What types of engineering equipment can be financed (eg, CNC, robotics, metrology)?
Overview: engineering equipment finance in the UK
Short answer: Most capital equipment used by engineering and manufacturing businesses can be financed — including CNC machinery, robotics, metrology and inspection systems, fabrication tools, test equipment, software, and certain installation costs.
Finance providers typically support assets with a clear serial number, residual value, and an expected working life of 3+ years, via hire purchase, leasing, or asset refinance. New and used equipment can be considered, from OEMs or approved resellers, with options for stage payments on bespoke builds.
Updated October 2025 — UK-focused guidance for established limited companies. This page is general information, not financial advice.
CNC, machining centres, and fabrication equipment
Modern machine tools are among the most frequently financed assets in engineering. This includes CNC machining centres, vertical and horizontal mills, turning centres and lathes, 5-axis machines, mill-turns, and EDM (wire and sinker) systems.
Fabrication equipment commonly financed spans laser cutters (fibre and CO₂), plasma and oxy-fuel tables, waterjet cutters, press brakes, guillotines, punches, tube lasers, and welding equipment (MIG/TIG/MAG) with fume extraction.
Ancillaries and tooling can often be bundled, subject to lender policy. Examples include ATCs, workholding, chucks, tool presetters, coolant systems, swarf conveyors, and probing systems.
Surface finishing and post-processing assets are also common, such as deburring machines, shot blasting cabinets, vibratory finishing, bead blasting, polishing stations, and industrial washers.
For sheet metal shops, finance can extend to roll forming, notching, bending, folding systems, and CNC-controlled backgauges. Many lenders accept used assets with inspection reports and clear provenance from reputable dealers.
Common finance structures for machine tools
– Hire Purchase (HP) with or without a deposit, often with VAT deferred to reclaim timing.
– Finance Lease with residual value, potentially lowering monthly outgoings.
– Sale-and-leaseback or asset refinance on owned machines to release working capital.
Robotics, automation, and material handling
Industrial robots, cobots, gantry systems, and robotic welding cells are routinely financed, whether standalone or integrated into production lines. Integrator-supplied systems with safety fencing, sensors, and programming can be included.
Automation accessories frequently supported include vision systems, end-of-arm tooling, grippers, rotary tables, indexing conveyors, palletising cells, and robotic tending for CNC or injection moulding.
For intralogistics, asset finance is common for conveyors, sorters, AGVs/AMRs, automated pallet shuttles, vertical lift modules (VLMs), carousels, racking, and forklifts and telehandlers. Battery-electric fleets may qualify for green or sustainability-linked options.
Packaging and end-of-line automation — from form-fill-seal to case erectors, labellers, sealers, shrink-wrap tunnels, and checkweighers — are typical candidates when they carry serialised equipment tags and predictable lifespans.
Where automation projects involve multi-stage delivery, some providers offer stage payment facilities or vendor milestone funding, helping cash flow through design, build, FAT/SAT, and commissioning.
Automation extras that can be covered
– Integration, programming, guarding, and on-site commissioning, commonly bundled as part of the asset cost.
– Training, spares kits, and warranty extensions are sometimes financeable, depending on lender appetite.
– Upgrades like servo drives, PLCs, HMIs, and safety relays, provided they’re tied to an identifiable asset.
Metrology, testing, and quality control
Quality is mission-critical, so lenders are well-versed in financing metrology and inspection assets. Typical items include coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), portable arms, laser trackers, surface and form measurement, and optical/vision systems.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) — such as ultrasonic, dye penetrant, eddy current, hardness testers, and X-ray/CT systems — can also be eligible, subject to value and location considerations (especially for radiological kit).
Electronics and PCB quality equipment is often financeable, including AOI, SPI, X-ray inspection, flying probe testers, boundary scan systems, and environmental test chambers for temperature, humidity, and vibration.
Production measurement tools commonly included are micrometers, height gauges, bore gauges, roughness testers, torque testers, and calibration benches. Bundled calibration contracts may be possible if tied to the asset agreement.
Data capture and quality software can be incorporated with hardware, such as SPC packages, CMM programming software, and reporting tools, where accepted as part of an overall metrology solution.
Industry examples
– Precision machining: CMM with Renishaw or Hexagon probes and QC software.
– Aerospace: laser tracker for fuselage alignment and tool calibration.
– Medical devices: vision inspection systems for validated, traceable checking.
