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Refrigerated Trailer Finance

Spread the cost of refrigerated trailers from £42,000 to £64,000+ with flexible finance options. HP, lease, or refinance – compare rates from 40+ lenders.

Can you finance a refrigerated trailer?

Yes, refrigerated trailers 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 £42,000 to £64,000, and most deals are written over 24–84 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24–48 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

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Typical Cost

£42k – £64k

Approval Speed

24–48 hours

Same-day for < £50k

Rates From

4.6% APR

What would a refrigerated trailer cost per month?

£48,000
10%
60 months
9%
£0

Your estimate

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

Pre-filled with a typical refrigerated trailer price. Indicative only, not a quote.

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Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate
From 5.0% APR
Term
24–84 months
Deposit
10–20%
Ownership
Yours at the end
Best for
Cold chain hauliers wanting to own the trailer and fridge unit outright

Finance Lease

Rate
From 4.6% APR
Term
24–84 months
Deposit
None required
Ownership
Return, refinance the balloon, or buy at the end
Best for
Tax-efficient, covering the fridge unit alongside the trailer body

Contract Hire

Rate
From 5.3% APR
Term
24–60 months
Deposit
None required
Ownership
Return at the end
Best for
Operators wanting fridge unit servicing and trailer replacement managed together

Representative example

On a purchase price of £48,000: a 10% deposit of £4,800, then 48 monthly payments of £1,013 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £53,424, 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
SDC Reefer Trailer (Carrier Unit) £42,000 – £58,000 13.6m Refrigerated Trailer
Gray & Adams Refrigerated Trailer £45,000 – £62,000 13.6m Multi-Temp Trailer
Chereau Refrigerated Trailer £44,000 – £60,000 13.6m Refrigerated Trailer
Schmitz Cargobull Reefer Trailer £46,000 – £64,000 13.6m Refrigerated Trailer

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Tax benefits

A refrigerated trailer's fridge unit is invoiced with the trailer body and both qualify together as plant and machinery for the Annual Investment Allowance, so the combined cost is normally deductible in year one, up to £1,000,000. VAT on hire purchase is generally due upfront; finance lease or contract hire spreads it across the rentals instead, which is worth considering given how much the refrigeration equipment adds to the trailer's price compared with a standard curtainsider or box trailer.

Market context

Refrigerated trailers are financed by cold chain hauliers, food and drink distributors, and third-party logistics providers moving chilled or frozen goods over long distances by road. Because the fridge unit is a mechanical, fuel or battery-powered system in its own right, servicing and eventual replacement of the unit is a separate consideration from the trailer body's condition, and both affect a used trailer's value. Buyers often run a mixed fleet of new and used reefer trailers, since a well-maintained fridge unit can be rebuilt or replaced independently of the trailer chassis if it fails before the trailer itself is due for renewal.

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.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I finance a used refrigerated trailer?
Yes. Most lenders will finance a used refrigerated trailer up to around 12 years old at the start of the agreement, and some will go older case by case. Rates on used equipment typically run 0.5–1% higher than new because residual values are less certain. The fridge unit's running hours and last major service matter as much as the trailer's condition. An independent inspection or valuation is common for older or higher-value vehicles before the lender confirms terms.
What deposit do I need for refrigerated trailer finance?
For hire purchase, most lenders ask for 10–20% deposit. Finance lease and contract hire agreements often need no deposit at all, since the lender keeps an interest in the refrigerated trailer throughout the term. Putting down a larger deposit reduces your monthly payments and can unlock a better rate, but it isn't compulsory on most deals; it's a trade-off between cash flow today and the total cost of the agreement.
How quickly can I get refrigerated trailer finance approved?
Straightforward applications for a refrigerated trailer under £50k are commonly approved within 24–48 hours, and same-day decisions are possible once paperwork (bank statements, accounts, proof of ID) is in. Larger or more complex deals, multiple units, or first-time applicants without a strong trading history usually take longer, sometimes 5–7 working days, while the lender reviews the business case and, for higher-value assets, arranges an inspection.
Do I need to have been trading for a minimum period?
Most mainstream lenders look for 2+ years of trading history before offering standard rates and terms on refrigerated trailer finance. Newer businesses aren't automatically excluded, but they may be asked for a personal guarantee from a director, additional security, a higher deposit, or a shorter term to offset the extra risk. Start-ups sometimes do better going through a broker who can match them to a lender that specialises in newer businesses.
What happens if the fridge unit needs replacing before the finance term ends?
The finance agreement is secured against the trailer as a whole, so a fridge unit failure doesn't automatically affect your payments, but you are responsible for keeping the asset in good working order under most agreements. In practice, most operators repair or rebuild the existing unit rather than replace it outright, since a full refrigeration unit replacement is a significant cost on its own; some lenders will also finance a unit replacement separately if needed part-way through the trailer's term.

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