Reviewed by
Billy Lang, Director
FCA Registration No: 835008
The situation
You went self-employed recently. Every leasing form asks for “at least 12 months” of trading and a full set of accounts. You don't have either yet, but the work is real, the income is coming in, and you need a vehicle now — not in six months when the calendar catches up.
We use a soft credit search and accept evidence that fits the situation: bank statements, signed contracts, recent invoices. Not a 12-month accounts requirement, not a paywall.
Eligibility module
What we accept instead of accounts
Honest answer: we look at three things together. The shorter your trading history, the more weight each one carries.
Bank statements
3–6 months. Business or personal. Consistency over time matters more than the absolute number.
Signed contracts
Ongoing client work in writing. A strong signal that the income is not a one-off.
Recent invoices
A handful of paid invoices showing the contract is being honoured.
Subject to status. We do not offer guaranteed approval.
Two products to choose between
The process, end to end
- 1
Soft check
Online or phone. No footprint, no impact on your score.
- 2
Send documents
Bank statements + contracts + invoices, whichever apply. We will tell you what we need.
- 3
Honest indication
Yes, no, or what would change the answer. Plain language.
- 4
Vehicle & agreement
Choose vehicle, term, mileage, initial rental.
- 5
Hard search & sign
Only at full agreement, with your knowledge.
What affects the price
The same things as any lease — vehicle, term, mileage, and initial rental. Newly self-employed applicants typically sit on the 3-month initial-rental structure rather than 1.5 months until trading history builds up. Total cost over the lease is the same; only the cash up front differs.
A real example
Placeholder — awaiting real case study
Anonymised approval — under-12-months self-employed
Short paragraph describing one real customer (no name) who was approved within their first year of self-employment, what evidence we accepted, and the vehicle / term they ended up with. Client to supply.
Related
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need to have been self-employed?
There is no fixed minimum. Even applicants in their first three months can be considered if they have signed contracts, ongoing invoicing, and a credible affordability picture. The shorter the trading time, the more we lean on contracts and bank statements.
What documents do you accept?
Three to six months of bank statements (business or personal), signed contracts where you have ongoing work agreed, recent invoices showing trading, and ID. We tell you what is needed for your specific application — nothing more.
Can I use my contract as proof of income?
Yes. A signed contract from a credible client is one of the strongest pieces of evidence for under-12-months applicants, especially when paired with bank statements showing the contract being honoured.
Will the soft credit check affect my score?
No. The soft search at quote stage leaves no footprint on your credit file and does not affect your score. A hard search only happens at the full agreement stage, with your knowledge.
What is the minimum deposit?
Initial rentals are typically structured as 1.5 or 3 months. Newer self-employed applicants usually sit on the 3-month structure. The total cost over the lease is the same — only the cash up-front differs.
What happens if I'm declined?
We tell you, plainly. No mark on your file from the soft check. Where we can suggest something that would change the outcome (additional months of statements, a guarantor, a different vehicle), we will.
All applications are subject to status.
We do not offer guaranteed approval. First Flexi Lease is a trading name of Oak First Investments Ltd. FCA Registration No: 835008. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Send your documents — get an honest answer
No mark on your file. No 12-months-or-nothing rule.
