry to get matched with lenders and brokers who specialise in your asset and sector. It takes under two minutes and is free — there’s no obligation to proceed.

Get Your Free Eligibility Check or call our team if you prefer to discuss your needs by phone.

Fast Business Loans introduces businesses to finance partners. We do not lend or offer regulated financial advice. All funding is subject to lender terms, status and affordability checks. Submitting an enquiry does not impact your credit score; any lender checks are taken with your consent. Offers, rates and availability vary across providers — review terms carefully before agreeing.

For sector-specific guides and more on asset structures, you can also review official resources such as the British Business Bank’s guidance on asset finance (external link). british-business-bank.co.uk

– What is equipment finance and who is it for?
Equipment finance lets UK limited companies and SMEs acquire machinery, vehicles or technology via hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease or sale-and-leaseback without paying the full cost upfront.

– How does Fast Business Loans’ free matching service work?
Complete a quick, free eligibility check (an enquiry, not an application) and, as an introducer not a lender, we match you with vetted UK brokers and lenders who contact you with tailored equipment finance options.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—your enquiry with Fast Business Loans won’t affect your credit score; any checks occur later by a chosen lender or broker with your consent.

– How quickly can I be matched and get funded?
Relevant brokers or lenders often respond within a few business hours, while funding timelines depend on due diligence, asset type and delivery schedules.

– What types of equipment can be financed?
Our partners fund manufacturing machinery, construction plant, catering and kitchen kit, medical devices, IT/software, and commercial vehicles and fleets.

– How much can I borrow and over what term?
Facilities typically start from around £10,000 and can reach several million, with terms often 2–5 years depending on the asset, deposit and lender appetite.

– What will equipment finance cost (rates, fees and deposits)?
Costs vary by asset, age, term, deposit and your financial profile, so brokers compare market rates and fees for your case and explain any VAT, documentation or early settlement charges.

– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Expect company details, director ID and address, recent bank statements or management accounts, VAT status (if applicable), and a supplier quote or invoice.

– Can start-ups or businesses with adverse credit get equipment finance?
Yes—specialist lenders on our panel consider start-ups and businesses with imperfect credit based on the overall case, asset quality and projected cash flow.

– Do I need to provide security or a personal guarantee?
Some lenders may request security or a director’s personal guarantee depending on the facility size and company profile, which your matched broker will explain before you proceed.