Asset Finance | Hire Purchase, Leasing & Refinance | £5,000 – £500,000+
Asset finance for UK businesses lets you acquire the vehicles, machinery or technology you need without draining cash reserves — you spread the cost over the working life of the asset instead. We arrange asset finance and equipment finance from £5,000 to £500,000+ for UK limited companies through our specialist lender panel, covering hire purchase, finance and operating leases, and asset refinance on kit you already own. No upfront fees, and decisions in as little as 24 hours.
Whether you're acquiring new assets or unlocking equity from equipment you already own, our FCA-authorised team matches you with the right lender for your sector and asset type.
The short answer
Asset finance lets a UK business acquire equipment, vehicles or machinery by spreading the cost over the asset's working life, or release cash from kit it already owns through refinance. The asset itself normally acts as the lender's security, which is why pricing often compares favourably with unsecured borrowing.
- Common structures
- Hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease and sale-and-HP-back refinance
- Assets funded
- HGVs and commercial vehicles, plant, CNC and manufacturing kit, catering, IT and soft assets
- Amounts
- From £5,000 up to £500,000+ depending on the asset and lender
- Terms
- Typically 12 to 72 months, aligned to the asset life
- Deposit
- Often 0-20%; VAT can usually be funded separately
- Complex credit
- Specialist lenders will consider CCJs and defaults where the asset and affordability support it
Last reviewed: 18 August 2026 by the SME Finance Hub broking team. Editorial policy
Equipment Finance: Funding the Kit That Earns
Equipment finance is asset finance applied to the machinery, tools and technology a business trades with — CNC and manufacturing plant, catering kit, dental and veterinary equipment, printing presses, gym equipment, IT hardware and software. Because the equipment itself normally acts as the lender's security, pricing generally compares well with unsecured borrowing, and approval leans on the asset's resale value as much as on the balance sheet.
Most UK equipment finance is written as hire purchase (you own the asset at the end of the term) or as a lease (you use it, and hand it back or renew). Hire purchase suits kit with a long working life and residual value; leasing suits equipment that dates quickly, such as IT and POS hardware. Terms usually run 12 to 72 months and are matched to how long the asset will realistically earn.
VAT on an equipment purchase can usually be funded separately over 3 months rather than paid up front — see our VAT funding page if that's the sticking point.
Business Asset Finance by Asset Type
Asset finance for business is priced and structured differently depending on what's being funded. Indicative terms our specialist lender panel works to:
| Asset type | Typical structure | Typical term | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial vehicles & HGVs | Hire purchase or finance lease | 36–60 months | 0–10% |
| Plant, machinery & construction | Hire purchase, or refinance on owned kit | 36–72 months | 0–20% |
| Catering & hospitality equipment | Hire purchase or lease | 24–60 months | 0–15% |
| IT, POS & soft assets | Operating or finance lease | 12–36 months | Usually nil |
| Assets already owned (refinance) | Sale and hire purchase back | 24–60 months | N/A — releases cash |
Indicative only. Actual terms, rates and deposits depend on the asset, its age and condition, your trading history and the lender.
What Can You Finance?
From heavy vehicles to high-end software, we fund the assets that drive your business forward.
Hire Purchase & Leasing for Vehicles, Vans & HGVs
Spread the cost of your fleet, from a single delivery van to a full logistical rollout. Perfect for businesses needing to stay mobile without a massive upfront capital outlay. Whether it's an LCV for a local tradesman, an HGV for a haulage firm, or a fleet of company cars, Hire Purchase lets you own the vehicle outright at the end of the agreement while claiming capital allowances along the way.
Funding for Specialized Plant, Machinery & CNC Equipment
Whether it's yellow plant for construction, high-precision CNC machines for manufacturing, or commercial kitchen equipment for hospitality, we fund the 'Hard Assets' that drive your production line. Lenders value these assets highly because of their strong residual value, which often means lower deposits and more competitive rates than unsecured alternatives.
Soft Asset Finance for IT, Software & Studio Fit-outs
Not all assets are heavy metal. We provide funding for 'Soft Assets' like high-end IT systems, specialist software licenses, office furniture, gym equipment, and full studio or salon fit-outs. Leasing is often the best option here, as it avoids ownership of rapidly depreciating technology — you simply upgrade to the latest version when the lease ends.
