Vehicle Fleet Finance
Funding for fleets of HGVs, vans, cars and specialist vehicles. New, used, sale-and-leaseback and refresh programmes structured across our panel of specialist transport lenders.
Fleet funding from a broker who actually knows transport
Vehicle fleet finance is the funding most UK transport, logistics, distribution and field-service businesses run their operations on. Where a single van might be funded on a simple HP, a fleet of 10-500 vehicles needs structured, multi-tranche funding that can flex with the operating cycle, residual value risk and the lender's appetite for the vehicle type, route and customer base.
Doulton arranges fleet finance across rigid HGVs, articulated tractor units, trailers, refrigerated bodies, recovery vehicles, panel vans, Luton vans, crew cabs, light commercial vehicles, company cars and EV fleets. New, used, refurbished and refinance all in scope.
The structure that suits your fleet depends on how you actually run it. Hire purchase suits assets you intend to keep beyond the agreement and run into the ground. Finance lease keeps the vehicles off your balance sheet and 100% payments allowable against profit. Contract hire bundles maintenance and disposal risk into the monthly payment. Sale-and-leaseback releases capital tied up in an owned fleet straight back into the business.
We work with the dedicated transport divisions of major UK asset lenders plus a layer of specialist HGV-only funders the bank-owned book simply will not touch. That second tier is where most operators with mixed-age fleets, used kit, light director adverse or seasonal trading actually get funded.
What makes this work in practice
HGV and tractor units
DAF, Scania, Volvo, Mercedes, MAN, Iveco - new and used, rigid and artic. Specialist lenders who underwrite the secondary market and don't down-value used kit.
Vans and light commercials
Panel vans, Luton, crew cab, refrigerated, recovery and 3.5t commercials. Volume deals for delivery, trades and field-service fleets, structured across HP, lease and contract hire.
Trailers and bodies
Curtainsider, box, fridge, flatbed, low-loader, tanker, skeletal and specialist build trailers funded alongside or independently of the tractor units.
Refresh and replacement cycles
Structure a rolling replacement programme that retires older vehicles and brings in new at a pace the business can absorb. Smoothed monthly cost, predictable budget.
Sale-and-leaseback for owned fleets
Release the capital tied up in vehicles you already own. The funder buys the fleet at agreed values; you lease it straight back and the cash recycles into the business.
EV and alternative fuel
Battery-electric vans and HGVs, hydrogen tractors and alternative-fuel light commercials. Several lenders now have dedicated EV books with preferential rates and longer terms.
Refreshing or expanding the fleet?
Send the vehicle spec and rough fleet size. We will come back within hours with structured quotes from the specialist transport lenders most active in your vehicle type and operating profile.
Frequently asked questions
What is specialist finance?
Specialist finance covers funding for assets and sectors that sit outside mainstream lending - agricultural machinery, construction plant, commercial vehicle fleets, equestrian property, farm diversification and similar. Lenders in this space understand the asset and the industry, not just a credit score.
What assets can be financed?
New and used agricultural machinery, tractors, diggers and excavators, HGVs and trucks, vans and fleet vehicles, farm equipment, livestock facilities, equestrian buildings and land - essentially any identifiable income-producing or business-critical asset.
How is specialist finance structured?
Most commonly as hire purchase (you own the asset at the end) or finance lease (lender retains title and leases to you). Refinance and sale-and-leaseback options are also available to release capital from assets you already own.
What deposit and term applies?
Typical deposits are 10-20% of asset value. Terms run from 2 to 7 years depending on the asset's useful life and your preferred cash flow. Balloon payments can be structured in where helpful.
Can startups or new ventures access specialist finance?
Yes - specialist lenders routinely fund new-entrant farmers, newly-incorporated transport operators and first-time business asset buyers. Strong industry experience, a viable business plan and a reasonable deposit typically carry more weight than company trading history.
Explore related pages
Other Doulton specialisms and lenders that commonly fit alongside this one. We always compare the full 130+ lender panel before recommending a deal.
Specialist Finance
Agricultural, construction and commercial vehicle finance.
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