Trailers

    Trailer finance for hauliers and UK businesses

    Reviewed by Luca Scalzo, Director, WFYA Limited · Last reviewed

    Trailer finance spreads the cost of a commercial trailer over a fixed term, so a haulier or contractor can take on more work without paying for the trailer up front. It is usually arranged as hire purchase, where the business owns the trailer at the end, or as a lease.

    We Finance Your Asset is a credit broker, not a lender. We introduce trailer finance applications from UK businesses to lenders on our panel.

    Who can apply for trailer finance?

    • Haulage companies adding trailers to take on more loads.
    • Construction and plant businesses that move machinery on low loaders or plant trailers.
    • Agricultural, recovery and vehicle transport businesses.
    • Limited companies and LLPs.

    How does trailer finance work?

    1. 01

      Apply online

      Tell us about your business and the trailer in our application form.

    2. 02

      We review and approach lenders

      We check the details with you and introduce your application to lenders on our panel that finance trailers.

    3. 03

      Decision and payment

      If a lender approves, you sign the agreement with the lender and the lender pays the supplier.

    What can trailer finance cover?

    • Curtainsiders and box trailers.
    • Refrigerated trailers for chilled and frozen goods.
    • Tipper trailers and bulk tippers.
    • Low loaders and plant trailers.
    • Flatbeds, skeletal and container trailers.
    • Car transporter trailers.
    • New and used trailers, alone or together with the tractor unit: see HGV finance.

    What documents do you need to apply for trailer finance?

    Our application form asks for the information lenders need first, so it helps to have it ready:

    • Your company name and Companies House number.
    • The director's contact details, date of birth and home address history.
    • Details of the asset: what it is, its price, the supplier and, for vehicles, the registration and mileage if known.
    • The deposit you plan to put in and the term you would like.
    • Your last three months of business bank statements, which you can upload with the form.

    Lenders may then ask for more, such as recent accounts, proof of identity or the supplier's invoice, depending on the amount and your business.

    How long does trailer finance take?

    It depends on the asset, the lender and how quickly the documents arrive. The lender then makes its own decision; straightforward applications with complete documents move fastest, while larger amounts, used or specialist assets and newer businesses can take longer.

    What deposit and term should you expect for trailer finance?

    Most agreements involve some upfront payment, and the amount depends on the lender, the asset and your business. Newer businesses, older or specialist assets and larger amounts may need a bigger deposit. Terms are usually set by the expected working life of the asset. We will tell you what the lenders on our panel ask for once we know your details. We do not quote interest rates on this website because the cost depends on your circumstances: see what affects the cost of asset finance.

    Sources

    Checked on 31 October 2026.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I finance a trailer on its own?

    Yes. A trailer can be financed on its own agreement, or together with a tractor unit or other vehicles.

    Can I get finance on a used trailer?

    Yes. Lenders finance used trailers, looking at the age, condition and value. Limits on age at the end of the agreement vary by lender.

    Is a refrigerated trailer harder to finance?

    Not usually. Lenders treat refrigerated trailers like other commercial trailers, although the fridge unit's age and condition matter for used trailers.

    Hire purchase or lease for a trailer?

    Hire purchase suits businesses that want to own trailers and keep them for years. A lease can suit fleets that replace trailers on a fixed cycle. Your accountant can confirm the tax side. See hire purchase.

    What do lenders need to see?

    Usually details of the business, recent accounts or bank statements, the trailer specification and the supplier's quote. For larger or newer businesses lenders may ask for more.

    Talk to us about your asset

    Tell us what you want to finance. Our team reviews every application and comes back to you.

    Start your application

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    We Finance Your Asset

    We Finance Your Asset helps businesses grow by making asset financing simple and accessible. Working with multiple lenders to get you the best fit.

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    We Finance Your Asset is a trading name of WFYA Limited (company no. 13810779), registered office Wyvols Court, Basingstoke Road, Swallowfield, Reading RG7 1WY. WFYA Limited (FRN 1023831) is an appointed representative of ITC Compliance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 313486). We are a credit broker, not a lender. We work with a panel of lenders and are not independent. We may receive commission from the lender, which can vary by lender and product; we will tell you about it before you proceed. Finance is subject to status. Business finance for limited companies is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.