Finance Assets arranges hire purchase, leasing and contract hire for UK limited companies buying new or used HGV and artic trailers.
HGV trailer finance spreads the cost of a trailer over 2 to 7 years, so the cash a haulier would tie up in the purchase stays in the business. We fund every common semi-trailer, from curtainsiders and fridge trailers to low loaders and tippers, on their own or alongside the tractor units that pull them.
Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed September 2026.
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The short version
- HGV trailer finance lets a haulier spread the cost of a new or used trailer over 2 to 7 years.
- With hire purchase, the operator owns the trailer after the final payment.
- Trailers have long working lives, so lenders are often comfortable funding longer terms.
- Contract hire adds maintenance to a fixed monthly rental, and the trailer goes back at the end.
- Finance Assets arranges trailer finance for UK limited companies and LLPs.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trailers covered | Curtainsiders, box vans, fridge trailers, flatbeds, low loaders, tippers, tankers and skeletal trailers |
| Deal size | From a single trailer to a whole fleet, with or without tractor units |
| Terms | Usually 2 to 5 years, and up to 7 years for new trailers |
| Paid upfront | Hire purchase: often a 10% deposit plus VAT. Leases and contract hire: usually 1 to 3 rentals in advance |
| New or used | Both, including trailers from other operators and many auction purchases |
| Who we help | UK limited companies and LLPs |
HGV trailers we finance
Lenders will fund almost any HGV, LGV or artic trailer used in the business, from a standard curtainsider to specialist bulk and plant trailers. The names overlap: LGV (large goods vehicle) is the legal term and HGV the everyday one, and an artic trailer is the semi-trailer an articulated lorry pulls, so the finance works the same whichever name you use.
- Curtainside trailers, including double deck and high cube curtainsiders
- Box van and dry freight trailers
- Refrigerated fridge and reefer trailers, including the fridge unit
- Flatbed and step frame trailers
- Low loaders and plant trailers
- Tipper trailers and walking floor trailers
- Tanker trailers for fuel, chemicals, food and bulk powders
- Skeletal and container chassis trailers
- Drawbar and demountable trailers for rigid HGVs
For the tractor units, rigid HGVs, vans and other vehicles we fund, see haulage finance.
New, used and imported trailers
New and used trailers are both widely funded, and the age of a used trailer mainly affects how long the lender will lend over.
- New trailers from UK and European manufacturers, including build slots where the maker takes a deposit before the trailer is built.
- Used trailers from dealers, other operators and auctions. Lenders usually want the chassis number, test history and a proper invoice.
- Imported trailers, with some lenders, once the trailer has its UK paperwork in place.
- Extras such as tail lifts, fridge units, tyres, livery and telematics can often be added to the agreement.
- Trailers you already own can be refinanced to release cash, usually through a sale and hire purchase back.
Hire purchase, leasing and contract hire compared
The main choice with HGV trailer finance is whether you want to own the trailer at the end. Hire purchase leads to ownership, while leases and contract hire keep the trailer with the lender. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.
| Type | How it works | At the end |
|---|---|---|
| Hire purchase | A deposit, then fixed monthly payments. You are treated as the owner for tax from the start | You own the trailer after the final payment and a small option fee |
| Finance lease | Rentals over most of the trailer’s working life, usually with 1 to 3 in advance | Keep it on a small secondary rental, or sell it and receive most of the proceeds |
| Operating lease | Lower rentals, priced around the trailer’s expected resale value | Hand it back, extend, or move to a newer trailer |
| Contract hire | A fixed rental for an agreed term, often including maintenance and tyres | Hand it back. Damage beyond fair wear and tear is charged |
| Type | VAT | Tax treatment, usually |
|---|---|---|
| Hire purchase | VAT on the full price is usually paid upfront, then reclaimed on your VAT return | You may be able to claim capital allowances, and the interest is usually deductible |
| Finance lease | Added to each rental | Rentals are usually an allowable business expense |
| Operating lease | Added to each rental | Rentals are usually an allowable business expense |
| Contract hire | Added to each rental, including any maintenance element | Rentals are usually an allowable business expense |
Trailers are not cars, so a VAT-registered business can usually reclaim the VAT in full, whichever type of finance it uses. Tax depends on your circumstances, so check the treatment with your accountant.
Hire purchase for HGV, LGV and artic trailers
Hire purchase for artic trailers is the usual choice for operators who run their trailers for many years, and hire purchase for HGV and LGV trailers works on exactly the same basis. You pay a deposit, often around 10% plus the VAT, then fixed monthly payments, and the trailer is yours after the last one. Because trailers last well, lenders are often comfortable with terms of up to 7 years on new ones, and a balloon payment can lower the monthly cost further.
Finance lease for HGV, LGV and artic trailers
A finance lease for artic trailers suits operators who want to keep deposits and VAT outlay low across a growing fleet, and a finance lease for HGV or LGV trailers works the same way. VAT is added to each rental rather than paid upfront, and the lender keeps ownership. At the end of the primary term you can usually keep the trailer on a small secondary rental, or sell it to a third party and receive most of the proceeds.
