Equipment funding for UK businesses
Your pizza oven dies on a Friday night. Your delivery van fails its MOT. The POS system is held together with hope. Equipment doesn't break when it's convenient, and banks don't move fast enough when you need to replace it yesterday. That's why so many UK businesses are turning to short-term funding for equipment in 2026.
Last updated: April 2026
Common equipment purchases businesses fund
Kitchen equipment
Ovens, fridges, dishwashers, extraction systems. Hospitality businesses often can't afford any downtime when equipment fails.
Vehicles
Vans, delivery vehicles, company cars. Essential for businesses that rely on transport to operate.
Manufacturing machinery
CNC machines, lathes, printing presses. The cost of a broken machine is measured in lost production.
Technology and IT
Servers, laptops, POS systems, software licences. Tech upgrades that improve efficiency or customer experience.
Salon and beauty equipment
Chairs, laser machines, massage tables. New equipment opens up new services and revenue streams.
Construction tools
Scaffolding, generators, power tools. Buying outright can be cheaper long-term than hiring.
Funding vs leasing: what's the difference?
| Buy with funding (MCA/RBF) | Equipment lease | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Yours from day one | Provider owns it until end |
| Speed | 24-48 hours | Days to weeks |
| Repayments | Flex with revenue (MCA/RBF) | Fixed monthly |
| Use restriction | None (your money) | Must be for the specific equipment |
| Good for | Urgent purchases, flexibility | Large, specific assets |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a merchant cash advance to buy equipment?▼
Yes. MCA funds can be used for any business purpose including buying equipment, machinery, tools, or technology. There are no restrictions on how you spend the money.
What is the difference between equipment funding and equipment leasing?▼
With funding (like an MCA), you get a lump sum and buy the equipment outright. It's yours from day one. With leasing, you pay a monthly fee to use it and give it back at the end (or sometimes buy it for a residual value). Both work, just depends on what suits you.
How quickly can I get equipment funding?▼
Providers on our panel commonly advertise decisions within 24 hours and funding within days. Bank loans and traditional equipment finance agreements usually take longer.
How much can I get for equipment?▼
Most MCA providers offer between 1 and 1.5 times your monthly card turnover. So if you're processing £15,000 a month, you could be looking at up to around £22,000. Need more than that? We can look at other options on our panel.
Which types of equipment do lenders actually fund?▼
Nearly anything a business uses, and our asset finance panel of 38 lenders records it class by class: 33 fund construction plant, 32 agricultural machinery, 26 medical and dental equipment, 23 gym equipment and 18 EV charging installations. 25 of them offer VAT deferral on the purchase. Figures checked September 2026; panel composition changes over time.
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Can't wait for a bank loan? Neither can your business.
Tell us what you need to buy and we'll find providers who can fund it. A named person calls you back within one working day, usually within a couple of hours. Free to use.