Logistics Business Loans — Secured & Unsecured Funding

Short answer: Yes — UK Business Loans connects logistics and transport companies with partner lenders and brokers who offer both secured and unsecured logistics funding. Whether you need fleet finance, warehouse funding, invoice finance or short-term working capital, we’ll match you quickly with suitable providers. Get Quote Now

We introduce you to lenders and brokers. We do not lend money or give regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry is not an application and will not affect your credit score.

TL;DR: Our network provides both secured and unsecured logistics funding. Secured options suit fleet, heavy equipment and property and allow larger, longer-term sums. Unsecured options work for fast working capital and smaller short-term needs. Tell us what you need and we’ll match you fast. Free Eligibility Check.

What is logistics funding?

Logistics funding covers the finance options used by businesses in transport, haulage, distribution and third-party logistics (3PL). Common needs include purchasing or replacing vans, HGVs and trailers; financing a fleet; fitting out or buying warehouse space and racking; funding handling equipment (forklifts, conveyors); and bridging seasonal cashflow gaps.

Typical finance types used by logistics businesses include asset finance (hire purchase, finance lease), vehicle leasing, invoice finance, commercial loans secured on assets or property, overdrafts and short-term working capital facilities. Each product has different costs, terms and security requirements.

Do UK Business Loans’ partners provide logistics funding on both a secured and an unsecured basis?

Yes. Our partner lenders and brokers offer both secured and unsecured logistics funding. Which route is appropriate depends on the purpose of the funding, the size of the facility, the assets available as collateral and the business’s credit profile.

We match businesses to providers who specialise in logistics and transport: specialist vehicle/asset finance houses for fleet purchases; invoice finance firms for carriers with outstanding receivables; commercial lenders and brokers for property or larger secured facilities; and challenger banks or non-bank lenders for unsecured short-term needs.

Note: availability, terms and security requirements vary by lender and are subject to their underwriting checks. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll introduce you to suitable partners. Get Quote Now

Secured logistics funding — what, when and how it works

Secured logistics funding is where the lender takes a form of security (collateral) to reduce risk. This is the most common route for larger sums and long-term purchases in logistics.

• Asset finance — hire purchase (HP) or finance leases for vans, trucks, trailers and handling equipment. The asset itself is typically the security; once you’ve repaid, ownership transfers (HP) or you can return the asset (lease), depending on the product.
• Fleet refinancing — refinance an existing fleet to release cash or to consolidate more expensive finance into a single facility secured against the vehicles.
• Equipment finance — for warehouse racking, conveyors, forklifts and specialist handling kit where equipment is used as collateral.
• Property-secured loans — commercial mortgages or debenture-backed lending for warehouses, depots or distribution centres.
• Invoice finance with security — some invoice finance deals require a debenture or charge over business assets depending on lender appetite.

Typical features of secured finance:

• Higher borrowing limits and longer terms (useful for multi-vehicle purchases or property).
• Lower monthly payments compared with unsecured alternatives for the same amount because security reduces lender risk.
• Security can include vehicle logbooks, fixed charges on equipment, floating charges over business assets or charges on property.

Who benefits: established hauliers, owner-operators expanding fleets, 3PLs buying or refinancing warehouses, and firms that prefer lower monthly costs across longer terms.

Unsecured logistics funding — what, when and how it works

Unsecured logistics funding does not rely on specific physical collateral (though lenders may still assess cashflows and credit). These options are generally quicker to access but come with lower maximums and higher costs.

• Unsecured business loans — short to medium-term loans for working capital or small capital purchases.
• Overdrafts & short-term bridging — useful for temporary cashflow shortfalls (driver payroll, fuel spikes, repairs).
• Merchant cash advances — repayable through a percentage of card takings, sometimes used for quick financing.
• Small unsecured vehicle loans — for lower-value vans where asset finance is less suitable.

Key constraints: lower maximum amounts, shorter repayment terms and often higher interest/fees than secured loans. Unsecured finance is attractive when speed is essential, when owners don’t want to pledge assets or when assets are already encumbered.

Which option suits your logistics business? Quick decision checklist

• If you need a large sum or long-term repayment for vehicles, warehouses or heavy equipment → secured finance is usually best.
• If you need fast, smaller amounts for seasonal cashflow or urgent bills → unsecured options could be better.
• Poor credit but valuable assets → secured lending can improve approval chances.
• If you don’t want to pledge property or broad business assets → consider unsecured or asset-specific finance (leases).
• Want assets off balance sheet → operating leases may be preferable to traditional loans.

Still unsure? Get a tailored recommendation with a Free Eligibility Check.

Typical lenders and products we match you with

Our panel includes a mix of specialist and mainstream providers:

• Specialist vehicle & asset finance companies (fleet and HGV finance)
• Invoice finance providers for carriers and logistics firms
• Commercial banks and challenger lenders for property and larger secured facilities
• Online/unsecured short-term lenders and merchant finance providers
• Experienced brokers who place complex or bespoke logistics transactions

We assess your needs (turnover, loan size, asset type, credit profile) and introduce you to the best-matched lenders or brokers. For sector-specific detail, see our logistics guide on logistics business loans.

Logistics business loans — more on the industry-specific options and lenders we commonly work with.