Operating lease for HGV, LGV and artic trailers
An operating lease for artic trailers prices the rentals around what the trailer should be worth when it comes back, and the lender carries that resale risk. An operating lease for HGV or LGV trailers is priced the same way. It suits operators who renew trailers on a cycle, or who need newer trailers for a contract with a fixed end date. Use and condition limits are agreed at the start, because they affect the trailer’s return value.
Contract hire for artic, HGV and LGV trailers
Artic contract hire puts the trailer, its maintenance and often its tyres and annual test preparation into one fixed rental. HGV trailer contract hire and LGV trailer contract hire work the same way. It is the common route for fleets that want predictable costs and no resale risk, and artic contract hire is available to operators across the UK, including London and the South East. The trailer goes back at the end, so read the return conditions before you sign. For HGV contract hire on the tractor units themselves, see haulage finance.
HGV trailer finance costs: a worked example
A new £40,000 curtainside trailer on a 5-year hire purchase costs about £747 a month, or about £641 a month with a 20% balloon.
| Item | Standard | With 20% balloon |
|---|---|---|
| Trailer price (excl. VAT) | £40,000 | £40,000 |
| Deposit (10%) | £4,000 | £4,000 |
| VAT paid upfront | £8,000 | £8,000 |
| Monthly payment (60 months) | £747.30 | £641.23 |
| Final balloon payment | None | £8,000 |
| Total interest | £8,838 | £10,474 |
The balloon saves about £106 a month, at a cost of roughly £1,636 in extra interest, since a larger balance is outstanding throughout the term. Lenders can often defer the VAT for a few months as well, which helps cash flow on a fleet order.
Illustration calculated in September 2026, assuming an interest rate of 9% a year. It is not a quote. Your rate depends on your trading history, credit profile and the trailer.
How HGV trailer finance works
Most trailer finance deals follow the same five steps, from first enquiry to collecting the trailer.
- Tell us about the trailer: its type, age, price and supplier, and whether a tractor unit is part of the deal
- We match the lenders on our panel that fund trailers of that type and age
- We come back with the options that are realistic and what they are likely to cost
- The lender reviews your accounts, bank statements and operator’s licence and makes a credit decision
- You sign the agreement, the lender pays the supplier and you collect the trailer
What lenders ask for
Lenders ask for much the same documents on trailer finance as on other asset finance, plus the details of your operator’s licence.
- Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts for newer operators
- Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
- Your operator’s licence number and the vehicles and trailers it authorises
- The supplier invoice or quote, showing the trailer’s chassis number
- A fleet list and details of any existing finance agreements
- Photo ID and address history for each director
Who we can help
We arrange asset finance for UK limited companies and LLPs. We are not authorised by the FCA, so we cannot arrange agreements of £25,000 or less for sole traders or small partnerships, or finance for personal use.
HGV trailer finance FAQs
Can I get finance on a used HGV trailer?
Yes. Lenders regularly fund used HGV trailers from dealers, other operators and auctions. They usually want the chassis number, test history and a supplier invoice, and some will ask for photos or an inspection on older trailers. Older trailers may be offered a shorter term, so the agreement ends while the trailer still has a sensible resale value.
How long can I finance a trailer for?
Most trailer finance runs over 2 to 5 years, and new trailers can often be funded over up to 7 years. Lenders match the term to the trailer’s type, age and expected working life. A longer term lowers the monthly payment but adds interest, and a balloon payment can lower it further.
Can I finance a trailer and a tractor unit together?
Yes. A tractor unit and its trailers can usually go on one agreement, or on separate agreements with the same lender, even when they come from different suppliers. Funding them together keeps the payments in one place and means the lender assesses the whole combination at once.
How do I check for finance on a used HGV trailer?
Ask the seller for written confirmation that any finance has been settled, and run a finance check on the trailer’s chassis number where the check provider covers trailers. When you fund a used trailer through a lender, the lender usually runs its own checks and settles any existing finance directly as part of the purchase.
What is the difference between trailer contract hire and hire purchase?
With hire purchase the business owns the trailer at the end and handles its own maintenance. With contract hire the trailer goes back at the end of the term, and servicing and repairs can be built into the rental. Hire purchase usually suits trailers you will run for many years, and contract hire suits fleets that renew on a set cycle.
Do I need an operator’s licence to finance an HGV trailer?
Usually, if the business will run the trailer itself. Goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes need an operator’s licence, and lenders ask for the licence number and authorised vehicle numbers as part of the application. A newer operator with a fresh licence can still be funded, although a larger deposit may be needed.
Get an HGV trailer finance quote
Tell us about the trailer
Send us the trailer type, the price and a few details about your fleet. We will come back with the options that are realistic and what they are likely to cost.
About the author
Marcus Wright is the owner and founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, which trades as Finance Assets. He has worked in financial services since 2008, beginning his career at Santander, and has been a commercial finance broker since March 2019.
He founded Bolton Business Finance in 2020 to give businesses access to the whole lending market rather than one bank’s own product range. The firm is a member of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers and works with a panel of 135+ lenders. Call 0161 546 9128.
Finance Assets is a trading name of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, an independent commercial finance brokerage, not a lender. We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and can only complete non-regulated introductions. All lending is for business purposes only. Registered address: Westgate House, 1 Westgate Avenue, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 4RF. Company number 12495909.