What are the typical minimum and maximum asset finance amounts?

Short answer

Asset finance deals commonly start from as little as £1,000 and can exceed several million pounds, depending on the lender, asset type and borrower profile. Typical ranges for UK SMEs are roughly £5,000–£500,000 with specialist lenders and manufacturers offering facilities well above £1m. Best Business Loans helps match businesses to the right providers for their required range and purpose.

Typical minimum asset finance amounts and why they matter

Most lenders set a practical minimum to cover administration costs and risk. For many mainstream lenders and brokers the effective minimum sits between £5,000 and £15,000. Smaller specialist or manufacturer finance plans may accept loans from around £1,000 when the asset is low-value and quick to repossess.

Minimum amounts matter because they affect affordability, fees and application routes. Smaller deals often attract higher relative fees or shorter terms to mitigate lender risk. If you need a low-value item, consider vendor finance, leasing or grouped purchases to meet lender thresholds.

Best Business Loans does not lend directly but can help you identify providers that accept lower-value asset finance. Our AI matching finds lenders and brokers whose minimums better fit modest funding needs. Start a Quick Quote to see which providers will consider your request.

Common maximums from mainstream lenders

Mainstream banks and large asset finance specialists commonly approve facilities from £500,000 up to £5m for established businesses. Limits at this scale depend on business turnover, profitability and the quality and marketability of the assets. For asset-backed lending that secures against high-value plant, fleets or machinery, facilities of £1m–£10m are possible with the right underwriting.

Many high-street banks use multiple decision layers for larger limits and require audited accounts and asset valuations. Security, covenants and personal guarantees become more common as amounts increase. Specialist funders and leasing houses may be more flexible on structure while accepting higher risk in return for higher pricing.

If you are exploring larger deals, use an introducer or broker to pre-check likely appetite and documentation needs. Best Business Loans connects you to lenders and brokers that regularly handle six-figure and multi-million-pound asset finance requests.

Factors that determine minimums and maximums

Several variables shape a lender’s minimum and maximum amounts: asset type, asset age, borrower credit, sector and purpose. New equipment and manufacturer warranty-backed assets usually attract higher maximums and lower margins. Older or specialised assets reduce maximum facility sizes because resale markets and residual values are less predictable.

Borrower strength is key: turnover, EBITDA, trading history and existing security influence how much a lender will advance. Lenders also consider the term required and whether residual value or balloon payments are part of the structure. Some funders specialise in specific sectors (for example transport or agriculture) and thus set size limits aligned to those markets.

For uncertain cases, it helps to provide an asset list, supplier quotes and projected cashflow to prospective lenders. Use our comparison process to identify funders that match your asset profile and funding size needs.

Typical product ranges: leasing, hire purchase and refinancing

Leasing and finance lease products commonly suit small to medium ticket sizes from about £5,000 to £500,000. These products allow you to use equipment with lower upfront cost while spreading payments over the useful life. Hire purchase is widely used for similar values and can extend to larger sums where businesses want ownership at the end of the term.

Vendor and manufacturer finance often support smaller deals and promotional rates for new equipment, sometimes starting from under £5,000. Fleet and vehicle finance providers regularly handle deals from £10,000 to several million for large fleets. Asset refinancing and sale-and-leaseback can release significant capital, with transactions easily exceeding £1m where the asset base is strong.

Choosing the right product depends on tax treatment, balance sheet impact and cashflow. Speak to a broker or use our Quick Quote to compare suitable products for the size of funding you need. For more detail on product types, see our main asset finance guide: Asset finance.

Compliance and clarity

We aim to present fair, clear and not misleading information in line with FCA and ASA guidance. Best Business Loans is an independent introducer and does not provide regulated lending itself. You will be connected only to appropriate lenders or brokers who can give formal terms if eligible.

How to prepare and next steps for different funding sizes

If you need £5k–£50k, collate supplier quotes, the business bank statements and VAT returns. These support quick decisions from vendor finance, specialist on-line funders or smaller asset lenders. Expect faster approvals but potentially higher relative fees for smaller sums.

For £50k–£500k, prepare management accounts, asset specifications and cashflow forecasts. Larger funders and banks will require more documentation and may perform valuations. For >£500k, engage a broker early to scope lender appetite, agree covenants, and coordinate valuations and legal security.

Submit a Quick Quote to start the matching process and get a Decision in Principle or eligibility check. Our platform will analyse your need and introduce lenders or brokers with suitable appetite and documented processes. There is no obligation and no fee to begin.

Key takeaways

• Minimum asset finance can be as low as £1,000 with specialist vendors, though mainstream minimums usually sit around £5k–£15k.
• Typical SME maximums range from £500k to several million, depending on asset type and borrower strength.
• Product type, asset age and borrower financials drive both minimums and maximums.
• Use an introducer or broker for six-figure deals and to match your request to lenders with appropriate appetite.
• Best Business Loans can match you to lenders and brokers for a free Quick Quote and eligibility check.

Ready to check your likely asset finance range? Complete a Quick Quote today and receive a fast eligibility check tailored to your asset type and required amount.

Disclaimer: Best Business Loans is an independent introducer and not a lender. Any finance terms are provided by third-party lenders or brokers after they assess your business and the requested asset finance.