01
Sole traders and tradespeople
Whether you work on site, visit customers or transport tools, your vehicle has to fit the job. Start by choosing a suitable van and reviewing the rental against your income.
RENT2BUY VANS / WHO WE HELP
Self-employed? Your work needs a van.
Working for yourself can mean irregular payments, different trading histories and changing commitments. Rent2Buy offers eligible sole traders and contractors a route to a van without a traditional credit check, while still assessing income, affordability and supporting documents.
Subject to affordability, identity, documents, location and overall eligibility.
01 / WHO IT MAY HELP
Built around how you earn.
There's more than one way to be self-employed. We look at your real circumstances, not just a job-title box on an application.
02
Contractors and freelancers
Income can arrive weekly, by project or from several customers. We may need bank statements and supporting information to understand what you earn and your regular commitments.
03
Recently self-employed
You don't necessarily need years of trading history to enquire. We still need enough evidence to make a responsible affordability and eligibility assessment, and acceptance is never automatic.
02 / BEFORE YOU APPLY
Clear criteria.
No false promises.
Rent2Buy is a rental-to-ownership arrangement, not a business loan or conventional hire purchase. Trading for yourself does not automatically exclude you, but we must be satisfied that the rentals are affordable and your identity, documents and location meet the scheme criteria.
Check full eligibility criteriaLocation
You must normally live within 100 driving miles of Southampton SO40 2NN. Collection is from Southampton; UK-wide delivery is not offered for this scheme.
Documents and income
We normally request recent bank statements, two proofs of address and a full UK or accepted EU driving licence to assess identity and affordability.
Rentals and ownership
An initial rental and monthly rentals apply. The van is yours only if you complete the agreement and exercise the current £99 final purchase option.
03 / HOW IT WORKS
Four straightforward steps.
There are checks, but no need to guess what happens next. Here's the general Rent2Buy application process.
Tell us what you need
Complete the Rent2Buy application with your details, circumstances and the type of van you need.
Provide supporting proofs
Upload the requested bank statements, proof of address and driving licence so we can review the application.
We assess affordability
We check identity, income, commitments, location and eligibility. There is no traditional credit check, but approval is not automatic.
Choose an eligible van
If approved, select a van offered on Rent2Buy, review the agreed rentals and arrange insurance before collection.
04 / QUESTIONS ANSWERED
The details
worth knowing.
Every application is reviewed individually. Your written agreement confirms the terms for the van you choose.
Can I apply if I'm self-employed rather than on PAYE?
Yes. Self-employed applicants, sole traders and contractors can apply. We assess your current income, regular commitments, identity and supporting documents rather than performing a traditional credit check.
What if my income changes from month to month?
Variable income does not automatically rule you out. Recent full bank statements and other relevant evidence can help us understand the pattern of income and the affordability of the proposed monthly rental.
Do I need several years of business accounts?
Not necessarily. The documents requested depend on the application and the information available. We still need adequate evidence of income, identity and affordability, and cannot promise acceptance before assessing it.
Can I choose a van suitable for my trade?
You can browse the vans currently available through Rent2Buy and choose a vehicle suited to your work. Confirm equipment, load space, mileage allowance and other requirements before entering an agreement.
Are the monthly rentals and initial payment subject to VAT?
Rent2Buy vehicle listings show rental amounts and VAT information. The initial rental is at least £1,000 plus VAT (£1,200 including VAT); the actual initial and monthly rentals depend on the particular van and agreement.
Do I need to live near Southampton?
Yes. You must normally live within 100 driving miles of Southampton SO40 2NN and collect the van from Southampton. This is not a nationwide delivery scheme.
Does being self-employed mean I'm guaranteed approval?
No. All applications remain subject to assessment of affordability, identity, documentation, location and the full Rent2Buy criteria.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
A working van could still be within reach.
Find a van that suits your working day and compare the advertised rentals. If the vehicle and monthly commitment look right, apply with the information needed to assess your circumstances.