Refuse truck finance
Refuse collection vehicles run on contracted rounds, and that recurring income is exactly what makes funders comfortable with an otherwise specialist body.
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Can you finance a refuse truck?
Yes. A refuse collection vehicle funds as a commercial vehicle with the compaction body and bin lift assessed as specialist equipment. Used RCVs fund, and ex-local authority machines are a well-established part of this market. The characteristic that helps these applications is the income: refuse rounds are contracted, recurring and largely recession-proof, which funders value highly. The characteristic that hinders them is the body — a packer body has no use outside waste collection, so funders need to see the round or contract that keeps it working.
Used kit: Yes — used RCVs fund well, including ex-council machines into their tenth year, with packer and bin lift condition setting the limit.
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
What would a refuse truck cost per month?
Asset finance is quoted on a flat rate, so that is what the buttons show, with the equivalent APR beside it. Your exact rate depends on the asset, the term, the deposit and the lender.
Prime is an established, profitable business with clean credit. Specialist covers newer businesses and credit that needs explaining — the asset itself carries part of the risk, which is why finance is often available where an unsecured loan is not.
Representative example: on Hire Purchase, borrowing £25,000 over 48 months at a 5.15% flat rate (equivalent to 9.9% APR representative), you would repay around £628 a month; total amount repayable approximately £30,150, of which £5,150 is the cost of finance. This calculator is for illustration only — it is not a quote or an offer of finance, and the rate and repayments you are offered will depend on the asset, term, deposit and your circumstances. CW Asset Finance is a credit broker, not a lender, and may receive a commission from the lender that funds your agreement. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender approval.
Rates shown are indicative flat rates with the equivalent APR alongside — the two are not the same number. Indicative only and does not constitute a quote or an offer of finance. Subject to status and lender approval.
How lenders treat it
Funders who write RCVs treat them as contract-backed assets rather than tradeable vehicles. The body — Dennis Eagle, Faun, Geesinknorba, Heil — has a real but narrow resale market, with export demand supporting values for older machines. Packer blade, hydraulics and bin lift condition are inspected because those components do the work and are expensive to put right. Low entry chassis are common and are assessed as normal. On the operator side, contracted collection income reads well and funders will ask to see the contract or round schedule, particularly for newer businesses. Waste carrier registration and disposal arrangements are checked, as with any waste asset. Declines involve new waste start-ups without permits, without rounds, or buying a machine before winning the work.
Makes and models we fund
Examples of the machines we are asked to fund. This is not an exhaustive list — if what you are buying is not here, it does not mean we cannot fund it. Your supplier quote is what the agreement is written against.
| Machine | What it is |
|---|---|
| Dennis Eagle Elite 6 | British refuse chassis with low entry cab |
| Faun Variopress | Rear-loading compaction body for household waste |
| Geesinknorba GPM IV | Refuse body for domestic collection rounds |
| Mercedes-Benz Econic RCV | Direct vision chassis for urban collections |
| Volvo FE 320 RCV | Refuse chassis for municipal fleets |
| Dennis Eagle eCollect | Electric refuse vehicle for clean air zones |
| Terberg bin lift | Bin lifting gear for refuse bodies |
| Faun Rotopress | Rotating drum body for bulky waste |
| DAF LF 220 caged tipper | Small waste vehicle for street cleansing |
| Heil Powerlink refuse body | Compaction body for commercial waste |
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
Who buys one
Private waste contractors running commercial collections, local authority contractors holding cleansing contracts, and facilities or estate management firms collecting on large sites. The trigger is usually a contract award requiring a specific number of vehicles, or the replacement of a machine whose compaction body has become uneconomic to keep repairing. Holiday parks, universities and large hospital sites make up a smaller but steady part of the market.
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
How it is treated for tax
Bought on hire purchase, business plant and machinery normally qualifies for capital allowances on the full cost even though you pay for it monthly, which is a large part of why hire purchase is the common structure. On a finance lease you generally set the rentals against profit instead. The rules change between budgets and your position depends on how you trade, so treat this as the direction of travel and get your accountant to confirm the detail before you commit.
Refuse truck finance questions
Can I finance an ex-council refuse truck?
Yes, and they represent a large part of the used RCV market. Local authority machines are maintained on schedule with proper records, which funders view positively even at high hours. Buy through a recognised disposal route so title and history are verifiable, and get the packer and bin lift inspected before committing.
Do I need a waste contract before applying?
For a newer business, effectively yes. A packer body has no alternative use, so funders want to see the round or contract that keeps it earning. Established waste contractors are assessed on accounts and existing rounds. Buying a vehicle in advance of winning work is the most common reason these applications fail.
What is a low entry chassis and does it affect finance?
It is a cab designed for crews getting in and out constantly, with a low step and better direct vision. It is standard for urban collection and improves safety compliance in cities with vision standards. Funders treat it as normal — if anything favourably, because it keeps the vehicle compliant in more places and therefore easier to resell.
How long does a compaction body last?
Many years, but the packer blade, hydraulics and bin lift are working components under constant load and will need overhaul. Funders check them carefully on used purchases because the repair costs are substantial. A body with documented hydraulic servicing is worth noticeably more than an identical one with no records.
Can I fund a fleet of RCVs for a new contract?
Yes, and it is a common requirement when a contract is awarded. Funders will want the contract itself, because it underwrites the fleet. Block facilities let vehicles be drawn down as they are built, which matters given RCV lead times. Start the conversation as soon as the contract is confirmed rather than at delivery.
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
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Not an offer of finance. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender approval.
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