Yes. Wheelchair-accessible minibuses and adapted vehicles can be financed, and the conversion is usually included in the amount funded. Lenders consider the base vehicle, the converter, the specification and the buyer’s financial position. Adapted vehicles have a narrower resale market, which can affect the deposit, the term or the choice of lender.
Two structures come up. If the vehicle and the conversion are bought together from one supplier, it is generally treated as a single asset and funded in one agreement. If you are buying a base vehicle and having it converted separately, the timing of payments to each supplier needs to be agreed with the lender before anything is ordered.
Care homes, community transport groups, charities, day centres and families all buy these vehicles. Where the buyer is an incorporated business or charity buying for its own operational use, the agreement is normally unregulated commercial finance. Where a family buys privately for personal use, the agreement is regulated consumer credit and carries the additional rights and disclosure requirements that go with it. Charities and not-for-profits should also check whether grant funding is available towards the purchase first, and whether taking finance affects any grant conditions — confirm that with the grant funder, not with us.
Where the minibus will be hired out to other organisations rather than used by the buyer, lenders assess hire-fleet use differently and some restrict it.
Be aware that adaptations, tail lifts and restraint systems need ongoing inspection and maintenance, and those costs run alongside the finance payments, which continue regardless of how much the vehicle is used. The vehicle is security for the agreement and can be recovered if payments are not maintained. As always, the lender decides whether to lend and on what terms.