Fleet Finance for Small Businesses
Financing a small fleet of vans - whether for a courier business, a trades company or a distribution operation - opens up options not available on single-vehicle deals. Volume gives you leverage with lenders, and a broker can negotiate fleet pricing that brings individual per-vehicle costs down.
Structuring Finance Across a Fleet
You do not have to use the same structure for every vehicle. Many businesses use HP for vehicles they intend to keep long-term (claiming AIA on each), and contract hire for vehicles they want to rotate on a shorter cycle without residual value risk. This mixed approach lets you optimise tax efficiency and cash flow simultaneously.
Fleet Contract Hire - All-In Monthly Cost
Contract hire for a fleet of vans bundles depreciation, finance cost and often maintenance into a single monthly payment per vehicle. For small businesses without a dedicated fleet manager, this removes the administration burden of managing maintenance schedules, tyre replacement and vehicle disposal. The trade-off is higher total cost and no ownership.
Indicative Fleet Van Finance Costs (October 2026)
| Van Type | Finance Structure | Monthly Cost per Van | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit Custom (new) | HP (10% deposit) | ~£380–£450 | 48 months |
| Ford Transit Custom (new) | Contract Hire (incl. maintenance) | ~£450–£550 | 48 months |
| Mercedes Sprinter (new) | HP (10% deposit) | ~£480–£580 | 48 months |
| Volkswagen Crafter (new) | Finance Lease | ~£400–£490 | 48 months |
Figures are indicative for established businesses with clean credit. Actual costs depend on specification, deposit and credit profile.
Administration and Fleet Management
For a fleet of 5+ vehicles, consider a single master agreement or fleet facility rather than individual agreements per vehicle. This simplifies your monthly payment schedule, gives a single point of contact for all finance queries, and often delivers better pricing. Fleet management software can also integrate with your finance agreements to track spend per vehicle.