Can I finance used or refurbished medical equipment and IT systems?
Short answer: yes — many UK lenders fund quality used and refurbished assets
Yes, many UK asset finance providers will finance used or refurbished medical equipment and IT systems, provided the items are traceable, serviceable, and sensibly valued. Established SMEs in healthcare, diagnostics, veterinary, dental, care, clinical research, and related sectors regularly fund pre-owned devices and enterprise-grade IT infrastructure through hire purchase, finance lease, or refinance. While criteria differ by lender, strong provenance, warranties or service agreements, and up-to-date compliance paperwork are key to eligibility.
Best Business Loans does not supply finance directly; we help you find suitable UK lenders and brokers who actively support used and refurbished assets. Our AI-driven matching connects your business with providers aligned to your sector, asset type, and budget. Submit a Quick Quote to check indicative eligibility without obligation.
Who this applies to
This guidance suits established UK businesses that use clinical devices or commercial IT, including clinics, labs, dental practices, pharmacies, care homes, imaging centres, NHS suppliers, and health tech firms. It also fits multi-site groups upgrading networks, servers, or cybersecurity while managing cash flow. If you are undertaking a broader premises refit, you can also explore project-linked funding such as building services loans to cover M&E, cabling, and fit-out works.
At a glance: what lenders look for
- Clear asset provenance: supplier invoices, serial numbers, service history, and ownership.
- Condition and risk: age, usage hours, parts availability, calibration, and compliance.
- Commercial case: business stability, affordability, and intended use.
Start with a Quick Quote and outline the make, model, year, and source of the asset. Our platform helps you reach providers who can assess the asset’s suitability and guide the best structure for your cash flow.
What used and refurbished assets can be financed?
In medical settings, finance may be available for used or refurbished imaging equipment (e.g., ultrasound, X-ray, C-arm), surgical devices, endoscopy towers, dental chairs and cabinetry, sterilisation units, patient monitoring, infusion pumps, and laboratory analysers. Rebuilt or OEM-refurbished kit with a warranty and calibration certificate is often preferred. Some lenders also consider ambulance stretchers, decontamination systems, therapy devices, and rehabilitation equipment when documentation is complete.
For IT, many providers will fund pre-owned servers, storage arrays, switches, firewalls, Wi-Fi infrastructure, clinical workstations, PACS/VNA systems, and approved medical-grade monitors. Enterprise-class used IT sourced from recognised remarketers or manufacturer refurb programmes tends to be more acceptable than consumer-grade items.
Common inclusions beyond the core asset
- Installation, commissioning, calibration, and training costs where itemised.
- Service and maintenance plans, extended warranties, and software licences.
- Peripherals, accessories, PACS add-ons, and racking or UPS for IT rooms.
Some “soft costs” can be bundled within the finance amount if they are integral to first use. Lenders will usually require supplier quotes and split out recurring subscription elements where applicable. For lifespan-sensitive assets, they may align the term with expected useful life and warranty coverage.
What may not be eligible
- Unverifiable items without serial numbers, proof of origin, or inspection reports.
- Assets near end-of-life with poor parts support or missing compliance paperwork.
- Consumer electronics or domestic-grade IT unless critical to business use.
If you are unsure, include the asset details in your Quick Quote. A specialist broker or lender can advise whether the item is fundable and, if not, what alternative route fits best.
How does financing used or refurbished kit work?
Hire Purchase (HP): You pay a deposit and fixed instalments; you own the asset at the end, often via a nominal option-to-purchase fee. HP is popular for clinical devices with long service life, where ownership supports resale value and control.
Finance Lease: You rent the asset over a fixed term and can extend, upgrade, or return it at expiry. It suits equipment that evolves quickly or where you want to manage capital outlay. Secondary rentals are often lower, but you do not automatically own the asset.
Operating Lease: A subset of leasing focused on using rather than owning, often aligned to shorter lifecycles. It can keep payments lower but comes with return conditions and usage expectations.
Asset refinance / sale-and-leaseback
If your business already owns medical or IT assets outright, you may be able to release capital by refinancing them. The lender purchases the asset and leases or HPs it back, allowing you to spread the cost while freeing cash for growth or working capital. This is subject to valuation, age limits, and acceptable condition.
