Equipment finance for manufacturers — CNC machines, robotics & heavy kit
Short answer: Yes — UK manufacturers commonly secure machinery financing (including CNC centres, robotic cells and heavy plant) through business loan and asset finance routes. UK Business Loans helps you compare options, from hire purchase and finance leases to vendor and chattel mortgage arrangements, by matching your business to specialist lenders and brokers. Our quick enquiry is free, won’t affect your credit score and helps lenders give the right quote fast. Get a Free Eligibility Check
Can manufacturers get finance for CNC machines, robotics and other plant?
Yes — manufacturers routinely secure finance for machinery, from single CNC lathes to multi-station robotic production lines and heavy tooling. Typical funding routes include asset finance (hire purchase and leases), chattel mortgages and commercial loans secured against equipment. Funding is commonly used to upgrade technology, increase automation, expand capacity or replace ageing assets.
Finance is available for both new and used equipment, although terms depend on the asset’s age, expected economic life and the lender’s appetite. If you want to proceed, start with a quick, no-obligation enquiry so we can match your business to lenders who specialise in manufacturing and industrial equipment: Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.
How equipment finance for manufacturing works
Equipment finance lets you acquire machinery while spreading the cost. The structure you choose affects ownership, accounting treatment, VAT and upgrade flexibility. Common options include:
Key options explained
- Hire purchase (HP) — you buy the equipment and pay in instalments; ownership typically transfers after the final payment.
- Finance lease — the lender owns the asset; you pay for its use and often have an option to buy, return or upgrade at the end.
- Operating lease — rental-style agreement where the asset may not appear on your balance sheet (suitable for short-term use or fast-changing tech).
- Chattel mortgage — a loan secured against the equipment. You own the asset while the lender holds a legal charge.
- Vendor / supplier finance — financing arranged by the equipment supplier, sometimes with competitive packages for new machinery.
Typical terms, deposits and advance rates
- Deposit / initial payment: commonly 0–20% (higher for older or specialist used assets).
- Advance rate: lenders typically finance 80–100% of the asset cost depending on age and type.
- Terms: often 12–84 months; some lenders offer longer terms for large-capex robotics programmes.
- Minimum deals: UK Business Loans typically handles enquiries from around £10,000 upwards.
If you have supplier quotes and equipment specs ready, lenders can produce faster, more accurate offers. When you’re ready, complete a short enquiry to compare tailored options: Free Eligibility Check.
What lenders look for when financing machinery
Lenders and brokers evaluate the business and the asset. Typical criteria include:
- Business trading history, accounts and cashflow projections.
- Asset details — make, model, age, expected useful life and depreciation.
- Supplier credibility and installation/commissioning plans.
- Maintenance records or service plans (important for used machinery).
- Security — where the machinery will be stored and whether it can be repossessed if needed.
- Credit profile and whether directors will provide guarantees.
Practical tips to improve approval chances:
- Obtain a detailed supplier pro-forma quote (itemised with VAT if applicable).
- Provide recent management accounts and cashflow forecasts.
- Document maintenance history for used equipment and include photos.
- Be ready to explain how the asset will increase revenue or efficiency.
Need help preparing documents? Our introducer service can match you to brokers who specialise in manufacturing equipment and can advise on structuring the deal: Compare Equipment Finance Quotes — Start Your Enquiry.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Typical finance costs and examples
Costs vary by asset value, credit profile, deposit and term. Rates are set by lenders and are illustrative only — final terms will come from the lending partner you choose.
Cost drivers
- Asset condition (new vs used).
- Loan term and deposit.
- Business creditworthiness and sector risk.
- Residual value assumptions for leases.
Illustrative examples
- New 5-axis CNC centre — equipment cost £80,000. Hire purchase over 60 months may be arranged with a c.10–20% deposit and monthly payments dependent on lender pricing (representative examples available from lenders).
- Robotic cell supplied via finance lease — lower upfront cost, potential to treat VAT differently depending on lease type and whether the business is VAT-registered.
These examples are for illustration. UK Business Loans introduces you to brokers and lenders who will provide tailored representative examples and full cost breakdowns. Submitting an enquiry does not commit you and will not affect your credit score.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Advantages of financing vs cash purchase
- Preserve working capital for operations and growth.
- Spread the cost so upgrades to automation don’t stall cashflow.
