Trusted by 3000+ clients

Prime Mover Finance

Finance your next prime mover with a team that understands transport.

First truck, a replacement, or another one for the fleet, we'll build the finance around your business and the truck you're buying.

We work with transport operators right across Australia, and with more than 80 lenders on our panel, we can line up options on new or used prime movers to suit you.

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Prime Mover Finance

Prime mover finance for Australian businesses

Prime mover finance is commercial asset finance used to purchase a truck for business purposes.

It can be used by owner-drivers, transport operators and larger fleets to purchase new or used prime movers through dealerships, private sellers and auctions.

The finance available will depend on the business, the truck being purchased, its age and condition, the purchase price and the strength of the overall application.

TAFS reviews these factors before approaching lenders so the application can be matched with truck finance options that make sense for the deal.

Prime mover side profile

Financing a prime mover isn't the same as financing a car

Prime movers are high-value working assets and lenders assess them differently from standard business vehicles.

The truck itself matters. Its age, kilometres, make, model, condition and expected working life can influence which lenders will consider the deal and how long they're prepared to finance it for.

Your business also matters. A lender can look at trading history, transport experience, existing finance commitments, cash flow and the work the truck will be used for.

For an established transport company adding another vehicle, the application can centre around the strength of the existing business and fleet.

For an owner-driver purchasing their first truck, previous industry experience and the work available to the business can play a bigger part.

Our team works through those details before the application is submitted.

Close-up of a prime mover

What prime movers can be financed?

TAFS can arrange finance across a broad range of prime movers used in Australian transport and logistics. This can include:

  • Highway and linehaul prime movers
  • Sleeper cab prime movers
  • Day cab prime movers
  • B-double prime movers
  • Heavy haulage prime movers
  • General freight trucks
  • Fleet replacement vehicles
  • Additional trucks for business growth
  • New prime movers
  • Used prime movers

We can also help when the prime mover is being purchased through a dealer, private seller or auction.

  • 15,000+Assets Financed And Businesses Helped
  • $350M+Total Business Funding
  • 80+Lenders To Compare
  • 30+Years Of Business Experience
  • 93%Client Success Rate

Buying your first prime mover?

Moving from driving for someone else into your own truck is a major step.

You might have years of transport experience without having years of financial history under your own ABN. In that situation, we look at the whole application rather than treating business age as the only factor.

Your driving experience, credit profile, expected work, purchase price, deposit and the truck you're buying can all help shape the finance options available.

TAFS works with lenders that consider different business profiles, including newer operators entering ownership for the first time.

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Adding another truck to the fleet?

Another prime mover can give a transport business the capacity to take on more work, replace unreliable equipment or service a new contract.

The finance still needs to fit comfortably alongside your existing commitments.

We can review the current fleet, existing vehicle finance, the purchase you're considering and how the additional truck fits into the business before recommending a structure.

For businesses regularly purchasing or replacing vehicles, this can also help create a clearer approach to future fleet finance rather than assessing every truck in isolation.

Truck Fleet Finance

New and used prime mover finance

TAFS can arrange finance for both new and used prime movers.

A new prime mover will usually have a long remaining working life and clear supplier documentation, which can make the asset straightforward for lenders to assess.

Used prime movers vary much more widely. A three-year-old truck with moderate kilometres is a different proposition from an older vehicle that has already spent years working long-haul routes.

Older trucks can still be financed. The important part is matching the vehicle with lenders whose asset policies suit what you're buying.

Lenders can consider:

  • Vehicle age
  • Kilometres travelled
  • Overall condition
  • Purchase price
  • Make and model
  • Proposed finance term
  • Expected age of the truck when the loan finishes

Dealer, private sale and auction purchases

Where you're buying the prime mover can affect the finance process.

Dealer purchase

Dealer purchases usually come with established vehicle and seller documentation, which can help keep settlement straightforward.

Private sale

TAFS can arrange finance when you're purchasing directly from another business or private seller.

The lender can require additional checks around the seller, vehicle ownership and the truck itself before settlement.

Private sale truck finance →

Auction purchase

Auction purchases can move quickly, particularly once you've successfully bid on a vehicle.

If you're planning to buy at auction, speaking with us before bidding can give you a clearer idea of your finance position. Final approval will still depend on the truck meeting lender requirements.

Auction truck finance →

What lenders look at

There's no single checklist that every lender uses for prime mover finance. Depending on the application, they'll generally consider a combination of the following.

Your business

How long you've been trading, turnover, cash flow and existing financial commitments can influence the available options.

Your transport experience

Industry experience can be particularly important for newer businesses or first-time owner-drivers.

The prime mover

The make, model, age, kilometres, purchase price and condition can affect both lender appetite and the maximum finance term.

How the truck will be used

The lender can consider whether the truck will be used for linehaul, general freight, heavy haulage, subcontracting or another commercial transport purpose.

Your credit profile

Personal and business credit history can form part of the assessment.

Deposit or trade-in

A deposit isn't always required, although contributing cash or trading an existing truck can strengthen some applications.

