Fast working capital loans for couriers & last‑mile delivery fleets

Summary — TL;DR

Yes. Fast working capital is available to courier businesses and last‑mile fleets through a range of products — most commonly invoice finance, merchant cash advances, short‑term loans and vehicle/asset finance. Funding can often be arranged from the same day to a few days depending on product, documentation and lender. If you need a quick, no‑obligation check of options and likely speed for sums from around £10,000 upwards, complete a free eligibility check to get matched with specialist lenders and brokers: Get Quote Now — Free eligibility check.

Why couriers & last‑mile fleets need fast working capital

Courier and last‑mile operators run on tight margins and highly variable costs. Unexpected bills or peaks in demand can quickly create cash‑flow gaps. Common triggers for short‑term funding needs include:

• Fuel price spikes and variable fuel cost management
• Seasonal peaks (peak shopping seasons, one‑off contracts)
• Driver wages, agency driver costs or overtime payments
• Vehicle repairs, MOTs and unexpected downtime
• Rapid fleet expansion or replacement of vans/trucks
• Large invoices waiting to be paid by major retailers or marketplaces

Quick access to working capital keeps vehicles moving, crews paid and contracts fulfilled — avoiding costly service failures and damaged client relationships.

Types of fast working capital available

Below are the most relevant products for courier and last‑mile businesses, with expected speed, pros and cons and typical funding ranges.

Invoice finance / factoring

What it is: Lenders advance a percentage of unpaid invoices so you can access cash tied up in B2B invoices.

Speed: Set‑up usually takes a few days; once live, advances can be same‑day on submitted invoices.

Pros: Ideal if you invoice supermarkets, retailers or logistic platforms — predictable advance rates; scales with sales.

Cons: Fees apply (factor fee + service charges); some contracts require control over collections.

Typical range: From ~£10,000 up to several hundred thousand pounds depending on turnover and invoice book quality.

Merchant cash advance / turnover finance

What it is: A lump sum advanced against future card or payment receipts; repayments taken as a percentage of daily takings.

Speed: Very fast — often 24–48 hours from agreement to funds.

Pros: Quick access to cash, flexible repayments (linked to takings), minimal security in many cases.

Cons: Can be expensive over time; best for short‑term needs where rapid cash is critical.

Typical range: Commonly £10k–£250k+

Short‑term business loans (unsecured & secured)

What it is: Fixed‑term loans to cover cash flow, with fixed or variable repayments.

Speed: Next‑day to one week depending on lender and documentation.

Pros: Clear repayment schedule and known costs; can be unsecured or secured to assets.

Cons: Lenders assess credit and trading history closely; may require director guarantees or security for larger amounts.

Typical range: £10,000 to £500,000+ depending on security and business size.

Business overdraft & invoice discounting

What it is: Flexible facilities that let you dip into credit as needed (overdraft) or advance against invoices without the factor collecting invoices (invoice discounting).

Speed: Depends on bank/partner but can be arranged in days if relationship exists.

Pros: Flexibility — pay interest only on what you use.

Cons: Often requires established banking relationships and security for larger limits.

Asset & vehicle finance / fleet refinance

What it is: Finance for purchasing or refinancing vans, trucks and equipment — hire purchase, lease, or sale‑and‑leaseback.

Speed: 3–10 business days typically.

Pros: Frees capital tied up in vehicles; structured terms over life of asset.

Cons: Secured against the vehicles; not ideal for pure short‑term operational cash unless using refinance or sale‑and‑leaseback.

Commercial bridging / seasonal loans

What it is: Short, often higher‑cost loans to bridge a known timing gap (e.g., before a large inbound payment arrives or to cover a seasonal payroll spike).

Speed: Can be arranged quickly — 24–72 hours in many cases.

Pros: Designed for short fixed periods; flexible use.

Cons: Higher fees / interest; should be used for genuine short‑term gaps.

Quick tip: most lenders and brokers will consider sums from around £10,000 up — tell us how much you need in our free eligibility check and we’ll match you to the right solutions: Free Eligibility Check.

Eligibility, underwriting & what lenders look for

Lenders vary, but these common factors drive approval and pricing:

• Turnover and profit margins: Consistent turnover helps — large retail contracts or marketplace sales are especially attractive.
• Invoice quality: Who owes you money matters — invoices to large retailers or well‑known marketplaces score well.
• Contract length & repeat business: Ongoing delivery contracts provide confidence.
• Trading history: Many specialist lenders will consider newer companies, but stronger history usually speeds approval.
• Director credit & security: Personal credit and willingness to provide assets can influence terms.

Common documents lenders ask for: recent bank statements (3–6 months), VAT returns, copies of invoices / contracts, company accounts and ID for directors.

Note: Specialist lenders and brokers can place businesses with adverse credit or short trading records, but pricing and conditions reflect higher risk.

How quickly can funds arrive? Typical timelines

• Invoice finance: Once approved and onboarded: 24–72 hours to release funds on submitted invoices.
• Merchant cash advance: Agreement to funds in 24–48 hours is common for fast providers.
• Short‑term loans: 48 hours to 7 days depending on underwriting and security.
• Asset/vehicle finance: 3–10 days (valuations and paperwork can add time).
• Bridging/seasonal loans: 24–72 hours for specialist lenders.

Speed depends on complete documentation, rapid responses from directors, and whether valuations or third‑party checks are needed. Providing bank statements and signed authority quickly speeds the process.

Typical costs & representative examples

Costs vary widely by product, lender and the borrower’s risk profile. Below are indicative ranges only — actual quotes will vary:

• Invoice finance: Factor fees typically 0.5%–3% of invoice value per month depending on industry and debtor risk.
• Merchant cash advance: Factor or fixed cost of typically equivalent to a high APR when annualised; good for short-term needs only.
• Short‑term loans: Arrangements and interest rates depend on credit profile — representative APRs can differ substantially; always check lender examples.
• Asset finance: Structured over the asset life; rates typically lower than unsecured options because the vehicle is security.

