Mobile service vehicle finance

Some businesses don’t have a shopfront — they have a van. Mobile mechanics, car detailers, dog groomers, window and carpet cleaners, appliance repairers, locksmiths, mobile coffee operators and pest controllers all take the business to the customer. The van, and everything built into it, is what makes that possible.

What makes a mobile service vehicle different?

For most of these businesses, the fit-out is as important as the vehicle — sometimes more expensive. A grooming van needs a bath, a dryer, a water tank and power. A mobile mechanic needs a compressor, a workbench, a generator and racking. A coffee van needs a commercial machine, water and power. That changes the finance in three ways:

• The fit-out should be on the invoice. The cleanest finance treats the van and fit-out as one asset.
• Resale is narrower. Highly specialised builds appeal to fewer buyers, which limits balloons.
• Downtime is expensive. If the van can’t work, neither can the business.

Our vehicle fit-out finance page explains how different build arrangements are usually handled.

Common mobile businesses and their vehicles

Business	Typical vehicle and fit-out
Mobile mechanic	Van or ute with service body, compressor, generator, racking
Car detailer	Van with water tank, pressure washer, vacuum, generator
Dog groomer	Van with bath, dryer, table, water and power
Carpet and window cleaner	Van with truck-mounted machine or water-fed pole system
Coffee and food	Van or trailer with commercial equipment
Locksmith and repair technician	Van with shelving, workbench and key-cutting gear

How is it usually financed?

Most mobile operators use a chattel mortgage, owning the fitted van from settlement while the lender holds security. A finance lease is possible but check what happens to the fit-out when the lease ends — some lessors expect the vehicle returned in its original state. Hire purchase is another option. Your accountant can advise on the tax side.

What lenders look for

Lenders want to see the business can support the repayments and that the van will hold enough value as security. Typically:

1. Your ABN history and industry experience.
2. Bank statements showing regular customer payments.
3. The van and fit-out — the builder, the specification and the total price.
4. For newer businesses, bookings, contracts, a franchise agreement or relevant experience.

If you want to know what’s realistic before committing to a builder, ask us — enquiring doesn’t involve a credit check.

Starting a mobile business

Many mobile businesses are started by people who’ve worked in the industry for years and decide to go out on their own. That experience counts. A deposit, a business plan, signed contracts or a franchise agreement can all help. Our guide to vehicle finance with a new ABN covers what lenders look for from newer businesses.

Weight, water and payload

Water is heavy, and so are generators, compressors and machines. A fitted service van can approach its payload limit before any stock or tools go in. On larger builds, check the gross vehicle mass: Transport for NSW, for example, says a car licence covers vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes GVM. Ask your builder for the loaded weight before they start.

Planning for downtime

When a mobile business’s van is off the road, income stops. Build these into your plan:

• regular servicing for the vehicle and the equipment
• a relationship with a mechanic who can fit you in quickly
• a backup option — a hire vehicle or a second van as the business grows
• insurance that covers the fit-out and equipment, not just the vehicle

Our fleet cost planner helps when you’re ready to add a second van and want to stagger replacements.

Branding your mobile business

For a mobile business, the van is also the advertising. A good wrap or signwriting can bring in work every time you park outside a customer’s house. If the signage is part of the dealer’s or builder’s invoice, it can often be financed with the van. If not, budget for it separately and remember it may need to be removed if you sell the van or hand it back at the end of a lease.

When to add a second van

A second van usually makes sense when you’re regularly turning work away, when travel time between jobs is eating into billable hours, or when you’ve found someone reliable to run it. Lenders look at the whole business when you add a vehicle: current income, existing finance and how the extra van will earn. Showing them a waiting list, regular bookings or a contract helps. Our guide on how many vehicles a business needs walks through the maths.

New or used for a mobile build?

Some operators buy a used van and have it fitted out new; others buy a complete used mobile business van. Either can be financed, but the second needs more checking — the equipment’s age and condition, service records and a PPSR search on the VIN. The new vs used vehicles page sets out the trade-offs.

Put your business on wheels

Tell us about the van, the fit-out and the business it supports. There’s no credit check to make an enquiry, a single specialist looks after it rather than sending it to every lender going, and a real person will call you to work out the right structure. Accurate details on the form — the builder, the total price and how long you’ve been trading — help us get it right first time.

Start your enquiry →