Can you finance a press brake?

Yes, press brakes 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 £15,000 to £400,000, and most deals are written over 12–84 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24–48 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Press Brake Finance: Compare Rates from 200+ Lenders

Q: Can I finance a used press brake?

Yes. Most lenders will finance a used press brake up to around 10 years old, and CNC models generally retain their value well because the core structure and back gauge hold up over decades of use even as control systems are upgraded. For a machine over 5 years old, most lenders will ask for an independent valuation and a look at the maintenance history before approving finance, since ram condition and back gauge accuracy affect the machine's real working value more than its age alone. Buying from a known dealer with a proper service record will usually make this step faster than a private sale.

Q: What deposit do I need?

For hire purchase, most lenders ask for a deposit of 10-20% of the press brake's price, while finance leases and operating leases are typically available with no deposit at all, which helps a fabricator keep cash free for material stock and wages. A larger deposit reduces the monthly payment and can help secure a better rate, which is worth considering on a higher-tonnage CNC machine where the price difference between models is significant. Established fabrication businesses with a strong trading history and existing machinery can sometimes negotiate a lower deposit than the standard range, particularly when refinancing existing kit as part of the same facility.

Q: How quickly can I get press brake finance?

Most applications are approved within 24-48 hours once the lender has your trading history and the supplier's quote, and for deals under £100,000 same-day approval is common, particularly for an established fabrication business with a clear credit history. Larger or higher-tonnage machines, and deals that need underwriting against a newer business or a more complex finance structure, may take 3-5 working days as the lender looks more closely at the application. Having your accounts, recent bank statements and the machine specification ready when you apply is the main thing that keeps this timeline short rather than the machine's price alone.

Q: Can I include tooling in the finance?

Yes. Most lenders will include press brake tooling, delivery, and installation costs in the finance agreement provided they appear on the same supplier invoice as the machine itself, rather than needing to be paid for separately upfront. This matters because tooling for a CNC press brake, punches, dies and any automated tool-changing system, can add a meaningful amount to the total project cost, and spreading it over the same term as the machine keeps the monthly payment aligned with when the machine starts earning. It's worth asking your supplier to itemise tooling clearly on the quote so the full cost is captured in one finance application.

Q: Can a new business or one with a poor credit history get press brake finance?

It's possible, though the options are more limited than for an established fabricator. Lenders will typically want a larger deposit, security over other assets, or a personal guarantee from a director to offset the extra risk, and the rate offered is likely to be higher than the headline rates shown here. A strong order book or a signed contract for subcontract work can help make the case, even where trading history is short, since it shows the press brake has work lined up rather than sitting idle. Comparing several lenders through a broker is particularly useful in this situation, since appetite for newer or higher-risk businesses varies significantly between lenders.

Q: What happens if I sell the press brake or part-exchange it during the agreement?

You can't simply sell a press brake that's still on hire purchase or lease finance, because the lender retains an interest in it until the agreement ends, so you'll need to settle the outstanding finance first, either from the sale proceeds or separately. Most lenders will provide a settlement figure on request, and if you're upgrading to a newer or higher-tonnage machine, many will let you roll any shortfall or surplus into the new finance agreement rather than requiring it to be cleared in cash beforehand. It's worth getting the settlement figure early in the process, since it affects what a dealer will actually offer for the old machine as part-exchange.

Typical Cost

£15k – £400k

Approval Speed

24–48 hours

Same-day for < £100k

Rates From

4.5% APR

What would a press brake cost per month?

Press Brake 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 press brake price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 4.9% APR
Term: 12–84 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Fabricators wanting to own the press brake outright

Finance Lease

Rate: From 4.5% APR
Term: 12–84 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Tax-efficient, claim 100% of payments against profit

Operating Lease

Rate: From 5.3% APR
Term: 24–60 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Access latest bending technology. 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
Trumpf TruBend 5130	£80,000 – £150,000	CNC Press Brake
Bystronic Xpress 100	£60,000 – £100,000	Electric Press Brake
Amada HRB-1003	£45,000 – £85,000	Hydraulic CNC
LVD PPEB-H	£90,000 – £180,000	Heavy-Duty CNC

Tax benefits

Press brakes qualify for Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), letting you deduct the full cost from taxable profits in year one, up to £1,000,000. HP agreements allow capital allowances. Lease payments are fully deductible.

