Equipment finance from £10,000+ — What minimum amount can our partners offer?
Summary (quick answer): Most lenders and brokers we introduce to UK businesses typically start equipment finance at around £10,000. In some cases — for standard IT, office kit or where a business shows strong trading history or a deposit — specialist funders can consider smaller tickets (eg. £5,000–£9,999). Conversely, specialist capital equipment (medical, heavy plant, manufacturing) usually has higher minimums. This page explains why minimums vary, typical thresholds by product and sector, what lenders look for, how to improve your chances of securing funding at lower ticket sizes, and how UK Business Loans can match your enquiry quickly so you can get quotes.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
Quick answer — typical minimums
Practical minimums through our panel generally start at around £10,000. Some specialist lenders and brokers will consider smaller ticket sizes for common assets or strong businesses (often between £5,000 and £9,999), but this is less common. For specialist or bespoke assets (medical imaging, large manufacturing lines, major plant fleets) lenders often require larger minimum values — commonly £20,000 and upwards.
Minimums are driven by product type, asset characteristics, lender appetite and the business’s financial profile — read on for details and examples.
Why the minimum varies — six key factors
- Finance product: Hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease and asset refinance have different cost bases and admin overheads, affecting minimums.
- Asset type and age: Readily valued, off-the-shelf new equipment is easier to finance at lower amounts than bespoke or used machinery.
- Lender/broker policy: Each provider sets its own minimum ticket size based on risk appetite and administrative cost.
- Business credit profile: Trading history, turnover and profitability influence approval thresholds; stronger profiles may access lower minimums.
- Deposit or trade-in: A larger deposit or trade-in value can reduce the finance required and make smaller loans acceptable.
- Term length & monthly payment level: Lenders prefer monthly payments above a practical economic threshold; longer terms can make low-ticket finance viable.
Note: Submitting an enquiry is not an application. The information you provide helps us match your business with lenders or brokers who can give detailed, personalised terms.
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 minimums by finance type (what to expect)
Hire purchase
Hire purchase is widely used for equipment ownership. Many funders commonly start from £10,000, though specialist funders may accept lower amounts (eg. £5,000–£9,999) for standard vehicles, office kit or IT packages.
Finance lease / Operating lease
Finance leases behave similarly to hire purchase. Operating leases (rental-style) can have higher minimums because of administrational and residual value considerations. Typical starting points are around £10,000, with larger minimums for short contract lengths or high residual value models.
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.
Asset refinance / Top-ups
If you already have funded assets, lenders look at equity in existing equipment. Small top-ups may be possible at lower values depending on valuation and lender appetite.
Specialist structured finance
For complex, high-value capital spending (manufacturing lines, CT scanners, large fleets), minimums are usually much higher — often starting at £15,000–£50,000+.
Typical minimums by sector — quick examples
- Construction & plant: Many funders expect £10,000+; larger plant or small fleets commonly start at £20,000+.
- Healthcare & diagnostics: Specialist medical devices frequently require £20,000+.
- Hospitality & catering: Kitchen equipment and fit-outs often funded from £10,000.
- IT & office equipment: Some funders and specialist brokers accept smaller tickets (£5,000–£10,000) for standard IT and office packages.
These are typical starting points — exact thresholds vary by lender and the deal structure you choose.
Free Eligibility Check — Get Started
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
What lenders look for — how to improve your chances at a lower minimum
To secure funding at the best possible minimum, prepare the following items and signals:
- Clear supplier quotes or invoices for the equipment
- Business bank statements (recent months)
- Accounts or management accounts (12–24 months where available)
- VAT registration details and company incorporation documentation
- A reasonable explanation of any credit issues, plus supporting paperwork
- Willingness to provide a deposit or shorter term options
Working with a specialist broker who understands which lenders accept smaller ticket sizes is often the quickest route to a positive outcome. Our matching process revolves around presenting your case to the most suitable partners.
How UK Business Loans helps you secure the best minimum
We do not lend. Instead, we connect businesses with lenders and brokers who specialise in equipment and asset finance. When you submit an enquiry we:
- Collect the essential details about your business and the asset required (this is not an application).
- Match your case to lenders and brokers in our network who accept the ticket size and sector.
- Help you receive multiple quotes or a broker introduction so you can compare terms and costs.
- Ensure partner lenders/brokers provide fee and regulatory disclosures before any commitment.
Your enquiry does not affect your credit score. The providers to whom we pass details will only carry out full credit checks with your consent.