Recent TAFS deal

A recent TAFS prime mover deal

One recent TAFS client was purchasing a 2012 MAN prime mover through a private sale.

The vehicle was an older commercial truck, so lender selection was important. The deal needed a lender that was comfortable with both the age of the asset and the private-sale transaction.

TAFS arranged the purchase using a 60-month chattel mortgage, allowing the client to secure the truck and put it to work in the business.

Deals like this are a good example of why prime mover finance often comes down to lender fit. A truck that sits outside one lender's policy can fit comfortably with another.

  • 2012 MAN prime mover
  • Private sale
  • 60-month chattel mortgage
2012 MAN prime mover financed by TAFS
Why TAFS

Why businesses use TAFS for prime mover finance

80+ Lenders

We have access to a broad panel of banks and specialist commercial lenders, giving us more ways to structure a deal.

Internal credit team

Applications are reviewed before they're submitted so the lender gets a clear picture of the business, the truck and the purpose of the finance.

93% Client success rate

We focus on matching each application with lenders suited to the deal and presenting the application properly from the start.

Commercial asset finance specialists

Our team works with businesses purchasing trucks, trailers, machinery and equipment every day. We understand how commercial assets are assessed and how finance needs to fit around the operation of the business.

Trusted lender partners:

Azora Banjo Bizcap Branded Financial Capify CFI Finance Dynamoney Finance One Grenke Judo Bank Lumi MoneyMe
The TAFS Process

How prime mover finance works with TAFS

  • Step 1

    Tell us about the truck

    Send us the prime mover details, purchase price and some information about your business.

  • Step 2

    We review the application

    Our team looks at the asset, business profile, finance requirements and anything else that will influence lender selection.

  • Step 3

    We find suitable options

    We compare the application against lenders from our panel and identify the options suited to the transaction.

  • Step 4

    We manage approval and settlement

    Once you've chosen an option, we work through the lender requirements and documentation to get the truck settled.

Start Your Application Call 1300 558 758
FAQ

Prime Mover Finance FAQs

We don't just send applications out. We structure them properly from the start.

  • Can you finance a used prime mover?

    Yes. TAFS can arrange finance for used prime movers across a range of ages and price points. Lenders can consider the truck's age, kilometres, condition and expected working life when assessing the application.

  • Can I finance an older prime mover?

    Older prime movers can be financed with selected lenders. The maximum vehicle age and acceptable age at the end of the finance term varies between lenders, so the truck needs to be matched with the right asset policy.

  • Can I finance a prime mover with a new ABN?

    Yes. Finance can be available for newer businesses. Previous transport experience, credit history, expected work, the truck being purchased and any deposit can become more important where the business has limited trading history.

    New ABN Truck Finance →
  • Can a sole trader finance a prime mover?

    Yes. Sole traders can apply for prime mover finance when the vehicle is being purchased predominantly for business use and the application meets lender criteria.

    Sole Trader Truck Finance →
  • Is low-doc prime mover finance available?

    Low-doc options are available for some businesses. The exact requirements vary between lenders and can depend on ABN age, GST registration, asset value, credit history and the amount being financed.

    Low Doc Truck Finance →
  • Do I need a deposit?

    Not in every case. Some businesses can finance the full purchase price, while other applications can benefit from a deposit or trade-in.

  • Can I buy a prime mover through a private seller?

    Yes. TAFS can arrange finance for private-sale prime movers. Lenders can require additional checks around the seller, ownership and vehicle before funds are released.

    Private Sale Truck Finance →
  • Can I get finance before I find the truck?

    Depending on the lender and your circumstances, it can be possible to get an indication or conditional approval before selecting the final vehicle. The lender will still need to approve the prime mover before settlement.

  • Can I finance a prime mover and trailer?

    Yes. Depending on the purchase and lender, a prime mover and trailer can be financed together or as separate facilities.

    Trailer Finance →
  • How long can I finance a prime mover for?

    Commercial vehicle finance terms commonly vary depending on the truck and applicant. The vehicle's age and expected working life can become particularly important when determining an appropriate term for a used prime mover.

  • How quickly can prime mover finance be approved?

    Straightforward applications can move quickly once the required information is available. Timing will depend on the lender, complexity of the application, purchase type and whether additional vehicle or seller checks are required.

More truck finance options

Truck Finance

Explore finance options across the full TAFS truck finance range.

Rigid Truck Finance

Finance for rigid trucks used across freight, delivery, trades and commercial operations.

Tipper Truck Finance

Finance for tipper trucks used in construction, civil, earthmoving and transport businesses.

New Truck Finance

Commercial finance for businesses purchasing new trucks.

Used Truck Finance

Finance for second-hand trucks across a range of ages and commercial applications.

Private Sale Truck Finance

Finance for trucks purchased directly from another business or owner.

Truck Fleet Finance

Finance for businesses adding vehicles, replacing trucks or expanding an existing fleet.

Ready to finance your next prime mover?

Tell us what you're buying and where your business it at. We'll review the truck, structure the application and compare suitable options across our lender panel.

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