Lendus.

Refrigerated Van Finance

Spread the cost of refrigerated vans from £28,000 to £58,000+ with flexible finance options. HP, lease, or refinance – compare rates from 40+ lenders.

Can you finance a refrigerated van?

Yes, refrigerated vans 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 £28,000 to £58,000, and most deals are written over 12–60 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

£28k – £58k

Approval Speed

24–48 hours

Same-day for < £50k

Rates From

4.9% APR

What would a refrigerated van cost per month?

£38,000
10%
60 months
9%
£0

Your estimate

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

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

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Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate
From 5.3% APR
Term
12–60 months
Deposit
10–20%
Ownership
Yours at the end
Best for
Food distributors wanting to own the van and fridge unit outright

Finance Lease

Rate
From 4.9% APR
Term
12–60 months
Deposit
None required
Ownership
Return, refinance the balloon, or buy at the end
Best for
Tax-efficient, covering the conversion cost as well as the base van

Contract Hire

Rate
From 5.6% APR
Term
24–48 months
Deposit
None required
Ownership
Return at the end
Best for
Businesses that want fridge unit servicing bundled in and the van refreshed regularly

Representative example

On a purchase price of £38,000: a 10% deposit of £3,800, then 48 monthly payments of £802 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £42,296, 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
Ford Transit Fridge Van £32,000 – £48,000 3.5t Chiller/Freezer
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Fridge Van £38,000 – £58,000 3.5t Multi-Temp
Volkswagen Crafter Fridge Van £36,000 – £54,000 3.5t Chiller
Renault Master Fridge Van £30,000 – £46,000 3.5t Freezer

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Tax benefits

The refrigeration conversion is normally invoiced alongside the base van and both qualify together for the Annual Investment Allowance, so the full cost can be deducted from taxable profits in year one, up to £1,000,000. VAT on hire purchase is generally due upfront on the combined invoice; on finance lease or contract hire it's spread across the rentals instead. Because a fridge conversion adds materially to the price of the vehicle, spreading the VAT and capital cost through a lease can ease cash flow more noticeably here than on a standard panel van.

Market context

Refrigerated vans are bought by food wholesalers, caterers, farm shops, pharmacies, and delivery operators moving anything that needs to stay chilled or frozen between collection and drop-off. Buyers typically finance the van and fridge conversion together as one asset, since the conversion can add a substantial amount to the purchase price. Replacement decisions are often driven by the refrigeration unit's age and refrigerant type as much as the vehicle's mileage, because an ageing compressor or an unsupported refrigerant gas can become expensive or difficult to service well before the chassis 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 van?
Yes. Most lenders will finance a used refrigerated van up to around 8 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 condition and service history of the fridge unit itself matters as much as the base vehicle. 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 van 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 van 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 van finance approved?
Straightforward applications for a refrigerated van 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 van 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.
Is the refrigeration unit covered under the same warranty as the finance agreement?
The finance agreement itself doesn't carry a warranty, that comes from the manufacturer and the bodybuilder who fitted the fridge unit, and the two are usually separate. Most fridge unit manufacturers offer their own warranty (commonly one to two years) alongside the van manufacturer's warranty on the base vehicle. It's worth checking both warranties line up in length and confirming who to contact for a fridge fault versus a mechanical one, since a breakdown in either can put a temperature-sensitive delivery at risk.

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