For more general details on equipment funding options see our equipment finance overview equipment finance.
Typical timeline & costs — what to expect
Response times are fast for straightforward equipment finance:
- Initial response: Many partners respond within 24–72 hours after we submit your enquiry.
- Documentation & valuation: Once a quote is provisionally offered, the lender/broker will request supporting documents and may schedule a valuation for certain assets.
- Fees: Our matching service is free. Lenders or brokers may charge arrangement, brokerage or admin fees — these must be disclosed up front by the provider.
- Credit checks: Initial enquiries do not create a hard credit search; lenders will obtain permission before performing hard checks.
Real-life examples (anonymised)
Mini-digger for a subcontractor: A contractor obtained a £12,000 hire purchase agreement after introduction to a specialist equipment broker. Funding completed within 48 hours of quote acceptance.
Café kitchen upgrade: A café owner arranged a £15,000 lease with a 10% deposit for new cooking equipment and staged payments over three years.
These examples show typical outcomes but are not guarantees — each business and asset is assessed individually.
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.
Get Matched — Start Your Free Eligibility Check
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum equipment finance amount you can arrange?
Most partner lenders commonly offer equipment finance from around £10,000. Some specialist lenders may accept lower amounts for standard assets or where the business profile is strong.
Can I get equipment finance under £10,000?
Possibly. Specialist brokers and lenders may fund tickets between £5,000–£9,999 for standard IT, office equipment or simple vehicle deals. It depends on the asset, lender policy and borrower strength.
Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — completing our enquiry form is informational and does not trigger a hard credit check. Lenders may perform credit checks later with your permission.
Do you provide the loan directly?
No — we introduce you to lenders and brokers who will provide quotes. We are an introducer and do not lend or give regulated financial advice.
How quickly will I receive quotes?
Many partners provide initial responses within 24–72 hours, but timing depends on lender workload and the complexity of the asset.
Ready to find the right equipment finance from £10,000+?
If you need equipment for your business, the quickest way to see realistic options is to get matched to lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and asset type. Complete a short enquiry so we can identify the best partners to approach — it’s free, quick and not an application.
Small print / compliance
UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not lend or provide regulated financial advice. We pass enquiries to lenders and brokers who will provide quotes, full terms and any regulatory disclosures. Information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute personal financial advice. For regulated advice, contact an authorised adviser.
Enquiry note: completing a Quick Quote / Enquiry Form is informational — not an application — and helps us match your business to the most suitable lenders and brokers.
Privacy: see our Privacy Policy for how we handle your data.
1. What is the minimum amount needed for equipment finance? — Most partner lenders we work with typically start equipment finance at around £10,000, though specialist funders may consider £5,000–£9,999 for common assets while bespoke capital items often need £20,000+.
2. Can I get equipment finance under £10,000? — Possibly — some specialist brokers and lenders will fund tickets between £5,000–£9,999 for standard IT, office kit or simple vehicle deals if your business shows strong trading history or can provide a deposit.
3. What types of equipment finance are available? — Common options include hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease, asset refinance/top-ups and specialist structured finance for high-value capital projects.
4. How quickly will I receive quotes when I enquire through UK Business Loans? — Many partners respond within 24–72 hours after we submit your enquiry, though timing varies with asset complexity and lender workload.
5. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? — No — completing our enquiry form is informational and does not trigger a hard credit check; lenders will only run credit checks with your consent later.
6. Do you lend directly or provide regulated financial advice? — No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that matches you with FCA-regulated brokers and lenders and does not lend or give regulated advice.
7. What documentation do lenders typically ask for when applying for equipment finance? — Lenders usually request supplier quotes/invoices, recent bank statements, 12–24 months’ accounts or management accounts, VAT and incorporation details, and explanations for any credit issues.
8. Are there fees or hidden costs when using UK Business Loans to find equipment finance? — Our matching service is free, but lenders or brokers you’re introduced to may charge arrangement, brokerage or admin fees which they must disclose up front.
9. How can I improve my chances of securing equipment finance at a lower minimum ticket size? — Strengthen your case with clear supplier quotes, recent accounts, a deposit or trade‑in, longer term options to keep monthly payments viable, and use a specialist broker who targets lenders that accept smaller tickets.
10. Which sectors usually face higher minimums for equipment finance? — Sectors with bespoke, high-value assets such as healthcare diagnostics, heavy plant/construction and large-scale manufacturing commonly face higher minimums, often £20,000 and above.