Business car finance

No matter if your business is a limited company, PLC, partnership, or sole trader, there’s a business car finance deal for you.

Looking to finance a single company car, or full fleet finance?

Financing one company car or a whole fleet of company cars makes good business sense. Instead of putting strain on cashflow and tying up hard-won capital in your vehicles, spread the cost out over time. Pay for your cars as you use them to make money for your business. Choose from purchase or lease options, secure the tax advantages of electric cars, even free up liquid cash from vehicles you already own. Whichever route you choose, car finance for business puts you in the driving seat.

Types of vehicle finance available

Which is the best type of car finance for your business?

Type of financeUpfront deposit?Balloon payment?Do you own the car at end of contract?Maintenance included?Excess miles charges?
Hire Purchase
Hire Purchase with balloon
Sale and LeasebackPossibly
Finance LeaseOptionalPossibly
Operating leasePossibly, or you may collect a surplus
Contract hire

Why use Swoop?

A dedicated funding manager will help find a tailored solution to your needs

Swoop is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Swoop's technology paired with our funding managers networks means you'll have access to deals only available through us

Get funding fast - we can help you get finance in as little as 48 hours

How do I apply?

It’s quick and easy to apply for car or van finance online and our support team are on hand if you have any questions.

Quickly check if you qualify

Have your financial statements and equipment quote ready.

Apply online in 10 minutes

Tell us about you and your business with our simple application.

Get your decision

If approved, you’ll receive a no-obligation, personalised quote.

Your loan is funded

Once you accept, we run some final checks to process your loan and deposit the money straight into your account.

Testimonials

Prefer to talk?

Contact our specialist asset finance team if you have any questions

FAQs

Yes, it is possible to finance a car through a business, although you may be liable for a tax known as Benefits in Kind, (BiK). This imposes income tax on the user for their personal use of the car.

Buying a car through a limited company is much the same as personally buying a car, except the business is the vehicle owner and the user is only the registered keeper. Does it make sense to buy a car through your business? This depends on what you will use the car for, the type of vehicle, the purchase price, the type of finance scheme you use, and the vehicle’s CO² emissions. The correct balance will bring advantageous tax benefits, an incorrect balance may make you liable for added taxes.

Business car finance rates start as low as 3%. 

In most cases, if the vehicle is purchased, businesses can only reclaim VAT on car finance payments if the vehicle is used solely for business purposes. (This does not include your daily commute). If the car is used as a mix of business and personal use, you cannot reclaim the VAT. In most cases, if the vehicle is leased, businesses may reclaim 50% of the VAT on car finance payments, as well as on included charges for maintenance and excess mileage. See HMRC's guide on VAT rules for business car financing for details.

Business car finance can be cheaper than personal finance, depending on the tax advantages you can claim by using the vehicle for business purposes. Interest rates and fees and typically the same for business and personal car finance schemes.

Yes, you can still get car finance with poor credit history. although you many be asked to pay a higher deposit or higher interest rate and fees. Even if you have been turned down elsewhere, it may still be possible to secure the business car finance  you need.

Even though key interest rates are edging upwards, they are still very low in historic terms. This means borrowing money is cheap, especially if you lock in a low rate now. Instead of tying cash up in the value of depreciating assets and putting strain on cashflow, finance your business vehicles to spread the cost and make the most of low interest rates on business car finance deals.

It can be. Leasing a car instead of buying with HP may create tax advantages for your business. However, lease options typically include a mileage allowance that you must stay within, or you will pay extra for every mile you use above the pre-agreed limit. Very high mileage costs can negate the tax advantages of leasing.

Yes. Lenders will usually conduct a credit check on your limited company, as well as the director(s). If you are asked to provide a personal guarantee for the loan you are liable for any defaults that may occur.  Late or non-payments will be recorded on your personal credit report. 

To obtain the best business car finance deals, UK businesses will typically need a credit score above 700, (although you may still be able to lease a car with lower scores). Not sure what your business score is? Check your business credit report and discover the best ways to improve your score now.

To apply for business car finance, you will typically need:

 

  • Company details – including structure (limited company, PLC, sole trader, etc), registration number, VAT number, annual turnover, date of incorporation or founding.
  • Director details – including date of birth, address, contact details, marital status and number dependents.
  • Business bank details
  • Last 6 months bank statements
  • Balance sheet and cashflow forecast
  • Details of outstanding business debts

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