Representative example (illustrative only): a 12‑month short‑term loan of £50,000 could incur arrangement fees plus monthly interest; the effective APR depends on fees, repayment profile and lender. UK Business Loans does not provide credit and does not give regulated financial advice — we introduce you to lenders and brokers who will provide full representative examples when you request a quote.

Choosing the right product for your fleet

Match product to need:

• Immediate invoice cash: Invoice finance/factoring
• Short seasonal spikes: Merchant cash advance or bridging
• Vehicle purchases / freeing capital: Asset or vehicle finance / refinance
• Ongoing flexibility: Overdraft or invoice discounting

Ask yourself: do I need recurring funding or a one‑off lump sum? Can I offer security (vehicles, property)? Are my invoices to strong counterparties? Answering these helps brokers find the best match.

Compare quotes — Free & no obligation

How UK Business Loans helps couriers & fleets

We act as your introducer to specialist lenders and brokers who understand logistics. Our simple four‑step process:

1. Complete a quick enquiry — takes ~2 minutes and is not an application.
2. We match you with lenders/brokers that specialise in transport and delivery finance.
3. Receive offers — you’ll typically get contact by phone or email within hours or days, depending on the product.
4. Compare & decide — choose the lender that suits your terms and timing.

We do not lend. Our service is free to businesses — we get paid by partners when introductions convert. For more sector-specific options see our logistics hub on logistics business loans.

Get Quote Now — Free eligibility check

Risks, compliance & important disclaimers

Important: UK Business Loans is an introducer — not a lender. Submitting an enquiry is a request for matching and does not guarantee finance. All lender offers are subject to their eligibility checks and terms. Make sure you understand the repayment profile, any security or guarantees required, and the total cost before accepting an offer. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score; lenders may perform checks only if you progress to a formal application.

Frequently asked questions

Are couriers eligible for fast working capital loans?

Yes. Couriers and last‑mile fleets commonly access invoice finance, merchant cash advances, short‑term loans and asset finance. Eligibility depends on turnover, contract counterparties and trading history.

How fast can I get a cash advance?

Some merchant cash advances and invoice advances can be completed in 24–72 hours. Short‑term loans and asset finance tend to take a few days to a week depending on documentation.

Will applying affect my credit score?

No — a quick enquiry with UK Business Loans won’t affect your credit file. Lenders may carry out credit checks only if you decide to progress with them.

Can I get funding with poor credit or short trading history?

Possibly. Specialist lenders and brokers work with higher‑risk cases, but expect higher costs or additional security. Our matching service will identify suitable partners.

What documents do I typically need?

Commonly requested items: 3–6 months bank statements, recent VAT returns, copies of invoices/contracts, company accounts and ID for directors.

What can I use the funds for?

Working capital, payroll, fuel, vehicle repairs, fleet expansion, contract fulfilment and supplier payments are typical uses.

Ready to check eligibility? Get Quote Now

Next steps — get a free eligibility check

If your courier or last‑mile fleet needs cash quickly, the fastest way to find options is to complete a short enquiry. It takes about two minutes, won’t affect your credit score, and lets us match you to lenders or brokers who specialise in transport and logistics.

Get Quote Now — Free eligibility check

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Image alt text suggestion: “Courier van delivering parcels — last‑mile fleet working capital”. For tailored advice and fast quotes for sums from around £10,000 upwards, complete a free eligibility check: Get Quote Now.

1. What types of fast working capital are available for couriers and last‑mile fleets?
– Invoice finance, merchant cash advances (turnover finance), short‑term loans, business overdrafts/invoice discounting, asset & vehicle finance (including sale‑and‑leaseback) and commercial bridging are commonly available.

2. How quickly can funds arrive for a courier business?
– Merchant cash advances and invoice advances can be as fast as 24–72 hours, short‑term loans usually 48 hours–7 days, and asset/vehicle finance typically 3–10 business days depending on documentation.

3. How much funding can I expect to access through UK Business Loans?
– Our broker and lender partners commonly consider sums from around £10,000 up to several hundred thousand pounds (and higher via secured or specialist facilities).

4. Will submitting an enquiry with UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
– No — completing our free eligibility check is not a formal application and won’t affect your credit file; lenders may perform checks only if you progress to a formal application.

5. What documents do lenders typically request for courier working capital?
– Lenders usually ask for recent business bank statements (3–6 months), VAT returns, copies of invoices/contracts, company accounts and ID for directors.

6. Can I get finance with poor credit or a short trading history?
– Possibly — specialist lenders and brokers in our network consider higher‑risk cases, but expect higher costs, tighter terms or additional security.

7. Are the lenders and brokers UK Business Loans introduces regulated and trustworthy?
– Yes — we work with vetted, reputable brokers and lenders who operate under FCA guidelines and treat customers fairly.

8. Does UK Business Loans lend money or charge businesses to use the service?
– No — we are an introducer, not a lender, and our matching service is free to businesses (we receive payment from partners only when introductions convert).

9. How do I choose between invoice finance, merchant cash advance and a short‑term loan for my fleet?
– Match the product to your need: invoice finance for unpaid B2B invoices and predictable advance rates, merchant cash advance for very fast, turnover‑linked short spikes, and short‑term loans for a defined lump sum with set repayments.

10. What can I use working capital funding for in my courier or last‑mile business?
– Typical uses include payroll and driver wages, fuel, vehicle repairs and MOTs, fleet expansion or replacement, supplier payments and fulfilling large contracts or seasonal peaks.