Can vehicle finance include racking, refrigeration units, livery or telematics?

Summary (short answer): Yes — vehicle finance and related asset finance commonly include add‑ons such as racking, refrigeration units, vehicle livery and telematics hardware. Inclusion depends on lender policy, whether the item is permanently fitted or OEM, the item’s value, documentation (invoices, installation/warranty), and VAT/tax treatment. UK Business Loans connects you to lenders and brokers who can advise and match your requirement — we introduce businesses to finance partners (we are not a lender). Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Quick answer (summary)

• Commonly financed: racking, refrigeration, telematics hardware and — sometimes — livery, when value and permanence justify inclusion.
• Main constraints: OEM vs aftermarket, permanence (bolted vs removable), quality/age, clear invoices and warranties, and lender appetite.
• Tip: supply supplier/installer invoices, photos and warranties to improve acceptance.

What is vehicle & asset finance?

Vehicle finance covers funding for vans, trucks and fleets — either through hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease or asset finance arrangements. Asset finance more broadly funds equipment and attachments that support your business operations.

How add‑ons are handled varies: some lenders treat significant, permanently fitted equipment as part of the vehicle’s financed cost; others prefer an equipment or chattel finance agreement that sits alongside the vehicle contract.

Lender types include specialist asset finance houses, commercial banks, manufacturer finance arms and brokers. Brokers can help present packages appropriately to the lenders most likely to accept specified add‑ons.

Which vehicle add-ons are commonly financed?

Below we cover the four most common additions: racking, refrigeration units, livery and telematics — and what lenders typically require.

Racking (trades vehicles / vans)

Vehicle racking for trades vans (aluminium or steel shelving and partitions) is frequently financed.

How lenders treat racking:

• If racking is fitted by the dealer at point of sale or classed as part of the vehicle invoice, many lenders will include it in the vehicle finance amount.
• Aftermarket fitments can still be financed but lenders usually want a separate supplier invoice showing installation and warranty, and evidence the racking is permanently fixed (bolted or riveted).

Practical tips:

• Get a full supplier invoice clearly breaking down parts and installation.
• Take photos showing how the racking is fixed to the vehicle and the product serial numbers.
• Keep warranty and installation certificates; lenders like recoverable collateral where possible.

Risks: racking has limited resale value so some lenders increase margins or insist on separate equipment finance terms.

Refrigeration units (reefers)

Refrigeration units are higher‑value fitments commonly used on light commercials and rigids. Many lenders will finance refrigeration units when:

• They’re OEM‑fitted or professionally retrofitted with documented installation;
• The supplier provides a warranty and service history;
• The overall financed package is material (remember UK Business Loans typically arranges finance from about £10,000 upwards).

What lenders check:

• Unit make and model, age and service record;
• Installation quality and whether the unit is easily removed (permanence);
• Temperature control logs for specialist refrigerated operations may add comfort.

Practical tips:

• Supply the refrigeration supplier invoice and installer’s certificate.
• Provide recent service records and details of any manufacturer or supplier warranty.
• Confirm how the refrigeration unit affects vehicle weight / payload — lenders consider vehicle usability.

Livery / vehicle graphics (signwriting, wraps)

Vehicle livery and full wraps are usually lower value and often treated as operational expenditure. Livery can be included in finance where:

• The cost is significant relative to the overall financed amount;
• The artwork/fitment is permanent (not magnetic strips);
• There is a clear invoice and expected useful life stated by the supplier.

Practical tips:

• If livery is a small cost, paying upfront may be cheaper than including it in the finance.
• Provide before/after photos and supplier invoice if you want lenders to consider it.

Telematics (fleet tracking & cameras)

Telematics hardware (tracking units, dash cams) is increasingly financeable. Typical approaches:

• Capitalise and include the hardware cost in the finance;
• Finance the hardware separately under equipment finance;
• Subscription costs for data/service are usually operational (OPEX) and not capitalised, though supplier finance options can cover subscription bundles in some cases.

