Van Finance

Whether you're a tradie fitting out a new work van, a courier replacing a high kilometre runabout, or a delivery business adding to your fleet, getting the right finance on a van comes down to matching your file to the right lender.

Sierra Finance is a Melbourne based commercial finance broker with access to 50+ lenders, and we specialise in getting van finance approved fast, even when the van is older, high on kilometres, or includes a full custom fitout.

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What Our Clients Say About Us

    
 
 
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   Andrew Beckwith 
 
 
 
  Sierra Finance recently assisted me in obtaining a number of vehicles for my commercial transport business. I dealt with Lawrence - he efficiently arranged for financing at competitive rates, provided a great service and enabled me to get my fleet on the road in no time. Thanks again.
  
 
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   oksana pashoulia 
 
 
 
  I had an excellent experience with Lawrence from Sierra Finance. He was incredibly professional, knowledgeable and helpful throughout the entire financing process. He made everything simple to understand, answered all my questions promptly, and guided me to the best options for my needs. I felt confident and well taken care of from start to finish. Highly recommend if you're looking for reliable and trustworthy financing services!
  
 
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   David Leahey 
 
 
 
  Lawrence was fantastic all the way through! A real professional and achieved a great result for me. Would highly recommend!
  
 
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   Josh Harris 
 
 
 
  Lawrence at Sierra Finance was incredible from start to finish! From the first phone call to settlement day, they made the entire process so simple and stress-free. They turned my dream of expanding my business into a reality and secured a very reasonable rate for me. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for finance.
  
 
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   Freddie Twigg 
 
 
 
  I recently had the pleasure of securing a business loan through Sierra Finance, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the experience. From start to finish, the team demonstrated exceptional professionalism, making the entire process smooth and stress-free.

How Van Finance Works

Most van purchases for business use are financed through a chattel mortgage. Under a chattel mortgage, you own the van from day one, claim GST credits on the purchase price upfront, and the interest and depreciation are tax deductible. It's the most straightforward structure for ABN holders and the one most van buyers end up choosing.

Other structures are available depending on your situation. Finance leases and commercial hire purchase (CHP) are options for businesses that prefer to keep the asset off their balance sheet, and operating leases suit businesses that want to upgrade vans regularly without worrying about resale. A rental agreement can work well for short-term projects or seasonal demand.

The right structure depends on how your accountant handles your books and what your cash flow looks like. We'll walk you through the options and make sure the structure matches your business, not just the van. For an overview of all the vehicle finance options we offer, visit our vehicles page.

What You Can Finance with Van Finance

We finance the full range of commercial vans available in Australia. Small vans like the Volkswagen Caddy and Renault Kangoo, midsize workhorses like the Toyota Hiace and Ford Transit Custom, and large panel vans like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, and Fiat Ducato.

New and used vans are both financeable. The age and kilometre reading on a used van will determine which lenders are a good fit, but there are lenders on our panel that will consider older, higher-kilometre vans that the major banks won't touch. This is where working with a broker makes a real difference, because the lender that's right for a two year old Hiace with 40,000km is not the same lender that's right for a ten year-old Sprinter with 280,000km.

Dealer purchases, private sales, and auction buys are all fine. Private sales through Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are common for vans, and we handle the settlement process with private sellers regularly.

Fitout finance is a big one for vans. If you're having shelving, racking, refrigeration, toolboxes, or signwriting done, we can often bundle the fitout cost into the finance application. This is important to discuss upfront because the fitout cost affects the loan to value ratio, and not every lender will fund a full van and fitout build. We match you to a lender that can support the total cost, so you're not paying for the fitout out of pocket or splitting it across separate loans.

Who Van Finance Is For

Van finance is for any business or sole trader that needs a van to operate.

Tradies who need a fitted out van as a mobile workshop. Electricians, plumbers, painters, HVAC technicians, and builders who carry tools, parts, and materials to every job. For tradies, the van and the fitout are inseparable, and financing the full package in one clean file makes the most sense.

Couriers and delivery drivers who put serious kilometres on their vans and replace them more frequently. Whether you're running last mile delivery, food delivery, or freight, the finance needs to reflect how quickly the van depreciates under heavy use.

Small businesses running delivery fleets. Florists, caterers, cleaning companies, and any business that delivers products or sends teams out on the road. If you're adding a second or third van to your fleet, we can structure multiple approvals efficiently.

If you're also weighing up ute finance for your business, the finance process is similar, and we can handle both at the same time.

You don't need perfect credit, years of financials, or a massive deposit. We work with new ABNs, sole traders, and businesses at all stages. Low doc options are available for van finance when your situation doesn't fit standard bank criteria.

Why Use a Broker for Van Finance

The single biggest issue we see with van finance is people going direct to their bank, getting declined because the van is too old or too high on kilometres for that bank's policy, and ending up with a hard credit enquiry on their file for nothing.

Every declined application leaves a mark. Stack up two or three of those and you've damaged your credit score before you've even found a lender who will say yes. This is completely avoidable.

A broker knows which lenders will approve which vans. We know the age limits, the kilometre thresholds, the appetite for fitout funding, and the policies that change from lender to lender. When we submit your application, we already know it fits that lender's criteria. One application, one enquiry, one approval.

