Rent-to-own vans
A potential pathway for established businesses that need a van to keep work moving, when standard vehicle finance isn’t currently suitable.
If you’re on this page, you’re probably not shopping for the lowest rate.
You’re looking for a van that helps you fulfil work and generate income.
Rent-to-own can be a strong fit in the right situation. It’s structured differently to a standard vehicle loan, and pricing reflects that different structure and risk profile. A quick eligibility check can help us understand your situation.
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Rent-to-own vans is typically a fit for business owners who can say:
This van directly produces income
I understand my margins and cash flow
Weekly payments are manageable because the van pays for itself
I understand rent-to-own is assessed differently to mainstream finance, and I’m open to that structure.
If that sounds like you, rent-to-own may be something to explore.
For the full rent-to-own guide, including risks and how the structure works across different assets, see:
General information only. We can explain how it works, but we don’t know if it suits your situation until we understand your business and the van.
Contents
Use the contents below to jump to what you need. Each section links back here.
What this is and what it is not
What it is
Rent-to-own is a rental agreement where a rental provider purchases a van and rents it to your business for a fixed term. The agreement may include options to buy the van at set points during the term.
What it is not
Rent-to-own is not a standard vehicle loan. You do not automatically own the van just because you make payments.
Ownership only happens if you exercise an option to buy and pay the buyout amount, in line with the contract terms.
The position of rent-to-own in the market
This matters for expectations and responsible decision-making.
For many established businesses, the funding pathway often looks like:
Bank or mainstream vehicle finance, where eligible
Standard commercial vehicle finance products, where eligible
Specialist vehicle finance, where eligible
Rent-to-own, where a different structure is needed right now
Rent-to-own is designed for situations where a business needs the vehicle to keep operating and earning income, but mainstream options are not currently a clean fit.
Who the page is for
This page is designed for established, growing businesses, typically:
Trading for 2+ years
With genuine business income and a clear need for a van
Able to show the repayments are affordable with a buffer
Comfortable with rent-to-own being priced differently to mainstream finance.
The only exception for a new ABN
A brand new ABN may be considered only in a specific situation:
You have been working PAYG in the same industry
You have landed a signed contract that pays a meaningful amount each month
You can show the weekly payments are affordable even with buffers
This is assessed case-by-case. It is not a shortcut.
Who this is not for
Rent-to-own vans is often not the best match if:
Your priority is the lowest total cost above everything else
The van is not clearly linked to earning income
Repayments rely mainly on future work that isn’t confirmed
You need a structure with very high flexibility and minimal commitment
If any of the above applies, another type of vehicle funding may suit better.
A simple way to think about pricing
With rent-to-own, the main focus is usually not rate-shopping.
The practical focus is:
How much income the van is expected to support
Whether weekly payments are affordable with a buffer
Whether the term and commitment make sense for your business
If the numbers don’t feel comfortable, it may be worth adjusting the van choice, term, or deposit, or considering another option.
Commitment, term, and buyout
Rent-to-own agreements commonly include:
Minimum commitment period - typically 12 months
Full term - commonly 60 months
Option-to-buy figures - available at set points during the term
End-of-term buyout - if you want ownership at the end, you still need to pay a buyout amount
The exact terms and figures vary by rental provider and the quote.
You should always review the quote and contract terms carefully before accepting.
Only the written quote and contract set the payment amounts, fees, buyout figures, and rules.
Option-to-buy during the term
Many agreements include option-to-buy figures that may be available:
after the minimum commitment is met
at milestones through the term
at the end of the term
Option-to-buy figures are set by the rental provider and depend on the agreement. They are not automatic and they are not “guaranteed outcomes”.
A common use case: bridging now, refinancing later
Some established business owners use rent-to-own as a bridge:
They accept higher weekly payments to secure the van now
They use the van to fulfil contracts and keep cash flow moving
Over time, if their credit profile improves and their financial position strengthens, they may later explore refinancing into a more standard product such as a chattel mortgage
Important points:
Refinancing is not guaranteed
Eligibility depends on your situation at that time and lender policy
Refinancing only makes sense if it improves the numbers responsibly
Should be considered on its own terms, not purely on the assumption of refinancing later.
What rental providers usually assess
Rental providers typically assess:
business use and industry alignment
experience and practical ability to operate the vehicle profitably
affordability based on income and expenses
the van itself, including age and condition rules
verification checks required under their process
This is one reason rent-to-own is priced differently to mainstream finance.