Market context

Press brakes are bought by metal fabricators and sheet metal subcontractors, from a smaller hydraulic machine for a general fabrication shop to a larger, more precise brake for high-tolerance or high-volume bending work. Because a press brake is a significant capital item for a typically small fabrication business, most buyers finance it to keep cash available for material stock and to bridge the period before the new machine starts winning additional work. Replacement is usually driven by a need for greater tonnage or better control systems than an older machine offers, rather than the press brake wearing out. A solid used market supports asset-backed finance for smaller fabricators.

Bad credit?

Several of our 200+ lenders specialise in businesses with imperfect credit histories. You may need a larger deposit or personal guarantee, but options exist. Checking your options here does not affect your credit score, because we do not run a credit search to match you. A lender will run their own checks only if you decide to apply.

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance a used press brake?

Yes. Most lenders will finance a used press brake up to around 10 years old, and CNC models generally retain their value well because the core structure and back gauge hold up over decades of use even as control systems are upgraded. For a machine over 5 years old, most lenders will ask for an independent valuation and a look at the maintenance history before approving finance, since ram condition and back gauge accuracy affect the machine's real working value more than its age alone. Buying from a known dealer with a proper service record will usually make this step faster than a private sale.

What deposit do I need?

For hire purchase, most lenders ask for a deposit of 10-20% of the press brake's price, while finance leases and operating leases are typically available with no deposit at all, which helps a fabricator keep cash free for material stock and wages. A larger deposit reduces the monthly payment and can help secure a better rate, which is worth considering on a higher-tonnage CNC machine where the price difference between models is significant. Established fabrication businesses with a strong trading history and existing machinery can sometimes negotiate a lower deposit than the standard range, particularly when refinancing existing kit as part of the same facility.

How quickly can I get press brake finance?

Most applications are approved within 24-48 hours once the lender has your trading history and the supplier's quote, and for deals under £100,000 same-day approval is common, particularly for an established fabrication business with a clear credit history. Larger or higher-tonnage machines, and deals that need underwriting against a newer business or a more complex finance structure, may take 3-5 working days as the lender looks more closely at the application. Having your accounts, recent bank statements and the machine specification ready when you apply is the main thing that keeps this timeline short rather than the machine's price alone.

Can I include tooling in the finance?

Yes. Most lenders will include press brake tooling, delivery, and installation costs in the finance agreement provided they appear on the same supplier invoice as the machine itself, rather than needing to be paid for separately upfront. This matters because tooling for a CNC press brake, punches, dies and any automated tool-changing system, can add a meaningful amount to the total project cost, and spreading it over the same term as the machine keeps the monthly payment aligned with when the machine starts earning. It's worth asking your supplier to itemise tooling clearly on the quote so the full cost is captured in one finance application.

Can a new business or one with a poor credit history get press brake finance?

It's possible, though the options are more limited than for an established fabricator. Lenders will typically want a larger deposit, security over other assets, or a personal guarantee from a director to offset the extra risk, and the rate offered is likely to be higher than the headline rates shown here. A strong order book or a signed contract for subcontract work can help make the case, even where trading history is short, since it shows the press brake has work lined up rather than sitting idle. Comparing several lenders through a broker is particularly useful in this situation, since appetite for newer or higher-risk businesses varies significantly between lenders.

What happens if I sell the press brake or part-exchange it during the agreement?

You can't simply sell a press brake that's still on hire purchase or lease finance, because the lender retains an interest in it until the agreement ends, so you'll need to settle the outstanding finance first, either from the sale proceeds or separately. Most lenders will provide a settlement figure on request, and if you're upgrading to a newer or higher-tonnage machine, many will let you roll any shortfall or surplus into the new finance agreement rather than requiring it to be cleared in cash beforehand. It's worth getting the settlement figure early in the process, since it affects what a dealer will actually offer for the old machine as part-exchange.

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