Asset Finance Explained: Hire Purchase, Leasing and the Flat Rate Trap

Alex BeardsleyFounder & Director

|Updated July 2026

The kitchen needs a new oven. The workshop needs a CNC machine. The fleet needs two more vans. You could drain the bank account to buy them outright, or you could let the equipment pay for itself while it earns.

That's the whole idea behind asset finance: spreading the cost of vehicles, machinery and equipment over the years they'll be generating revenue, instead of taking the hit in one month. It funds everything from a £5,000 piece of kit into seven figures of plant and machinery.

Here's how the main structures work, what deposits and terms look like in 2026, and the one pricing trick that catches business owners out again and again.

What Counts as Asset Finance?

Asset finance is any funding secured against a physical asset your business uses. Because the lender has the asset itself as security, it's often easier to access than an unsecured loan of the same size, and the asset class shapes the deal. Lenders talk about three tiers:

• Hard assets: vehicles, trucks, construction plant, agricultural machinery. Strong resale value, so the best terms
• Medium assets: manufacturing equipment, commercial kitchen kit, printing machinery
• Soft assets: IT, software, gym equipment, furniture. Little resale value, so lenders lean more on the strength of your business

Hire Purchase vs Leasing: The Real Difference

Hire purchase (HP)

You pay a deposit, make fixed monthly payments over the term, and own the asset outright at the end. Deposits typically run 10 to 20% of the asset's value, though established businesses with a strong covenant can sometimes secure nil-deposit deals. On HP it's also common to pay the VAT up front alongside the deposit.

Finance lease

The lender buys the asset and rents it to you. You never own it, but you get the full use of it for lower monthly payments, and rentals are usually deductible as a business expense. At the end you can often extend, return the asset, or share in the sale proceeds.

Refinancing assets you already own

Sale and HP back, or asset refinance, releases cash from equipment your business owns outright. The lender buys it from you and finances it back. Businesses use it to unlock working capital that's been sitting in the yard.

The ownership question drives the tax treatment too, and that differs between HP and leasing. The details depend on your circumstances, so it's one to run past your accountant before you sign anything.

Typical Deposits and Terms in 2026

As a general guide across the UK market, not a quote:

• Terms: most agreements run 1 to 5 years, with up to 7 years available on heavy or specialist equipment
• Deposits: typically 10 to 20%, with nil-deposit available for strong established businesses
• Amounts: from around £5,000 with no practical upper ceiling for the right asset and business

Every deal is subject to status and the lender's own checks. The asset, the deposit, the term and your accounts all move the price.

The Flat Rate Trap

Here's the pricing quirk that catches people out. Asset finance is often quoted as a flat rate: interest calculated on the full original balance for the whole term, even though you're paying the balance down every month.

A rough rule of thumb: the true APR works out at close to double the flat rate. So a “5% flat” deal costs something nearer 9 to 10% APR. Neither number is wrong, they're just different ways of expressing the same repayments, but comparing one lender's flat rate against another's APR will mislead you every time.

The fix is simple. Ask every funder for the same figure: the total amount repayable over the term, in pounds, including all fees and any balloon payment. Pounds don't lie.

Where Asset Finance Fits

Construction firms financing diggers and dumpers. Restaurants kitting out a second site. Hauliers adding trucks. Manufacturers upgrading a production line. Farms replacing machinery. The pattern is the same: the asset earns money over years, so the cost is spread over years to match.

It also protects your other borrowing capacity. Because the finance is secured on the asset itself, your overdraft and working capital lines stay free for the day to day. And if the money is for a van or company car specifically, we've covered van finance and business car finance in their own guides.

Common Questions

Can I finance used equipment?

Usually, yes. Lenders finance used vehicles, plant and machinery all the time, particularly hard assets with a clear resale market. Age limits apply and vary by lender and asset type.

Will I need a personal guarantee?

Often, especially for smaller companies. It means you're personally on the hook if the business can't pay, so read it carefully before signing. We've written a full guide to personal guarantees and what they involve.

What's a balloon payment?

A larger lump sum left to the end of the agreement. It lowers the monthly payments but it doesn't lower the total cost, and it needs a plan: pay it, refinance it, or sell the asset to cover it. Always include the balloon when comparing total repayable figures.

How fast can it complete?

Straightforward deals on standard assets can be approved in 24 to 48 hours, with the supplier paid shortly after. Complex or high-value kit takes longer because the lender wants to understand what they're securing against.

CapExpand Ltd (Company No. 14433858) is a commercial finance introducer, not a lender. We are not currently authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not provide financial advice. All information on this page is for educational purposes only. Funding is subject to status and lender criteria. CapExpand will receive a commission from providers at no extra cost to you.