What is asset finance?
Asset finance allows businesses to acquire the equipment, vehicles or machinery they need by spreading the cost over time — rather than paying a large upfront capital outlay. The asset itself typically serves as security for the funding.
Hire Purchase (HP)
You pay in instalments and own the asset outright at the end of the agreement. The asset appears on your balance sheet.
Finance Lease
You use the asset for its working life and pay instalments. At the end, you can extend the lease, return it, or sell it and keep most of the proceeds.
Operating Lease
Lower monthly payments. You use the asset for a fixed term and return it at the end. Suitable when you want to avoid ownership risk.
Sale & Leaseback
Sell an asset you already own to a finance company and lease it back. Releases capital while retaining use of the asset.
What assets can be funded?
Asset finance covers a very wide range of business assets including: commercial vehicles and HGVs, construction plant and machinery, agricultural equipment, manufacturing machinery, restaurant and catering equipment, IT and technology equipment, and medical and dental equipment.
Sale and leaseback can be particularly useful for businesses with adverse credit — you unlock equity from assets you already own, releasing capital without additional debt or property security.
Can I get asset finance with a CCJ or bad credit?
Yes. Because the asset itself is the primary security, many asset finance lenders are more flexible on credit history than unsecured lenders. The age and condition of the asset, the deposit amount, and your business trading history are all factored into the assessment alongside your credit profile.