- Potential tax and accounting benefits (capital allowances, leasing treatment) — check with your accountant.
- Access to newer technology and managed upgrade paths to avoid obsolescence.
Ready to compare finance options for your next machine? Get a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll connect you to specialist providers.
Common questions manufacturers ask (quick answers)
Can new manufacturers or companies with limited trading history get machinery finance?
Yes — specialist lenders and vendor finance schemes can support newer businesses, though terms may require larger deposits, shorter terms or director guarantees.
Can I finance used CNC machines or refurbished robots?
Yes. Many funders specialise in used equipment finance. Lenders assess age, condition and remaining economic life — so good documentation and maintenance history help.
Will an enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Submitting a short enquiry via UK Business Loans is an information request and does not impact your credit file. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you proceed with an application.
How quickly can I get finance?
For straightforward deals with complete supplier quotes, you can often receive offers within 24–72 hours. Complex or high-value transactions can take several weeks.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
How UK Business Loans helps
We are an introducer that connects UK manufacturers with lenders and brokers who specialise in equipment and asset finance. Our service is:
- Free and without obligation to businesses.
- Designed to match you with partners who understand industrial and manufacturing needs.
- Quick — our short enquiry takes around 2 minutes and speeds up the quoting process.
When you submit an enquiry we share the information with selected lenders/brokers so they can provide tailored quotes. This is an introduction only — we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.
For more background on types of funding for plant and machinery, you may find our detailed guide on equipment finance helpful.
Practical checklist before you enquire
- Supplier pro-forma quote (itemised, include VAT if applicable).
- Equipment specification (manufacturer, model, serial number if second‑hand).
- Recent management accounts or company accounts and bank statements.
- Cashflow forecast showing affordability.
- Maintenance history or service agreement for used kit.
- Site location and installation plan.
Tip: Having a supplier pro-forma and photos ready usually speeds up lender decisions.
Next steps & call to action
Ready to explore finance for your CNC, robot cell or other manufacturing equipment? Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you with the right lenders or brokers. It’s free, quick and without obligation — and submitting an enquiry won’t affect your credit score.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
If you prefer to browse other funding options first, see our pages on asset finance and business loans for more detail.
We are not a lender — we introduce businesses to lenders and brokers. Using our service does not commit you to a finance agreement.
1. Can manufacturers get finance for CNC machines, robotic cells and heavy plant?
Yes — UK manufacturers routinely secure equipment finance (hire purchase, finance leases, chattel mortgages and vendor/vendor finance) for new and used CNCs, robots and heavy kit.
2. What types of equipment finance can I use to buy machinery?
Common options include hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases, chattel mortgages and supplier/vendor finance, each with different ownership, VAT and accounting effects.
3. Can I finance used or refurbished machinery?
Yes — many lenders specialise in used equipment finance but terms depend on the asset’s age, condition, documentation and remaining economic life.
4. How much of the equipment cost will lenders typically fund and is there a minimum deal size?
Lenders often finance 80–100% of the asset value (with deposits commonly 0–20% depending on age/type) and UK Business Loans handles enquiries from around £10,000 upwards.
5. How quickly can I get a quote or funding for machinery?
For straightforward deals with a supplier pro‑forma and supporting documents, lenders or brokers we introduce can often provide quotes within 24–72 hours, while funding for complex transactions can take several weeks.
6. Will submitting an enquiry affect my personal or business credit score?
No — submitting a free eligibility enquiry through UK Business Loans does not affect your credit score, although lenders may perform credit checks later if you progress an application.
7. What do lenders and brokers look for when assessing machinery finance applications?
They typically review trading history and accounts, asset make/model/age, supplier credibility, maintenance records, site security, cashflow forecasts and the business’s credit profile.
8. How is VAT treated on equipment finance?
VAT treatment varies by product — for example VAT is often payable upfront on hire purchase but charged on rental instalments for some leases — so confirm specifics with your lender or accountant.
9. Will I need to give a personal guarantee or other security?
Possibly — depending on your company’s creditworthiness, deal size and lender appetite, lenders may request director guarantees or take a legal charge over the equipment or other assets.
10. What documents should I prepare before starting an equipment finance enquiry?
Prepare a supplier pro‑forma quote, equipment specifications (make/model/serial for used kit), recent accounts and bank statements, a cashflow forecast, maintenance history and site/installation details to speed up accurate quotes.