Typical terms and documents
- Terms usually 24–72 months depending on asset class, age, and residual value.
- Deposits vary by credit profile; VAT handling depends on product structure.
- Documents often include full supplier quote, serial numbers, service records, calibration certificates, and any CE/UKCA or MHRA-relevant documentation.
Lenders may request business bank statements, filed accounts, and management information to test affordability. Where used equipment is sourced from a private seller, an inspection or independent valuation is common to confirm condition and fair value.
Supplier choice and sourcing
Many lenders prefer reputable refurbishers, manufacturer-approved resellers, or OEM-certified repair centres. This lowers risk, improves service continuity, and supports better terms. Private sales can be considered with additional checks, but timelines may extend due to due diligence.
Costs, criteria, and risk considerations
Rates and fees vary by credit profile, asset age, and sector risk. Used equipment generally attracts slightly higher pricing than brand-new due to residual and reliability uncertainty. Strong warranties, maintenance contracts, and clear provenance can improve terms.
Lenders may set age-at-start and age-at-end caps for clinical devices, especially imaging, endoscopy, and sterilisation equipment. Enterprise IT often has shorter acceptable lifecycles than mechanical kit. For software-heavy systems, version support and licence transfer rights matter.
Compliance and safety
- Ensure traceability, calibration, and decontamination certificates where relevant.
- For medical devices, confirm CE/UKCA status and supplier conformity evidence.
- Keep MHRA guidance in mind for patient-critical equipment and modifications.
For IT in clinical environments, verify compatibility with your EHR/PACS, cybersecurity standards, and data protection obligations. Include networking upgrades, redundancy, and power protection in your total project plan, not just device cost.
Pros and cons of financing used/refurbished
- Pros: Lower acquisition price, faster ROI, sustainability gains, and broader choice of models.
- Cons: Shorter remaining life, possible parts constraints, and tighter lender criteria for provenance and condition.
If you plan a wider refit that includes air handling, electrical upgrades, or clinical-grade cabling, consider combining asset finance with project funding. Our guide to building services loans explains options to spread the cost of M&E and facilities work alongside your equipment plan.
How to get started, key takeaways, and compliance notes
Step 1: Define the assets and scope. List make, model, year, condition, expected life, and any warranty or service cover. Include installation, calibration, and training where required.
Step 2: Gather proofs. Request supplier quotations, serial numbers, service histories, and compliance certificates. For IT, add licence details and support terms.
Step 3: Check affordability. Outline your budget, preferred term, and how payments fit cash flow. Prepare recent bank statements and management accounts to speed decisions.
Step 4: Submit a Quick Quote. Use BestBusinessLoans.ai to share your details once and be connected to suitable lenders or brokers who support used assets. There is no obligation to proceed.
Step 5: Compare offers and proceed. Review structures such as HP, finance lease, or refinance, assess total cost of ownership, and pick the route that aligns with your clinical and IT roadmap.
Key takeaways
- Yes, you can finance used or refurbished medical and IT assets if they are traceable, compliant, and fairly valued.
- Hire Purchase, Finance Lease, and Refinance are the most common routes for pre-owned kit.
- Provenance, warranty, and calibration are critical for medical equipment eligibility and better terms.
- Soft costs like installation and training can often be included if itemised and integral to first use.
- Our AI matching helps you find providers actively lending in healthcare and tech, saving time and effort.
Important information
Best Business Loans is an independent introducer. We do not lend or offer financial advice, and we do not guarantee approval or the lowest rate. Finance is subject to status, affordability, credit checks, and lender criteria; additional documents may be required.
All financial promotions should be clear, fair, and not misleading. We aim to present balanced information to help you make informed decisions, and to comply with applicable UK advertising and platform policies. Terms, availability, and eligibility can change without notice, and this page is general information, not advice.
If you are ready to explore options, complete your Quick Quote now for a free, no-obligation eligibility check. You will be introduced to relevant providers who can discuss your assets and provide indicative terms quickly.
Updated October 2025 — BestBusinessLoans.ai helps UK businesses find suitable finance providers through AI matching and a professional network.