Application process via UK Business Loans — simple, fast and free

1. Complete a short enquiry form: basic business details, required amount (we typically arrange loans from £10,000 and up), purpose (fleet, warehouse, working capital), turnover and contact details. It takes a couple of minutes.
2. We match you: we introduce your enquiry to 1–3 lenders or brokers that specialise in your requirement.
3. Receive quotes: lenders/brokers contact you directly with proposals — often within hours for unsecured enquiries and within days for secured or property-backed deals.
4. Choose and proceed: you choose an offer and complete the formal lender application. UK Business Loans does not provide the lending and we do not complete the application on your behalf.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Microcopy: Submitting this enquiry is free and will not affect your credit score. We are an introducer and do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Offers are subject to lender checks and terms.

Typical timelines, documentation & costs — what to expect

• Timelines: unsecured loans — same day to 7 days; asset/fleet finance — typically 3–21 days depending on valuations; property-secured loans — several weeks.
• Common documents: company registration, ID for directors, recent business accounts (1–3 years), bank statements, VAT returns and asset details (logbooks, invoices).
• Costs: rates, deposit requirements and fees vary by lender and depend on credit profile, loan size, term and security. Lenders will disclose full terms before you commit.

Risks, protections & regulatory notes

Important points to consider before you borrow:

• Secured loans: failure to repay can lead to repossession of the secured asset (vehicles, equipment or property).
• Unsecured loans: typically higher interest rates and sometimes higher fees than secured alternatives.
• Always read the lender’s full terms and ask about total cost of credit, early repayment charges and breakage fees.

We are an introducer, not a lender. The lenders or brokers you are introduced to will carry out affordability and eligibility checks and supply full T&Cs. For official guidance on borrowing and regulated services, refer to the FCA website: www.fca.org.uk.

Frequently asked questions

Will applying through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No. Submitting our enquiry form does not affect your credit file. Lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks later if you proceed with a full application.

Can early-stage logistics businesses get funding?

Yes — some partners offer finance for younger companies, particularly asset finance or invoice advance facilities. Options depend on asset value, trading history and director support.

What loan sizes can I get for fleet purchases?

We arrange everything from modest van purchases to multi-vehicle fleet facilities. We typically handle enquiries from around £10,000 upward and can place larger deals through specialist partners.

Do lenders usually ask for deposits on vehicle finance?

Some lenders require a deposit, particularly for younger businesses or used vehicles. Deposit levels vary by lender, vehicle age and overall risk profile.

Is invoice finance secured or unsecured?

Invoice finance is often secured against receivables and may be provided with a debenture; structures vary by provider. We’ll explain the options for your business when you enquire.

How quickly will I hear from lenders?

For unsecured enquiries you can receive responses within hours. Secured, asset-backed or property facilities generally take longer (days to weeks), depending on valuations and solicitor involvement.

Are the lenders you introduce regulated?

We work with a broad panel of brokers and lenders. Where regulation applies to a product, lenders or brokers will be able to demonstrate their regulatory status. Always check the provider’s credentials and product terms.

Free Eligibility Check — complete our short form and we’ll match you with logistics finance specialists.

Real-world scenarios

Case study 1 — Fleet replacement (secured): An established haulier needed to replace 10 diesel vans. We introduced a specialist asset finance lender who provided hire-purchase funding with monthly repayments matching expected cashflow. Result: predictable repayments and ownership transfer at term end.

Case study 2 — Seasonal cashflow (unsecured/invoice finance): A 3PL experienced a seasonal spike in customer invoices. We matched them with an invoice finance provider who advanced a large portion of outstanding invoices, smoothing payroll and fuel payments until customer collections completed.

Ready to find the right logistics finance?

Get matched with lenders and brokers who specialise in logistics. It’s free, quick and no obligation — complete a short enquiry and get personalised quotes. Get Quote Now

We are an introducer — we do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. All offers are subject to lender eligibility checks and terms.

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1. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — submitting an enquiry is not a credit application and will not affect your credit score; lenders may carry out checks only if you proceed with a full application.

2. What types of logistics business loans can I access?
You can be matched with asset finance (hire purchase, leases), fleet finance, vehicle leasing, invoice finance, commercial property loans, overdrafts, merchant cash advances and unsecured business loans through our partners.

3. Secured or unsecured — which logistics funding option is right for my business?
Secured finance is usually best for larger, long-term purchases like fleets, heavy equipment or warehouses (lower rates, higher limits), while unsecured finance is faster and suits smaller, short-term working capital needs but usually costs more.

4. How quickly will I hear back from lenders or brokers?
Unsecured enquiries often receive responses within hours and secured or property-backed deals typically take days to weeks depending on valuations and solicitor involvement.

5. What loan sizes can UK Business Loans arrange for logistics businesses?
We typically arrange facilities from around £10,000 up to multi‑million pound packages via specialist lenders and brokers.

6. What documentation will lenders commonly ask for when applying for logistics finance?
Lenders usually request company registration details, director ID, recent business accounts (1–3 years), bank statements, VAT returns and asset-specific documents such as vehicle logbooks or equipment invoices.

7. Can early-stage or poor-credit logistics businesses get funding?
Yes — some partners specialise in funding younger businesses or those with imperfect credit, often using asset finance, invoice advances or director-secured arrangements to improve approval chances.

8. Do lenders usually require a deposit for vehicle or fleet finance?
Some lenders do ask for a deposit—especially for used vehicles or newer businesses—with deposit levels depending on vehicle age, condition and overall risk profile.

9. Are the lenders and brokers you introduce regulated and trustworthy?
We work only with reputable lenders and brokers who can demonstrate FCA regulation or compliance where applicable, and you should always check a provider’s credentials and full terms.

10. How does UK Business Loans match my logistics business with the right finance provider?
Complete a short, free eligibility enquiry and we’ll introduce your requirements to 1–3 lenders or brokers who specialise in your sector, loan size, assets and credit profile so you can compare offers.