Information and documents
Requirements vary by rental provider and by deal.
In most cases, enough information is still required to confirm affordability. This may include combinations of:
ABN and business details
identification
business bank statements
evidence of work such as invoices, contracts, or pipeline
van details and a quote or sale listing
assets and commitments information where required
For the new ABN exception scenario, this may include:
PAYG payslips and employment history
the signed contract showing expected monthly payments
personal bank statements
evidence the repayments remain affordable with buffers
If affordability isn’t clear, the provider may not be able to approve the agreement.
Van suitability and checks
Most commercial vans may be considered, subject to provider requirements.
If a van is older or has high kilometres, the rental provider may require additional checks such as:
valuation
mechanical inspection
proof of condition and roadworthiness
Private sale vs dealer purchase may also affect the checks required.
How the process typically works
1) Eligibility discussion
A short conversation to understand your business, the van, and what the van will be used for.
2) Information request
We request the minimum information needed to assess suitability and affordability.
3) Checks with consent
The rental provider may conduct credit and verification checks. These are only completed with your consent.
4) Van checks
The rental provider reviews the van and may require inspection or valuation depending on the vehicle.
5) Quote issued
If available, you receive a quote setting out:
weekly payments
term and minimum commitment
option-to-buy figures throughout the term
end-of-term buyout amount if you want ownership
fees and other contract terms
6) Accept or decline
If you proceed, you accept the quote and contract terms. If the quote doesn’t fit your budget comfortably, you can take time to review it or explore other options.
Typical benefits
Rent-to-own vans may suit some established businesses because:
weekly payments can align with weekly revenue
it may be available when standard finance is not currently available
it can allow a growing business to keep work moving where the van is a direct income tool
it may act as a bridge while working toward more standard finance later, depending on eligibility
What this does not mean:
approval is not guaranteed
timing is not guaranteed
documents may still be required
you do not automatically own the van at the end
Rent-to-own is priced differently to mainstream finance
Risks and trade-offs
Rent-to-own can be useful, but it has real risks.
Key risks include:
higher total cost compared to mainstream vehicle finance
minimum commitment reduces flexibility
If payments are missed, the provider may charge fees and may enforce their rights under the contract, which can include restricting use or recovering the van.
no ownership during the rental term
buyout required for ownership, including at end of term
exit costs may apply if you try to end early
running costs remain your responsibility, including insurance, maintenance, rego, repairs, tyres, and downtime
If you have questions about any part of the structure, it’s worth clarifying before you commit.
For the full rent-to-own risk guide and structure explanation across assets, see:
How CASEY can support you
We are business-only finance specialists.
On rent-to-own enquiries, our role is to:
help you understand whether rent-to-own is a fit for your situation
set expectations clearly before you commit
guide you through what providers typically assess
help you understand the structure, including commitment and buyout terms
FAQs
Is rent-to-own the same as a chattel mortgage?
No. Rent-to-own is a rental agreement with option-to-buy terms. A chattel mortgage is a finance product.
Do I need bank statements?
It depends on your profile. Providers still require enough information to assess affordability, and bank statements are commonly requested.
Is approval guaranteed?
No. Approval depends on the rental provider’s criteria, the van, and affordability.
Do I own the van at the end?
Not automatically. Ownership only occurs if an option to buy is exercised and the buyout amount is paid, in line with the contract.
What is the minimum commitment?
Many agreements include a minimum commitment period, typically 12 months. The exact terms are confirmed in the quote and contract.
Can I refinance later?
Some people explore refinancing later if their situation improves, but it depends on eligibility at that time and policy. It is not guaranteed.
Related resources
If you already run an existing business, and rent-to-own isn’t the right fit, these guides explain other ways funding is commonly assessed in Australia, and what usually helps approvals:
The complete overview on rent-to-own and what you must know
How lenders look past a score and focus on recent trading, bank statement conduct, and stability.
What “low doc” typically means in practice, what evidence is still needed, and when another option may suit better.
A plain-English guide to how unsecured lending is assessed, and what’s usually required.
The full overview: options, eligibility, and how to compare like-for-like.
Important note (general information only)
Business use only. General information only. This does not consider your objectives, financial situation or business needs. Not legal, tax or financial advice. Tax treatment varies. Approval decisions, quote figures, fees, and contract terms are set by the rental provider and will be confirmed in writing before you commit. You should review the quote and contract terms carefully before accepting.