The other thing most people don't realise is that not all lenders price van finance the same way. A van with a $25,000 fitout on top of a $45,000 base price is a $70,000 deal, and the lender needs to be comfortable with that total. Some lenders cap fitout funding, some don't. Some want a detailed fitout invoice, some just want a total figure. Getting this wrong means either paying more than you should or getting knocked back and starting again.

With access to 50+ lenders, we place your deal with the lender that's the best fit for the van, the fitout, and your business situation.

Get a Free quote on Van Finance

Get a quote on van finance. Talk to a specialist who understands commercial vans. No obligation, fast response.

Get a Free Quote

Getting Van Finance Through Sierra Finance

The process is straightforward, and for most van finance deals we can have you approved and settled within two business days.

Step one: tell us what you're buying.

Call or enquire online with the details of the van, including the price, age, kilometres, and whether there's a fitout involved. If you're still shopping, we can get you a pre approval so you know your budget before you commit.

Step two: we match you to the right lender.

Based on the van and your business situation, we identify the lender with the best combination of rate, terms, and approval likelihood. We handle the full application, so you're not filling out forms or chasing paperwork across multiple banks.

Step three: approval and settlement.

Most van finance approvals come through within 24 to 48 hours. Same day approvals are possible for straightforward deals. Once approved, we handle settlement with the dealer or private seller and you pick up the van.

If you're also financing equipment or machinery alongside your van, we can run both applications at the same time through the same or different lenders, whichever gets you the best outcome.

Van Finance FAQ's

Can I finance a used van with high kilometres?

Yes. Vans that have done 200,000km or more are still financeable through the right lender. The key is matching the van to a lender whose policy accommodates the age and kilometre reading, which is exactly what a broker does. Going direct to a bank that won't finance high km vans just wastes a credit enquiry.

Can I bundle the fitout cost into the van finance?

In most cases, yes. If you're having the van fitted out with shelving, racking, refrigeration, or other trade specific equipment, we can often include the fitout cost in the finance file. This affects the loan to value ratio, so it's important to discuss the fitout scope upfront so we match you to a lender that supports the full build cost.

What deposit do I need for van finance?

Many van finance files can be approved with no deposit at all. A deposit can help with approval on older or higher value vans, but it's not a blanket requirement. We'll let you know upfront whether a deposit will improve your file.

Can I get van finance with a new ABN?

Yes. We have lenders on our panel that finance new ABN holders. You may need a deposit or a clean credit history, but having a brand new ABN doesn't automatically mean you can't get finance. Start up couriers and new trade businesses are a common situation we help with.

What's the difference between commercial van finance and a personal car loan?

Commercial van finance structures like chattel mortgage and CHP are designed for business use. You can claim tax deductions on interest and depreciation, and GST credits on the purchase price. A personal car loan doesn't offer those benefits. If you're using the van for business, commercial finance is almost always the better option.

How long can I finance a van for?

Loan terms for van finance typically range from two to seven years. The right term depends on how long you plan to keep the van and what repayment amount suits your cash flow. Couriers who replace vans every few years might prefer a shorter term, while a tradie keeping a fitted out van long term might stretch it out.

Can I finance a van from a private seller?

Yes. Private sale van finance works the same as dealer finance from our end. We handle the settlement process directly with the seller. Private sales through Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are common for vans and we process these regularly.

Do I need my tax returns up to date for van finance?

Not necessarily. Low doc van finance options are available where we can use alternative documentation like BAS statements, bank statements, or an accountant's letter instead of full financials. We'll identify the most efficient path based on what you have available.

Can I get pre approved for van finance before I find the van?

Yes, and it's a smart move. Pre approval gives you a clear budget and puts you in a stronger position when negotiating, especially on private sales where the seller wants certainty that the buyer can pay.

What van brands do you finance?

All of them. Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Ford, Hyundai, Fiat, Renault, LDV, Peugeot, Citroën, and any other make available in Australia. The brand doesn't affect whether we can finance it, though it can influence which lender offers the best rate.

Can I finance a refrigerated van?

Yes. Refrigerated vans and vans with specialised cold chain fitouts are financeable. The refrigeration unit is treated as part of the fitout and can typically be bundled into the finance file.

Can I finance multiple vans at once?

Yes. If you're building or expanding a delivery fleet, we can structure multiple van finance approvals at the same time. Depending on your situation, we may place them with the same lender or split across different lenders to get the best rates on each vehicle.

Is van finance available for sole traders?

Absolutely. You don't need to be a company or partnership to get van finance. Sole traders with an ABN are eligible for commercial van finance, including chattel mortgage and CHP structures.

What happens if my van finance application has been declined elsewhere?

If you come to us after being declined, the first thing we do is understand why. Often it's because the van didn't fit that lender's policy on age or kilometres, not because there's anything wrong with your application. We identify the right lender for your specific situation and submit to them, avoiding further unnecessary credit enquiries.

How quickly can I get approved for van finance?

Most van finance approvals come through within 24 to 48 hours. Same day approvals are possible for straightforward files where the documentation is ready and the van fits within standard lender criteria. Realistically, most transactions are approved and settled within two business days.

Get a Free Quote on Van Finance

Talk to a specialist who understands commercial vans. No obligation, fast response.

Van Finance

How Van Finance Works

What You Can Finance with Van Finance

Who Van Finance Is For

Why Use a Broker for Van Finance

Getting Van Finance Through Sierra Finance

Van Finance FAQ's

Sierra Finance

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