Is it possible to secure vehicle financing that includes maintenance for my vans and fleet?
Quick answer — in one sentence
Yes. Many UK lenders and specialist brokers offer van and fleet finance that bundles scheduled maintenance, MOTs, tyres and breakdown cover into a single predictable monthly payment — often called full-service leasing, contract hire or managed fleet agreements. For building services firms that rely on vans to deliver work, these packages cut unexpected repair bills and protect vehicle uptime.
This page explains the main product types, what’s typically included and excluded, how pricing works, what lenders will ask for and how UK Business Loans can match your building services business to brokers and lenders that specialise in fleets. Submitting an enquiry is free and won’t affect your credit score.
Get a free eligibility check — Get Quote Now
Important: UK Business Loans is an introducer — we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. We match your enquiry with lenders and brokers who can quote for maintenance-included vehicle finance. All offers are subject to lender checks and terms.
What “finance with maintenance” means
“Finance with maintenance” is an arrangement where the cost of vehicle use and upkeep is combined with the finance payment. Instead of separate invoices for servicing or emergency repairs, many firms prefer a single monthly charge that covers both access to vehicles and their running upkeep.
Typical inclusions (varies by contract):
- Routine servicing and scheduled maintenance
- MOTs and replacement tyres
- Roadside assistance and recovery
- Accident repairs and claims management (optional)
- Replacement or courtesy vehicles while yours are off the road
- Fleet management reporting and a dedicated account manager (for larger fleets)
Common exclusions (check each quote): fuel, motor insurance, driver fines, personal items and damage outside normal wear-and-tear. Some contracts restrict who can perform repairs (approved dealers only) — read the service schedule closely.
Typical finance products that include maintenance
Full-service leasing / Contract hire
Structure: You rent vehicles for a fixed term (typically 24–60 months). The fleet provider owns the vehicles. Maintenance, MOTs and breakdown cover are included in the monthly rental.
Pros: Predictable monthly cost, no residual risk, strong uptime for jobs. Cons: Mileage limits and end-of-term charges for excess wear.
Lease purchase with maintenance add-on
Structure: Lease payments cover the vehicle with an option to purchase at the end (balloon payment). Maintenance can be bundled into the monthly payment.
Pros: Option to own at term end; good for businesses that want eventual ownership. Cons: Higher monthly payments than plain hire purchase when maintenance is included.
Hire purchase + service packages
Structure: You buy the vehicles over time. Maintenance is arranged via separate service agreements; some lenders will package the service cost into the overall payment.
Pros: Ownership at the end of term. Cons: Typically higher immediate costs and separate contract administration unless bundled.
Asset finance with maintenance bundle
Structure: Specialist asset finance lenders sometimes allow a single monthly payment that covers finance and an agreed maintenance schedule. This is useful for tailored or non-standard fleets.
Pros: Flexibility for mixed or specialist vehicles. Cons: Fewer lenders offer full bundles; pricing varies.
Managed fleet agreements via brokers
Structure: A fleet management company organises procurement, maintenance and reporting. Finance may be handled through their lender panel and presented as a single cost per vehicle.
Pros: Outsourced admin and strong fleet reporting. Cons: Service levels and garage networks differ — check SLAs.
Typical terms and features across products:
- Term lengths: usually 24–60 months
- Deposits: some deals require a deposit or initial rental
- Mileage limits: set per vehicle — excess mileage charges apply
- End-of-term obligations: inspection, return conditions, option to purchase (if applicable)
Why building services businesses choose maintenance-included finance
For trades such as electricians, plumbers, HVAC and roofing, van uptime equals billable hours. Here’s why maintenance-included finance is attractive:
- Predictable monthly cost helps cashflow planning and bidding on jobs.
- Reduced downtime — faster repairs and replacement vehicles keep crews on-site.
- Lower admin: one invoice and one partner managing servicing and repairs.
- Better safety and compliance — scheduled servicing reduces on-site failure risk.
Example (typical): a five-van plumbing contractor moved to full-service lease and reduced unplanned repair days by half, which increased billable hours and simplified invoicing.
Costs & what affects pricing
Monthly charges for maintenance-included finance are influenced by:
- Vehicle model, age and specification (diesel, electric, payload, fit-outs)
- Level of maintenance cover (basic servicing vs all-inclusive repairs and replacement vehicles)
- Fleet size (volume discounts often apply)
- Contract length and agreed mileage
- Driver profiles and business credit history
- Whether OEM (franchised dealer) or independent garages are used
Trade-offs: you’ll usually pay more per month than a basic finance-only contract, but you reduce the risk of large, unexpected repair bills and lost revenue from vehicle downtime.
Eligibility and documentation lenders typically ask for
Most mainstream lenders and fleet providers will want to confirm your business profile. Common requirements include:
- Company type: limited companies, LLPs and incorporated businesses (noting: UK Business Loans does not arrange sole trader-only deals)
- Recent business bank statements (typically 3–6 months)
- Company accounts / management accounts (1–3 years where available)
- VAT returns and recent invoices showing trading activity
- Director ID and proof of address
- Details on vehicle usage: number of vans, average monthly mileage and whether vehicles carry tools or hazardous materials
Start-ups or businesses with limited trading history may still access specialist panels — expect different terms such as larger deposits or shorter contract approvals.
Questions to ask lenders and brokers before signing
Use this checklist when comparing quotes — get responses in writing:
- Exactly what’s included? (tyres, MOT, breakdown, replacement vehicle)
- Who can carry out repairs — approved dealers only or any qualified garage?
