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 the deal 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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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 deal. 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 deal 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Free Quote on Van Finance
Talk to a specialist who understands commercial vans. No obligation, fast response.