What lenders want to know:

• Who owns the hardware (you or the provider);
• Whether there is an ongoing subscription and how it will be paid;
• Provider reputation and any transferability of the hardware at resale.

Practical tips:

• Include hardware invoices, installation certificates and supplier terms.
• Clarify whether subscription fees are monthly and who is liable if the vehicle is sold.

How lenders decide whether to include add-ons (criteria)

Lenders use consistent commercial criteria when deciding whether to include add‑ons in a vehicle finance package:

• Asset value & materiality: Is the add‑on a meaningful percentage of the financed amount?
• Permanence: Permanently fixed items are easier to accept than removable kit.
• Resale value / recoverability: Can the add‑on be recovered at repossession or resale?
• Documentation: Supplier/installer invoices, serial numbers, photos and warranties.
• Age & mileage: Older vehicles or worn equipment reduce lender appetite.
• Security type: Different agreements (hire purchase, finance lease, chattel mortgage) affect inclusion.

Different lenders have different appetites — specialist asset finance providers typically have higher acceptance for aftermarket fitments than mainstream banks. A broker can match your case to the lender most likely to accept your particular add‑on.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

We typically match enquiries to lenders who can respond within hours.

VAT, tax & accounting considerations

VAT and tax treatment can change depending on whether the add‑on is capitalised or treated as an operating expense:

• VAT recovery: If your business is VAT‑registered and the add‑on is used for business, you may reclaim VAT — check HMRC guidance for partial business use.
• Capital allowances: Capitalised items may qualify for capital allowances; operating leases and subscriptions usually do not.
• Accounting impact: Including an add‑on in finance increases the capitalised asset and monthly repayments — speak with your accountant to understand P&L and balance sheet effects.

For VAT details see HMRC VAT guidance and for capital allowances see HMRC capital allowances pages.

Practical steps to get the best chance of inclusion

Checklist to present to a lender or broker:

• Clear supplier and installer invoices showing parts and labour.
• Photos of the fitted item (serial numbers if present).
• Warranty and service records (especially for refrigeration units).
• Proof the add‑on is permanently fitted (bolts, rivets, vendor certificate).
• Business use justification and details of mileage/age of the vehicle.
• Quotes for both vehicle and equipment if seeking separate finance.

Tip: present the package both as a combined vehicle + add‑on request and as two separate finance requests — some lenders prefer one route over the other.

Pros & cons of including add‑ons in finance

Pros:

• Spread the cost and preserve working capital.
• Single payment for vehicle and equipment in many cases.
• Simpler budgeting and cashflow management.

Cons:

• Higher overall interest cost (you pay interest on add‑on value).
• Potentially higher lender margin for aftermarket items.
• May complicate resale and VAT recovery if not documented properly.

Alternatives if a lender won’t include the add-on

Options if inclusion is refused:

• Equipment finance (separate chattel mortgage or finance lease) for the add‑on.
• Unsecured business loan if asset value is low and you prefer simplicity.
• Supplier finance or staged payments (often available for telematics subscriptions).
• Paying small items (like livery) upfront if cost is minor compared with total loan.

How UK Business Loans helps

UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses to lenders and brokers who arrange vehicle finance and equipment funding (from around £10,000 and up). We don’t lend — we match your enquiry to partners who understand vans, reefers, fleet upgrades and trade conversions.

How it works:

1. Complete a short enquiry form — it’s not an application and does not affect your credit score.
2. We match your case to suitable lenders and brokers who may contact you with quotes.
3. Compare offers and decide — no obligation to proceed.

Privacy & data use: we only share your details with selected lenders and brokers who may contact you about your enquiry. Start your Free Eligibility Check.

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance a fridge fitted after I bought the van?

Often yes — if you can provide the installer’s invoice, warranty and proof the unit is permanently fitted. Some lenders ask that refrigeration be financed separately under equipment finance.

Do lenders accept telematics subscription costs?

Subscription (monthly SaaS) is typically OPEX and not capitalised; however the hardware can often be financed. Some suppliers offer finance packages that bundle hardware and subscription — check both lender and supplier options.

