What are the alternatives to van leasing with bad credit?

If leasing isn’t right for you, van finance could be a good alternative. Options include Hire Purchase (HP), where you pay monthly until you own the van, or Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), which gives you the flexibility to return, buy, or trade in the van at the end of the term. Car Finance 247 works with lenders who specialise in bad credit finance. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.

How can I improve my chances of getting approved for van leasing with bad credit?

To boost your chances of approval, you could save for a larger deposit, choose a van with lower monthly costs, be upfront about your financial history, consider adding a guarantor, and look for lenders who specialise in bad credit van leasing. These steps can make you appear less risky to lenders.

Is it easy to lease a van with bad credit?

Leasing a van with bad credit isn’t always easy, but it can be possible. You may face stricter terms, higher monthly costs, or fewer vehicle options. Working with a specialist lender that offers bad credit van leasing could make the process simpler and increase your chances of approval. Credit is subject to status.

What is the lowest credit score for a van lease?

There isn’t a set minimum credit score required to lease a van, as each lender has its own criteria. Traditional lenders may not work with applicants who have poor credit, but specialist lenders often consider applications from those with lower scores. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.

Can I lease a van with poor credit?

Yes, it may be possible to lease a van even if you have poor credit. Some leasing companies specialise in helping people with lower credit scores. You might be asked to provide a larger deposit or have a guarantor to reduce the lender's risk. Showing proof of stable income can also improve your chances of approval. Credit is always subject to status and eligibility.

Bad credit van leasing: everything you need to know

Written by Joe Achillies Updated 22 Oct 2025

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Need a van but worried your credit history might stop you? Bad credit van leasing may still be possible. Even if you’ve had money troubles in the past or don’t have a great credit history, you might still be able to lease the van you need.

Although Car Finance 247 doesn’t currently offer leasing options, in this guide we’ll explain how van leasing with bad credit works, how to try and boost your chances of getting approved, and some alternative finance options you may want to consider. It’s important to remember that credit is subject to status and eligibility.

Can you lease a van with bad credit?

Yes, you may be able to lease a van with bad credit, but this is not guaranteed and it might be harder than if you had a good credit score. Most leasing companies check your credit to see how you’ve handled money in the past. This helps them decide if they can trust you to make payments on time.

You may have more luck with a company that could offer van leasing for people with bad credit. They look at more than just your credit score, factoring in things like your job and current income, too. Credit is subject to status.

Van leasing with poor credit

If you’ve had issues with repayments, you’ve had a default in the past or been in debt before, you may now have a poor credit score. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t lease a van, you may just face less favourable leasing terms and you might have to pay higher monthly fees or be asked to give a larger up-front deposit to reduce the risk you seem to lenders. Credit is subject to status.

Van leasing with no credit

It’s not just a poor credit history that could get in the way of leasing or financing a car. In fact, if you’ve never borrowed money before, you might not have a credit score at all. And some lenders may see this similarly to bad credit, because they don’t know how reliable you are.

But, some providers could offer van leasing with no credit options too, subject to status. You might be more likely to be approved if you can show stable income and a regular job, or you could use a guarantor to help show financial stability on your behalf.

Does van leasing affect credit score?

Yes, it could. When you apply for a lease, the lender will usually run a credit check, which might slightly lower your score in the short term. But if you’re approved and make your payments on time, van leasing could help build your credit over time.

On the flip side, missing payments can damage your score further. So it’s crucial to be sure you can afford the monthly payments on a van lease before signing any agreement.

Tips for improving your chances of approval

Van leasing with bad credit isn’t always easy and it’s not guaranteed, but there are steps you could take that might help you get accepted:

Try to save up a larger deposit to reduce the amount you need to borrow.
Look at vans with lower monthly costs, which may be more likely for lenders to approve.
Be clear and honest about your financial background.
If possible, consider adding a guarantor, who agrees to make the payments if you can’t.
Explore lenders who specialises in bad credit van leasing.

Even though you have bad credit, these steps could show lenders that you’re less of a risk to lend to and may improve your chances of being approved. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.

How to build your credit score before leasing a van

Before applying for a van lease, you may want to check your credit score for any errors and try to improve it where you can. A stronger score won’t guarantee that you’ll get the lease, but it could help get approved, and even help you get better terms on your lease too.

Here are some simple ways to work on your credit score:

Make sure you’re registered on the electoral roll at your current address
Review your credit report and fix any mistakes
Pay off any unpaid bills or debts, even small ones
Set up direct debits for regular payments to avoid missing them

Even small improvements to your credit score could make a difference when applying for a van lease with poor credit.

Alternatives to van leasing

If van leasing with bad credit doesn’t feel like the right fit for you, there are other avenues you may want to explore. At Car Finance 247, we don’t offer van leasing, but we could help you get on the road with van finance instead.

We work with a panel of trusted lenders, including those who specialise in bad credit van finance and are more experienced in helping people with a poor or limited credit history. Credit is subject to status.

Here are two van finance options you might want to consider:

Hire Purchase (HP) – With HP, you may pay a deposit, then cover the cost of the van through monthly payments (plus interest). Once you’ve made the final payment, the van is yours. It’s a way to spread the cost and own the van at the end.

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) – PCP works in a similar way. Except, at the end of the term, you could either hand the van back, pay a final lump sum (called a “balloon payment”) to keep it, or trade it in for a new deal. If you’re not sure you want to own the van at the end of the loan and want ownership flexibility, this might be a better choice for you.

Want to browse vans and explore your options? Get a quote today and get a decision in minutes.

Disclaimer: Car Finance 247 Limited is a credit broker, not a lender. Finance is subject to status and affordability. We work with a panel of lenders and may receive a commission for introducing you to them. We do not provide financial advice. Terms and conditions apply. There is no guarantee of approval.