Business Van Leasing for Sole Traders and New Businesses

At www.vanleasing.com we help newly incorporated limited companies, limited liability partnerships or self-employed sole traders.

Yes you can, you might just be asked to share a little more information. We know that many leasing companies are unable or unwilling to deal with newly incorporated limited companies or self-employed sole traders but we take a different approach by helping companies get off the ground.

Yes. VanLeasing.com works with lending partners who specialise in new business finance. If your business has been trading for less than 24 months, you can typically still secure a van lease by providing recent business bank statements, proof of registration, and, in some cases, a personal guarantee from a company director. You do not need two years of filed accounts to apply.

No, not at the enquiry stage. We carry out a soft credit check initially, which is not visible to other lenders and has no impact on your credit score. A hard credit search is only performed once you’ve chosen to proceed with a specific finance agreement, so that you can explore your options freely.

When you lease a van, there are criteria that you have to meet. This will involve looking at the bank account and director’s information, so can be a concern for businesses that have very little or nothing to show in terms of revenue. All businesses, new or existing will be asked to share their business details, owner details, and bank details along with a full UK driving licence. 

For a start-up business, it’s likely you’ll be asked to provide further information such as a few months of business bank statements, and draft company accounts.

For a new business, we’ll typically ask for three to six months of business bank statements, your Companies House certificate or UTR number, a copy of your UK driving licence, and proof of address. If your business is very early stage, a personal guarantee from a director and evidence of contracts or confirmed work may also be requested. There’s no obligation at the enquiry stage.

Yes. Sole traders who haven’t yet filed accounts with HMRC can still apply. Instead of formal accounts, you’ll need to provide recent business bank statements, your UTR number, proof of identity, and proof of address. Evidence of current contracts or confirmed work will strengthen your application.

It depends on your circumstances. If your limited company has been trading for less than two years and has a limited financial history, most lenders will ask for a personal guarantee from at least one director. This means the director is personally liable for the lease payments if the company cannot pay. For sole traders, the lease is already in your personal name, so a separate guarantee isn’t needed. Providing a guarantee can improve your chances of approval and may help secure better rates.

Most applications receive an initial decision within 24 to 48 hours. Straightforward cases can be approved on the same day. Applications from new businesses or those with complex credit histories may take three to five working days if the lender requests additional documentation. Once approved, delivery of an in-stock van can follow within two weeks.

We will require details of the director. If you’re applying on behalf of them, that’s totally fine we will just need to get their details from you.

It’s written in vehicle insurance law that your vehicle must be kept insured at all times. As well as being a legal requirement it’s also up to you to keep your vehicle insured on a fully comprehensive motor policy during the period of your agreement with us.

It’s your responsibility to get your own van insurance sorted, and this needs to be on a fully comprehensive basis. When that’s done, you just need to send us a copy of the certificate prior to the vehicle delivery date.

Yes, you can apply company decals to a leased van—in fact, it’s a great way to promote your business while you’re on the road.

However, it’s important to be aware that some types of leasing agreements require the vehicle to be returned at the end of the term. In these cases, any decals or branding must be professionally removed before the vehicle is handed back.

If you’re planning to brand your van, it’s best to use a reputable supplier who can both apply and remove the decals properly when the time comes.

Leasing a van in your first year of trading is possible, but you’ll likely need to provide more supporting documentation than an established business. Most funders will ask for three months of business bank statements, proof of business activity (such as invoices or contracts), and will run a personal credit check on the director or sole trader. A higher initial rental – 6 or 9 months rather than the standard 3 – is typically required. Some funders also ask for a personal guarantee. At VanLeasing.com, we process new business applications every day and know which funders are most likely to approve first-year businesses in your sector. Start with our online application, and we’ll match you to the right funder.

Startups can usually access the same van leasing deals as established businesses, though the terms may differ. The main options are business contract hire (fixed monthly payments, return the van at the end) and finance lease (similar structure, but you handle the van’s disposal at the end). For startups that aren’t sure about long-term commitments, short-term leasing (6–24 months, rolling contract) is also available – it costs more per month but gives you flexibility while the business finds its feet. The most cost-effective route for most startups is a 36- or 48-month contract hire with a 6-month initial rental, which keeps monthly costs low while giving funders the security they need to approve a newer business.