What We Finance
From a single owner-operator rig to a growing transport fleet, we match your circumstances to lenders who understand heavy vehicles and price them accordingly.
Whether you operate a single prime mover or run a growing transport fleet, the right asset finance structure makes a real difference to your cashflow and your tax position. We work with lenders who understand heavy vehicles, from rigid trucks and prime movers to trailers, tippers and specialised body types, and we compare their offers so you can see how they stack up for your situation.
Truck finance is commonly arranged as a chattel mortgage or commercial hire purchase, where the vehicle secures the loan and you own it from the outset or at the end of the term. The structure you choose affects your repayments, your GST treatment and your depreciation, so it is worth speaking with both your broker and your accountant before you commit. We will explain the options in plain language and outline what each lender is likely to require.
Lenders price new and used trucks differently, and vehicle age, kilometres and intended use all factor into the assessment. We handle dealer purchases, private sales and refinances of existing truck loans, and we can stage approvals as your fleet grows. If you are an owner-operator buying your first rig, or an established carrier adding capacity, we will match your circumstances to lenders who are comfortable with that profile. For a deeper look at age limits, private sales and structuring on second-hand vehicles, see our used truck finance page.
All finance is subject to lender approval and individual lending criteria. We do not guarantee any particular outcome, rate or approval, but we do compare the market so the options you see are genuinely suited to you.
Heavy-vehicle lending is more specialised than a standard car loan. Lenders differ widely in the truck types they fund, the age limits they apply, and how they treat owner-operators versus established fleets. Going direct to a single lender means seeing one view of your options; comparing a panel means understanding where your application is likely to be received well and on what terms. We do that legwork, prepare your enquiry properly, and keep one point of contact through to settlement so you are not chasing paperwork between parties.
Whether you are an owner-operator buying your first rig or an established carrier adding capacity, the structure should fit how the truck earns its keep. We work with lenders who understand the difference between a single-truck operator and a growing fleet, and who can stage approvals as a business expands. For business buyers, a chattel mortgage or commercial hire purchase commonly applies, with implications for GST and depreciation that are worth discussing with your accountant. All truck finance is subject to lender assessment and approval, and individual lending criteria apply. We do not promise a particular rate or guarantee approval; what we offer is access to a broad panel and a single point of contact who manages the process from enquiry through to settlement.
Not every operator has two years of financials ready to hand over, and that alone should not rule out a competitive truck loan. Several lenders on our panel offer low doc options, where the application leans on things like your ABN and GST registration history, a clean repayment record, or a reasonable deposit rather than full financial statements. Low doc does not mean no checks, and it can price differently to a full doc loan, but for many self-employed operators it is the practical path to getting a truck working. We will tell you upfront which lenders suit a low doc profile and what each one wants to see. You can read more on our low doc asset finance page.
Depending on your circumstances and the lender's criteria, truck finance can sometimes be structured with no deposit, preserving your working capital for fuel, tyres, insurance and the quiet weeks. Balloon (residual) payments are another lever: a balloon reduces your monthly repayment by deferring a portion of the loan to the end of the term, which can suit trucks with strong resale value. Both options trade off against total interest cost, so we will model the repayments with and without so you can see the difference before you decide. Our repayment calculator is a good starting point.
Buying your first truck under a new ABN is one of the most common scenarios we see, and one where lender selection matters most. Some lenders want twelve or twenty-four months of ABN history; others will consider newer operators with relevant industry experience, a contract or letter of intent in hand, or a deposit. If you have been driving for someone else and are ready to go out on your own, tell us that story, because it genuinely changes which lenders are worth approaching. We prepare the application so your experience counts for you rather than getting lost in a form.
Heavy vehicles work hard and lenders know it, so most set limits on vehicle age at the end of the loan term, and some price by kilometres or build type. A fifteen-year-old prime mover that one lender declines may sit comfortably within another lender's policy. This is one of the clearest cases for comparing a panel rather than applying to a single lender: policy differences, not your profile, are often what separates an approval from a decline on older equipment. We check asset eligibility before anything is lodged, so there are no surprises and no unnecessary marks on your file.
Prime movers are the biggest single purchase most transport operators make, and lenders treat them as a category of their own. Policy varies on age at end of term, engine hours, brand and intended use, and whether the deal includes a trailer as part of a combination. Because a prime mover typically works under contract, some lenders will also weigh the strength of your freight agreements when assessing serviceability. We compare how each lender on our panel treats the specific unit you're buying, whether that's a new flagship or a workhorse with kilometres on the clock. Deposits and balloon structures both have more influence on prime mover deals than on lighter assets, and newer businesses with solid industry experience are considered by some lenders, so the structure is worth getting right from the outset.
If you financed a truck when your ABN was young or your file was thinner, the loan that was right then may not be right now. Refinancing can restructure the term, adjust a balloon that's coming due, or move you to a lender whose policy better fits the operator you've become. It isn't automatic, since exit costs and the vehicle's current age both factor in, so we model the numbers honestly before you decide. If staying put is the better outcome, we'll tell you that.
Written by Stefan Popovic, Director & Lending Specialist, Lend Logic Solutions.
Why Lend Logic
We compare the market so your rate reflects your profile, not a one-size sticker rate.
Most assessments come back within 24-48 hours, so you can plan with confidence.
Get a quote and compare with no impact on your buying position.
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Common Questions
Yes. Many of our lenders fund used and private-sale heavy vehicles as well as dealer purchases, we'll confirm the requirements upfront.
A chattel mortgage or commercial hire purchase often suits business use. The right choice depends on your tax position, so speak with us and your accountant.
We compare lenders with different appetites, including some comfortable with newer operators. Eligibility is subject to each lender's criteria.
Yes, several lenders on our panel offer low doc truck finance based on ABN and GST history, repayment conduct or a deposit rather than full financials. Criteria and pricing vary by lender.
In some cases, yes, subject to the lender's assessment of your overall position. Where a deposit strengthens the application we'll tell you, and we'll model repayments both ways so you can compare.
Most assessments come back within 24 to 48 hours once we have your details. Settlement timing then depends on the lender and the seller's paperwork.
Most lenders apply an age limit at the end of the loan term, and the limits differ significantly between lenders. We check asset eligibility across the panel before anything is lodged.