What You Need to Know Before Applying
The "Earn as You Pay" Philosophy
The smartest way to look at asset finance is 'ROI Alignment.' If a new piece of machinery costs you £1,000 a month in finance but generates £5,000 a month in new revenue, it's not an expense — it's a profit generator. By matching the loan term to the asset's useful lifespan, you ensure the equipment literally pays for itself as it works, leaving your cash reserves for growth. This is why asset finance is often preferable to paying cash upfront — even if you have the funds available.
Unlock the "Hidden Gold" with Asset Refinance
If your business owns vehicles or machinery outright but you're facing a cash-flow squeeze, you're sitting on a goldmine. With Asset Refinance, a lender 'buys' the equipment from you and leases it back. You get an immediate cash injection for your business based on the value of assets you already own. It's often significantly cheaper than an unsecured loan because the asset provides the security. We see this most often with construction firms refinancing plant, and logistics companies unlocking equity in their fleets.
Maximise Your Tax Efficiency with AIA
Don't forget to talk to your accountant about the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA). The current AIA allows businesses to deduct the full cost of qualifying plant and machinery — up to £1 million — from their taxable profits in the first year. Using asset finance to acquire equipment often allows you to claim these capital allowances while still preserving your day-to-day working capital. It's a powerful combination of tax efficiency and cash flow management.
Asset Finance in Action
£12,000 Forklift Funding — Saved from High Fees
How our broker secured a Hire Purchase deal with Close Brothers, saving a logistics client from 5–10% upfront lender fees on unsecured loans.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for our alternative business finance solutions, your business needs to meet these basic criteria
Quick Eligibility Check
UK Registered Company
Your business must be either a limited company, LLP, sole trader or partnership in the UK
Monthly Turnover £10k+
Minimum monthly turnover of £10,000 to qualify for funding
6+ Months Trading
At least 6 months of established trading history required
UK Resident Director
At least one director or shareholder must be a UK resident
Meet the criteria?
If your business meets these requirements, you could be eligible for funding despite bank declines
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Asset Finance Scenarios From the SME Finance Hub Desk
Three illustrative examples of how UK businesses typically use asset finance — across hard plant, refinanced existing equipment, and soft assets like software.
Here's how this type of facility could work for a business in this position. These are illustrative examples, not specific client cases.
New plant for a haulage firm
The type of business
A 12-vehicle haulage operator winning a new long-term contract that required two additional DAF tractor units.
What they needed
£190,000 for two new tractor units, delivered inside 30 days to meet the contract start date.
How it could be structured
5-year hire purchase, VAT funded separately, fixed monthly payments. The units acted as their own security.
Likely outcome
Both units on the road within 28 days. The new contract more than covered the monthly repayments from week one.
Refinance of existing kit for working capital
The type of business
An engineering firm with £450k of unencumbered CNC machinery on the balance sheet and a need for £180k of working capital.
What they needed
£180,000 of working capital, unlocked from kit they already owned, without taking on unsecured debt.
How it could be structured
Sale-and-HP-back across three CNC machines at ~55% LTV. 4-year term, monthly repayments lower than an equivalent unsecured loan.
Likely outcome
Working capital released in 3 weeks. Machinery stayed in continuous use throughout — only the legal ownership changed.
Soft-asset finance for a software rollout
The type of business
A 60-person accountancy practice rolling out a new £85k practice-management software platform with a 3-year licence term.
What they needed
£85,000 to fund the licence and implementation cost over the life of the software, instead of upfront from reserves.
How it could be structured
3-year soft-asset finance lease, matched to the licence term. Monthly payments expensed through the P&L rather than capitalised.
Likely outcome
Software live in 90 days. Cash reserves preserved for client work, with the cost spread over exactly the period the software was used.
Illustrative example. Rates, advance rates and timescales vary by lender and circumstances. For real, completed deals see our client success stories.
Asset finance is often a cost-effective way to fund equipment because the asset itself acts as the lender's primary security — which is why pricing and approval rates commonly compare favourably with unsecured alternatives. Individual terms vary by lender, asset and business profile.
Common Questions About Asset Finance
Ready to Finance Your Next Asset?
Don't let upfront costs hold you back. Apply now and let the equipment pay for itself.