Will including livery increase my monthly payment?

Yes — adding livery to the financed amount increases repayments proportionally. For small livery costs, it may be cheaper to pay upfront.

Does financing add-ons affect VAT recovery?

Potentially. VAT recovery depends on who purchases the item, how it’s used and accounting treatment. Speak to your accountant or HMRC guidance to be certain.

Which lenders are more likely to accept aftermarket fitments?

Specialist asset finance houses and niche vehicle lenders typically have more flexible policies than mainstream banks. A broker can identify the best match.

How long does it take to get a quote?

Once you submit an enquiry we usually get responses within hours during business times; full offers depend on lender checks and documentation.

Will a finance enquiry affect my credit score?

Submitting an initial enquiry via UK Business Loans is not a credit application and does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform checks later if you proceed.

Final call to action

Want to include racking, a reefer, full livery or telematics in your next vehicle finance package? Submit a short enquiry and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector. Free, no obligation and often a fast response.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

We connect businesses to the best finance partners — enquiries typically answered within hours.

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Written by: UK Business Loans Content Team — finance content specialist

About the author: UK Business Loans connects UK businesses to trusted lenders and brokers across vehicle, asset and equipment finance. We specialise in matching fleet and commercial vehicle funding requirements from approximately £10,000 upwards.

Sources & further reading

• HMRC: VAT on businesses
• HMRC: Capital allowances
• FCA: Financial promotion rules

Images (suggested)

• van-racking-installed.jpg — alt: “Trades van showing aluminium interior racking fitted”
• refrigerated-truck.jpg — alt: “Light commercial vehicle fitted with a refrigeration unit”
• telematics-device.jpg — alt: “Telematics tracking device and fleet dashboard screenshot”

For broader vehicle funding options including vans, trucks and fleet solutions see our vehicle finance guidance: vehicle finance.

1. Can vehicle finance include racking, refrigeration units, livery or telematics?
Yes — many vehicle and asset finance deals can include permanently fitted racking, reefers, vehicle livery and telematics hardware, subject to lender policy, value, documentation and permanence.

2. What documents do lenders need to include aftermarket fitments in vehicle finance?
Lenders typically require supplier/installer invoices, installation certificates or photos showing permanent fixings, serial numbers/warranties and proof of business use.

3. Will financing add‑ons like a fridge or full wrap affect my VAT recovery or tax position?
Possibly — VAT recovery and capital allowance treatment depend on whether the add‑on is capitalised or treated as an operating cost, so check HMRC guidance or your accountant.

4. Can I finance telematics subscriptions as part of vehicle finance?
Usually only the telematics hardware is capitalisable and financeable, while ongoing subscription fees are treated as OPEX unless a supplier offers a bundled finance package.

5. Which types of finance most commonly include vehicle add‑ons (hire purchase, finance lease etc)?
Hire purchase, finance leases and specialist asset finance arrangements are commonly used to capitalise vehicle add‑ons, though some lenders prefer separate equipment finance for high‑value fitments.

6. Which lenders are most likely to accept aftermarket fitments and conversions?
Specialist asset finance houses, niche vehicle lenders and manufacturer finance arms tend to be more flexible than mainstream banks, and a broker can help match you to the right provider.

7. How long does it take to get quotes for vehicle plus add‑on finance via UK Business Loans?
After you submit an enquiry you’ll typically receive responses from matched lenders or brokers within hours during business times, with formal offers depending on document checks.

8. Will submitting an enquiry with UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — the UK Business Loans enquiry is not a credit application and does not affect your credit score, although lenders may run checks later if you proceed.

9. What are my options if a lender won’t include an add‑on in the vehicle finance?
Alternatives include separate equipment finance or chattel mortgages, unsecured business loans, supplier finance for subscriptions, or paying small items like livery upfront.

10. Is there a minimum amount for vehicle and add‑on finance I should expect?
UK Business Loans typically arranges vehicle and asset finance from around £10,000 upwards, though exact minimums vary by lender and product.