At a glance: Aldermore Bank is one of the most flexible lenders for MEWP and access platform finance in the UK. They are particularly strong for access hire companies with adverse credit, sole traders, and businesses running fleets of scissor lifts. Rates start from 5.5%, with a low minimum advance of £5,000.
Aldermore MEWP Finance Rates - October 2026
Aldermore Business Finance offers hire purchase and finance lease for mobile elevating work platforms. Their underwriting is more flexible than high-street banks, making them a go-to for businesses that don't fit a standard credit profile - including those with County Court Judgements (CCJs) or a short trading history.
| MEWP Type | Finance Type | Indicative Rate | Min Advance | Max Advance | Typical Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scissor Lift (new, electric) | Hire Purchase | 5.5–8.0% | £5,000 | £2m | 24–60 months |
| Scissor Lift (used) | Hire Purchase | 6.5–10.5% | £5,000 | £500k | 24–48 months |
| Articulated Boom Lift | Hire Purchase | 5.5–9.0% | £5,000 | £2m | 36–60 months |
| Spider Lift / Crawler | Hire Purchase | 6.0–10.0% | £5,000 | £750k | 24–60 months |
| MEWP Fleet - Hire Companies | Finance Lease | 5.5–8.5% | £25,000 | £2m | 36–60 months |
| Adverse Credit | Hire Purchase | 10.0–14.0% | £5,000 | £250k | 24–48 months |
| Sole Trader | Hire Purchase | 6.5–12.0% | £5,000 | £500k | 24–48 months |
Rates are indicative. Aldermore pricing is credit-led - businesses with clean profiles achieve the lower end; those with CCJs, defaults, or limited trading history will be quoted higher rates.
Aldermore - Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Low £5,000 minimum - good for small scissor lift finance
- Adverse credit and CCJ history considered
- Sole traders and partnerships welcome
- Access hire company fleet lending
- New and used MEWP finance
- Decisions often within 24 hours for smaller cases
Limitations
- Higher rates than prime lenders for adverse credit
- Maximum £2m - not suitable for very large fleet facilities
- Less competitive on premium new equipment vs Novuna or Close Brothers
- Spider lifts above £500k may be declined
When to Use Aldermore for MEWP Finance
Aldermore is not always the cheapest lender, but they are often the most accessible. If your business has had late payments on credit files, a satisfied CCJ, or if you're a sole trader who has been declined by a high-street bank's asset finance arm, Aldermore should be one of the first calls. For access hire companies building a fleet of scissor lifts where clean credit isn't guaranteed across the board, Aldermore often provides certainty of funding when other lenders hesitate.