- What are the mileage limits and excess charges?
- How is wear-and-tear measured? What are end-of-term charges?
- Who arranges emergency roadside repairs at job sites?
- Is insurance or fuel included (usually not, but sometimes optional)?
- Do I have a dedicated account manager and what are SLAs for repair turnaround?
Keep the answers in writing so you can directly compare providers.
How UK Business Loans helps (simple 4-step process)
- Complete a short enquiry telling us about your business, the number and type of vans, and required inclusions.
- We match your request to specialist brokers and lenders who understand building services fleets.
- Providers contact you with tailored quotes and service details.
- Compare the quotes, choose the best fit and proceed directly with the provider — no obligation.
We focus on matching building services businesses to lenders that understand your sector so you avoid irrelevant offers. If you want industry-specific finance for trades, see our dedicated building services information on our building services business loans page for more sector-focused guidance.
Get a free eligibility check — Get Quote Now (no obligation, no impact on credit score).
Practical tips to get a better deal
- Forecast mileage accurately — underestimating drives penalties; overestimating increases cost.
- Bundle multiple vehicles to secure volume discounts.
- Consider OEM service packages if vehicles are new and warranty-sensitive.
- Keep driver records and safety training up-to-date — safer fleets often secure better terms.
- Use a broker (through an introducer like UK Business Loans) to shop across lenders quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I include tyres and breakdown cover in my finance?
Yes — many full-service leasing and contract hire packages include tyres, MOTs and breakdown cover. Always check for limits (e.g. tyre allowance) and whether replacement vehicles are provided.
Will maintenance-included deals cost more than standard finance?
Typically the monthly cost is higher than a finance-only arrangement, but they reduce total cost of ownership by avoiding large, unexpected bills and minimising downtime.
Can I add new vans mid-contract?
Yes — many fleet agreements allow additions and amendments mid-term. Confirm whether pricing is pro-rata and if reinstatement or admin fees apply.
Do maintenance-included contracts restrict who can repair the vehicles?
Some contracts require franchised or approved garages; others allow independent workshops with approval. Choose a provider that balances quality, cost and response time for your job locations.
Will making an enquiry affect my credit score?
Submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform credit checks only if you proceed with an application.
Next steps — get a free eligibility check
Ready to see real quotes for maintenance-included vehicle finance for your fleet? Click below and complete our short enquiry — it takes under two minutes. We’ll match you to specialist brokers and lenders who serve building services fleets and typically respond quickly.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
Have information ready: company name, contact, number of vans, average monthly mileage and preferred inclusions (tyres, breakdown, replacement vehicles). Lenders often respond within hours.
Legal & financial promotion compliance
UK Business Loans is an introducer — not a lender or financial adviser. We connect your enquiry to lenders and brokers who can provide vehicle finance quotes. Information on this page is for guidance only. All finance is subject to eligibility, lender terms and credit checks. Submitting an enquiry is free and won’t affect your credit score. No approvals or pricing are guaranteed.
1. What is maintenance‑included van and fleet finance?
Maintenance‑included van and fleet finance (often called full‑service leasing or managed fleet agreements) bundles your vehicle rental or lease payments with scheduled servicing, MOTs, tyres, breakdown cover and sometimes accident repairs and replacement vehicles into a single predictable monthly fee.
2. How does full‑service leasing / contract hire work?
With full‑service leasing the provider owns the vehicles, you pay fixed monthly rentals for a set term (usually 24–60 months), and the fleet company arranges maintenance, MOTs and roadside assistance subject to agreed mileage and wear limits.
3. Will maintenance‑included deals cost more than finance‑only agreements?
Yes — monthly payments are typically higher than basic finance because they cover service costs, but they can reduce total cost of ownership by avoiding large unexpected repair bills and minimising vehicle downtime.
4. Can I add new vans or change my fleet mid‑contract?
Many fleet agreements allow additions and amendments part‑way through the contract with pro‑rata pricing and possible admin fees, but you should confirm the provider’s exact process and charges before committing.
5. What maintenance items are typically included and excluded?
Typical inclusions are routine servicing, MOTs, tyre replacement, roadside assistance and optional accident repairs or courtesy vehicles, while fuel, motor insurance, driver fines and personal items are usually excluded.
6. Do maintenance contracts restrict which garages can repair my vans?
Some contracts require franchised or approved dealers while others permit independent garages with prior approval, so check the service network, SLA for emergency repairs and any mileage or parts restrictions in writing.
7. What documentation do lenders and brokers usually ask for?
Providers commonly request company registration details, 3–6 months of business bank statements, company or management accounts, VAT returns, director ID/proof of address and vehicle usage details such as average monthly mileage and payloads.
8. Can start‑ups or businesses with poor credit get maintenance‑included fleet finance?
Yes — specialist lenders and broker panels often support start‑ups and imperfect credit cases, though expect different terms such as larger deposits, higher rates or shorter contract lengths depending on risk.
9. Is UK Business Loans a lender or does submitting an enquiry commit me to anything?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects you to FCA‑regulated brokers and lenders, does not lend or provide regulated financial advice, and submitting an enquiry is free, no obligation and won’t by itself affect your credit score.
10. How quickly will I get quotes after completing a free eligibility check?
After you submit a free eligibility check via UK Business Loans you’ll typically be matched to specialist brokers and lenders who often respond within hours with tailored quotes and service details.
