Used van finance for business
Buying a used van for your business makes financial sense - and financing it means you keep your cash working in the business. We arrange used van finance for limited companies and sole traders across the UK.
What is used van finance? Used van finance is a commercial funding agreement for pre-owned vans, typically up to eight to ten years old at the end of the finance term. It provides a cost-effective alternative to buying new, with lenders assessing the vehicle's age, mileage, and service history alongside the business's credit profile. To understand the terminology used by lenders, visit our Van Finance Glossary.
Finance a used van and protect your working capital
A good quality used van can represent excellent value for your business. Rather than tying up capital in an outright purchase, financing a used van means you can spread the cost over a fixed term while the van generates income for the business from day one. (Use our van finance calculator to estimate your monthly payments.)
What are the age and mileage restrictions?
Lenders typically apply age and mileage restrictions to used commercial vehicles. While this varies by lender, a common guideline is:
- The vehicle should be no more than 8-10 years old at the end of the finance term
- Mileage at the point of finance is typically considered alongside the expected mileage at term end
- Specialist or high-value converted vehicles may be assessed differently
We'll always check the specific requirements of our lending panel against your chosen vehicle before we proceed.
Buying from a dealer vs a private seller
Finance is generally more straightforward when buying from a VAT-registered dealer, as the lender pays the dealer directly. Buying from a private seller is possible with some lenders, but it might require additional checks, and the process can take slightly longer (read our full guide on buying a second-hand van on finance). Just let us know your situation when you apply and we'll advise you accordingly. (If your business has adverse credit, read our guide to bad credit van finance).
Finance products available on used vans
The most common product for used van finance is hire purchase - you make fixed monthly payments and own the van outright at the end of the term. Finance lease is also available on used vehicles with some lenders, which can offer lower monthly payments if you don't need to own the vehicle at the end. (Not sure which is right for you? Read our guide on hire purchase vs finance lease).
Can I finance a van I already own?
If you already own a van outright, refinancing it might allow you to release working capital back into your business. This is known as asset refinance or sale and leaseback. Give us a call on 01730 777 736 to discuss whether this might be suitable for your situation.
Why use a specialist broker instead of a van dealer?
When you walk into a dealership, the salesperson's priority is selling the van. The finance they offer is just a tool to get the deal over the line. Dealers typically work with one or two lenders, and those lenders often focus on personal finance rather than commercial funding. This means they struggle to help new businesses, limited companies without years of accounts, or directors with a poor credit history.
Furthermore, dealer finance rarely offers commercial flexibility like VAT deferral, which allows you to defer paying the upfront VAT on a hire purchase agreement until the end of your VAT quarter. Because their lender pool is so restricted, dealer finance is often more expensive than what a specialist commercial broker can source from the wider market.
We work with over 100 UK lenders. This means we match your business to the right funder, rather than just the one that happens to be on the dealer's system.
Ready to finance a used van?
Tell us about the van you're looking at and we'll come back to you with the most suitable options from our lending panel.
Popular van makes we finance
We arrange finance for all major van makes and models. Don't see yours? Call us on 01730 777 736.
How used van finance works
Apply online
Tell us about your business, the used van you're looking at, and the amount you need to finance. Takes about 2 minutes.
We review your application
A specialist reviews your application, contacts you to discuss your requirements, and identifies the most suitable lenders for your business profile.
We present your options
We present the finance options to you. Once you're happy, we contact the dealer to arrange the invoice. No obligation to proceed and no hard credit searches until you're ready.
Funds released to the dealer
Once approved and you've signed your documents, funds are released directly to the dealer or seller, so you can take delivery of your used van.
Limited company
We arrange used van finance for UK limited companies from £10,000. No minimum trading history required with some lenders - we work with funders who consider new start companies.
From £10,000Sole trader
We arrange used van finance for sole traders on unregulated credit agreements. Please note that sole trader finance is available from £25,000.
From £25,000 - unregulated agreementsApply for used van finance
Complete the form below and a specialist will be in touch, usually within one business day.
If you'd prefer to call: 01730 777 736