Yes, a new business can lease a car or van from DriveOn. There is no two-year trading history required and all credit is considered, because DriveOn owns the vehicles and we run our own checks in-house rather than sending you to a mainstream lender. A start-up with no accounts, or a business with a bruised credit file, can apply on fixed 6 to 24 month terms.
Getting a company car or van in the first year is where most new businesses hit a wall. Traditional leasing lenders want to see filed accounts and a solid company credit score before they will touch you — neither of which a start-up has yet. DriveOn works differently: we own the fleet and underwrite every lease ourselves, so we can look at your actual situation instead of ticking boxes you cannot possibly meet in month one.
Can a brand-new business lease a vehicle?
Yes. Whether you registered the company last week or last month, there is no minimum trading age to lease with us. Because we own the vehicles, we are not bound by the criteria a bank or finance house imposes, so a fresh limited company, a new partnership or a sole trader who has just gone out on their own can all apply. We keep more than 100 cars and vans, so there is usually something that fits both the job and the budget — browse the cars in stock or the vans in stock and note the ones you like before you enquire.
Do I need 2 years of accounts?
No. This is the single biggest difference between us and a mainstream business lease. High-street lenders and brokers typically want around two years of trading history and audited accounts before they will approve a company — a rule that shuts out almost every start-up. DriveOn has no such rule. We are the operator, not a broker, so we decide our own criteria, and filed accounts are not one of them.
Can a new business with bad credit lease a van?
In most cases, yes. Being declined elsewhere — for the business or for you personally — does not rule you out here. A finance rejection uses different criteria to a lease with us, and plenty of our customers came to us after a "no" from someone else. We consider all credit and look at the wider picture, not one score — the same approach we take on our bad credit leasing for personal drivers. If cash flow is your worry rather than credit, our van range spans small and large so you only pay for what the job needs.
What do you need from me?
Less than you would expect. We are not asking for years of paperwork you do not have. What actually helps us say yes is straightforward:
- Proof the monthly payment is affordable for the business
- Company details, or your sole-trader details
- A valid UK driving licence for the main driver
- Proof of address and a way to reach you
Fully comprehensive insurance also needs to be in place before you drive away. If you are not sure where to start, tell us and we will point you in the right direction.
Car or van — which for a new business?
It comes down to the work. If you are carrying tools, stock or kit, a van earns its keep and keeps your own car off the job. If you are on the road seeing clients or covering ground, a car is usually the tidier, cheaper choice. Many new businesses start with one and add the other once things settle. There is no rule that says you have to over-commit early — the fixed term means you can take a shorter lease now and reassess later. If you are trading on your own account rather than through a company, our self-employed leasing page is aimed squarely at you.
How is this different from mainstream business leasing?
Mainstream business leasing runs through a lender or a broker who underwrites on your company's credit and trading history. If you are new, the answer is usually no. DriveOn owns the vehicles and carries that risk itself, so the decision sits with us, not a third party. Here is the short version:
Mainstream business leasing
- Underwritten by a lender or broker
- Around two years of accounts expected
- A clean company credit file needed
- Start-ups are often declined
Leasing with DriveOn
- We own the fleet and underwrite in-house
- No two-year trading rule
- All credit considered
- New businesses are welcome to apply
If you want the mechanics of a lease explained plainly, read how leasing works. For established firms or larger fleets, our general business leasing page covers the wider picture.