Guide
A guide to purchasing a vehicle through your business
Read this guide to:
✅ Understand your options for vehicle finance
✅ Tips for a successful application
Read this guide to:
✅ Understand your options for vehicle finance
✅ Tips for a successful application
Whether you need a fleet of vehicles for your delivery services, or simply a reliable car for business meetings and client visits, investing in a vehicle can be a significant decision for any business owner.
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about purchasing a vehicle through your business, from the types of vehicles you can finance to tax considerations and the application process.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Business vehicle finance isn't limited to cars; it encompasses a wide range of vehicles used across various industries. Essentially, if the vehicle is used primarily for business purposes, it can typically be financed through your business.
Here’s a few examples of the types of vehicles you could finance through your business:
If you’re looking to get a vehicle for your business, there are several financing options available. Each option has its own pros and cons, so it's important to understand how they work before making a decision. Here are the main types of business vehicle finance:
1. Finance lease
A finance lease is a popular option for businesses that want to use a vehicle without owning it outright. With a finance lease, you make fixed monthly payments to use the vehicle over a period of time. At the end of the term, you typically have the option to either return the vehicle, extend the lease, or purchase the vehicle at its residual value.
2. Hire purchase
Hire purchase is another common financing method where you pay for the vehicle in instalments over a fixed period. Unlike a finance lease, hire purchase is for business owners who have the intention of owning the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Once all payments, including any interest, are made, ownership of the vehicle is transferred to your business.
3. Contract hire
Contract hire is similar to a finance lease but typically involves longer term agreements. You’ll pay fixed monthly rental fees for the use of the vehicle over an agreed-upon period. Unlike finance lease, you don't have the option to buy the vehicle at the end of the contract. Instead, you return the vehicle to the lender, and if you need a new vehicle, you can enter into a new contract.
4. Operating lease
An operating lease is a flexible option for businesses that need vehicles for a shorter period or want to avoid the risks associated with ownership. You pay fixed monthly rental fees for the use of the vehicle for an agreed-upon period, typically shorter than the vehicle's useful life. At the end of the term, you return the vehicle to the lender without any further obligations.
If you’re trying to decide whether to lease or finance a vehicle, you should consider factors such as your budget, how frequently you’ll use the vehicle and whether you would prefer to own it at the end of the term. Leasing may offer lower monthly payments and the ability to upgrade regularly, but financing provides eventual ownership and potentially greater long term savings.
Here's a breakdown of some of the benefits of financing a vehicle through your business, rather than buying it outright:
Here are the key tax considerations your business should be aware of:
If you finance a vehicle through your business, you may benefit from Corporation Tax relief through Capital Allowances. If you choose to finance through hire purchase, you'll own the vehicle at the end of the agreement. This not only allows you to claim up to 100% tax relief through Capital Allowances but also enables you to claim interest paid in your monthly repayments. As a result, your business profits decrease, leading to potential savings in Corporation Tax.
On the other hand, leasing a vehicle means you won't own it. Currently, this does not make it eligible to claim Capital Allowances. However, you can still claim monthly rental payments, offering opportunities to reduce your Corporation Tax liability.
In the UK’s Spring Budget 2024, Jeremy Hunt announced that Full Expensing Capital Allowances would be extended to vehicle leasing. The legislation for this is yet to be published, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re considering leasing a vehicle. You could speak with your accountant when considering finance to be clear on the current legislation and tax relief that applies.
To successfully apply for business vehicle finance, you'll typically need:
If you're looking to purchase a car using vehicle finance, use the following checklist:
Yes, asset finance can cover a broad range of items beyond vehicles. This can include machinery, technology, furniture, property, renewable energy equipment, medical equipment and more. Essentially, if it's a tangible asset that your business needs, there's likely a finance option available for it.
Yes. Securing business vehicle finance with bad credit can be challenging, but it's not impossible.
As vehicle finance will be secured against the asset you’re financing, there’s less risk of the lender being unable to reclaim their losses. This means that some lenders may still be able to offer you a loan with a poor business credit score.
However, to enhance your chances of approval and improve your access to better rates, you can review your credit profile for any inaccuracies and take steps to improve it.
The monthly cost of a company car varies based on factors like the type of car, your purchase or lease terms, the interest rate you’re offered, insurance premiums, fuel costs, maintenance expenses and road tax.
To estimate how much it will cost to finance a company car each month, you should factor in how much of a deposit you have, how much you’re borrowing and the length of the term. You can use our Business Loan Calculator to get an estimate of your monthly repayments.
Yes, you can use a business loan to purchase a vehicle for your company. A business loan will provide the funds directly to your business, which you can use to purchase a vehicle or any other business-related expense. With a business loan, you own the vehicle outright, and you repay the loan amount plus interest over the term.
However, depending on your business’ needs, you may want to consider a type of vehicle finance to purchase a vehicle instead. If you’re unsure which would be best, you can speak with one of our funding specialists. They’ll use their expertise to help you find a suitable option.
The main difference between personal vehicle finance and business vehicle finance lies in who owns and uses the vehicle. Personal vehicle finance is designed for individuals looking to purchase a vehicle primarily for personal use, such as commuting, family trips, or leisure activities.
Business vehicle finance, on the other hand, is specifically aimed towards businesses who require vehicles for commercial purposes, such as deliveries, client meetings, or transporting goods.
Business vehicle finance can provide some tax benefits, with some payments being deductible against taxable profits. However personal vehicle finance does not offer any tax benefits.