Digital controls, software, and Industry 4.0 upgrades
Finance can cover the digital layer that underpins modern engineering. Examples include CAD/CAM licences, simulation tools, nesting software, and PDM/PLM systems, either standalone or bundled with hardware.
Manufacturing IT and OT infrastructure may be eligible, including servers, industrial PCs, HMIs, PLCs, SCADA, MES, and data historians. Machine monitoring and OEE platforms, IoT gateways, and sensors can also be financed as part of a connected upgrade.
Cybersecurity appliances, industrial firewalls, network switching, and storage for design files and NC programs may be included where they form an integral part of the production asset ecosystem.
Site services that support production, such as air compressors, dryers, vacuum pumps, dust extraction, chillers, and process cooling, are frequently funded as capital equipment with identifiable serialised assets.
Energy-efficiency upgrades are increasingly relevant, including variable speed drives (VSDs), high-efficiency motors, LED plant lighting, heat recovery, and solar PV paired with power quality and monitoring equipment for factories.
Software and “soft asset” notes
– Pure software can be financeable with certain providers, often over shorter terms.
– Bundling software with machines may widen lender appetite and rate options.
– Annual support and maintenance can sometimes be included for the first year.
Specialist engineering assets, soft costs, and how financing typically works
Beyond general machining and fabrication, finance covers specialist assets for plastics, composites, food, pharma, and electronics. Examples are injection moulding machines, extruders, autoclaves, curing ovens, SMT lines, reflow ovens, wave solder, and selective solder.
Process and packaging lines for FMCG, bottling, canning, and filling are commonly financed, along with metal detection, inline inspection, CIP skids, and cleanroom fit-out for pharma and med-tech manufacturing.
Mobile plant and site equipment — such as telehandlers, scissor lifts, MEWPs, compressors, generators, and site cabins — are also within scope, particularly for engineering contractors and maintenance providers.
Many lenders will consider used or refurbished assets, auction purchases, or imported machines, provided documentation, valuations, CE/UKCA compliance, and supplier credentials are clear. Warranty and install/commissioning evidence helps.
Soft costs like delivery, installation, training, commissioning, and first-year support can often be wrapped into the agreement with the asset. Longer-term service contracts may be treated separately depending on policy.
How engineering equipment finance typically works
– Structures: Hire Purchase, Finance Lease, Operating Lease, stage payments for bespoke builds, and refinance/sale-and-leaseback on owned assets.
– Terms: Commonly 2–7 years aligned to asset life; seasonal or stepped payments may be available to match cash flow.
– VAT: VAT-deferral and balloon/residual structures can improve monthlies and reclaim timing.
Eligibility and documents at a glance
– Established UK limited companies and LLPs are the core market; lenders review trading history, affordability, and credit profile.
– Typical documents include latest accounts, bank statements, asset quotation, and supplier details; directors’ guarantees and security may be requested.
– Providers may conduct credit checks and site visits; approvals and terms vary by lender, sector, and asset class.
Fast next steps with Best Business Loans
Best Business Loans does not lend directly; we use AI matching and a UK network of lenders and brokers to connect you with relevant providers. Tell us what you plan to purchase and your budget, and we’ll introduce suitable options for your sector.
To explore tailored options for your workshop, production line, or lab, start with a free Quick Quote and outline your assets, timing, and supplier. If you operate in engineering or manufacturing, you may also find our engineering business loans guide helpful before you submit your details.
Important: All finance is subject to status, approval, and terms. Security may be required, and failure to keep up repayments may result in repossession of the asset. Information here is for general guidance only and not financial advice.
Quick FAQs
Can I finance used machines? Yes, many lenders support used or refurbished assets from reputable dealers, with inspection reports and clear serial numbers.
What about software and installation? Software, installation, training, and commissioning can often be bundled with the hardware, depending on provider policy.
Can stage payments be funded? Stage and milestone payments are possible for bespoke builds and automation projects with certain lenders.
Is metrology equipment financeable? Yes — CMMs, vision systems, laser trackers, and calibration benches are widely eligible.
Do you provide the finance? No — Best Business Loans acts as an independent introducer, matching you with lenders or brokers who may be able to help.
Ready to explore asset finance for your engineering equipment? Complete your Quick Quote for a no-obligation eligibility check and be introduced to suitable UK providers.
Fair, clear, and not misleading: We don’t guarantee offers, rates, or approval. Eligibility and pricing depend on your business profile, asset type, and lender criteria. Additional costs, taxes, and fees may apply. Always review full terms before proceeding.