Gully Sucker Finance

Spread the cost of a gully sucker vacuum tanker from £25,000 to £150,000+ with flexible finance options. HP, lease, or refinance

Can you finance a gully sucker?

Yes, gully suckers are financed as a standard asset purchase, usually on hire purchase or a lease, with the machine itself acting as the security. UK prices typically run £25,000 to £150,000, and most deals are written over 24–72 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24–72 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Typical Cost

£25k – £150k

Approval Speed

24–72 hours

Longer review for larger vehicles

Rates From

6.2% APR

What would a gully sucker cost per month?

Gully Sucker price (ex VAT) £70,000

Deposit 10%

Agreement term 60 months

Annual interest rate 9%

Balloon payment £0

Your estimate

Indicative only. Not a quote and not an offer of finance.

Pre-filled with a typical gully sucker price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 6.8% APR
Term: 24–72 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Businesses wanting to own the equipment outright

Finance Lease

Rate: From 6.2% APR
Term: 24–72 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Tax efficient; claim 100% of payments against profit

Operating Lease

Rate: From 7.1% APR
Term: 24–48 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Refresh equipment without a deposit. Off balance sheet.

Representative example

On a purchase price of £70,000: a 10% deposit of £7,000, then 48 monthly payments of £1,477 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £77,896, including the deposit. The rate you are offered depends on your business and the asset.

What buyers actually specify

Guide prices for sizing a finance agreement, not quotes. Manufacturers in this market mostly price on application, so where a current UK list price could not be confirmed the row describes a specification class rather than naming a model. Your supplier quote is what the agreement is written against.

Machine or specification	Guide price	Type
Small Van-Mounted Gully Emptier (spec class)	£25,000 – £55,000	Van-Mounted Gully Emptier
Mid-Size Vacuum Tanker	£55,000 – £95,000	Mid-Size Vacuum Tanker
Large Chassis Gully and Sludge Tanker	£95,000 – £150,000	Large Chassis Tanker

Tax benefits

A gully sucker is a commercial vehicle for tax purposes, with the cost generally qualifying for capital allowances rather than being fully deductible as a running expense in the way a lease payment is. HP agreements let you claim these allowances directly, while lease payments are deducted as a running cost over the term instead. Given the size of this investment, most operators confirm the most tax-efficient structure with their accountant before committing.

Market context

Gully suckers and vacuum tankers are bought by drainage contractors, groundworks and civil engineering firms, and specialist gully and sludge clearance businesses working on local authority or private maintenance contracts. Tank capacity and vehicle size are chosen to match the type of work, a smaller van-mounted unit suits routine gully emptying rounds in built-up areas, while a larger chassis tanker is needed for culvert or sludge clearance work. As with other vehicle-based cleaning and drainage equipment bought against service contracts, it is worth checking that the finance term does not significantly outlast the underlying contract, since these vehicles are a substantial commitment. Replacement is generally driven by chassis mileage and wear on the vacuum pump and tank rather than a fixed age, and a used market exists through specialist tanker and municipal vehicle dealers.

Bad credit?

Some specialist lenders consider businesses with imperfect credit histories. You may need a larger deposit or personal guarantee, but options may be available. Fundably may use a soft credit check for matching, which does not affect your credit score. A hard check may happen if you choose to proceed with a lender.

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance a used gully sucker or vacuum tanker?

Yes, most lenders will finance used tankers from an established dealer, and given the price of new vehicles this is a common route for a drainage contractor bidding on a new contract without committing to a brand new vehicle. Chassis mileage, tank condition and the age and service history of the vacuum pump are all worth checking carefully before you apply, since they affect both the rate offered and how long the vehicle is likely to last in service.

Should I match the finance term to my drainage contract length?

It is worth considering, particularly for smaller contractors working mainly on one local authority or facilities management contract, since a five to six-year finance term can run well beyond a typical three-year service contract. Operators with a broader spread of clients and contracts are generally less exposed to this, since the vehicle can continue to be used elsewhere if one contract ends.

What deposit is typical for a gully sucker on finance?

Given the size of this investment, most lenders ask for a deposit of around 10 to 20%, and will want to see a solid trading history in drainage or groundworks, or evidence of the contract the vehicle will support, to approve finance at this level. Established operators with several years of trading and existing vehicles on finance are generally offered more favourable terms than a new entrant to the sector.

How long does gully sucker finance take to arrange?

Given the value involved, applications typically take several days rather than being approved same-day, since the lender needs to review the vehicle specification, your trading accounts and, for larger tankers, may request an independent valuation. Providing your accountant's figures and the supplier's quote upfront is the best way to avoid delays.