Sell Your Unpaid Invoice for Cash UK (2026)

Market Invoice is an independent UK invoice finance comparison site that ranks 87 UK invoice finance providers.

You can sell an unpaid UK B2B invoice in one of two ways. Spot factoring providers (Hydr, Triver) advance most of the invoice value, often within 24 hours, and take over the chasing process for a fee that rises with the invoice's age. Outright debt sale to a debt purchaser typically pays only a fraction of face value and is used for older debts (90 plus days), distressed debtors, or when you simply want the debt off your books. For most unpaid invoices under 90 days old with a solvent debtor, spot factoring recovers far more value.

What this page covers

This page covers

sell unpaid invoice for cash UK: spot factoring vs debt sale, recovery rates, fees, disclosed vs confidential, and provider comparison

Not covered here

General invoice finance education (see /guides/), individual provider reviews (see /providers/), full pricing breakdown (see /guides/costs/)

UK providers worth knowing

ProviderFee fromMin turnoverWhy it fits
HydrVariableNo minSingle invoice sale, 24-hour funding decision
TriverFrom 0.06%/dayNo minAPI-driven instant decisions, no contracts
IGF Invoice FinanceNot published£5mAsset-based lending for businesses over £5m turnover, not single invoices
SonovateVariableNo minRecruitment / contractor invoices specifically
AP

Adam Parker

Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, founder and PSC of Best Business Loans Ltd

Adam is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose and a founder of Best Business Loans Ltd, the company behind Market Invoice. He spent over three years as managing director of Penny, a UK invoice finance business, and his career runs through insurance, mortgages, commercial finance and fintech lending. He writes the Market Invoice library.

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Sell Unpaid Invoice UK FAQ

Can I sell an unpaid invoice for cash UK?

Yes, two routes. (1) Spot factoring: sell the invoice to a finance provider who advances 70-90% within 24 hours and chases the customer for full value, then pays you the balance minus their fee. Best for invoices under 90 days overdue with a solvent debtor. (2) Debt sale: sell the receivable outright to a debt purchaser for a fraction of face value, with no recourse and no further involvement. Best for old debt, disputed debt, or when you want it off your books.

How much will I get for an unpaid invoice?

Spot factoring: an advance of most of the invoice value, often within 24 hours, plus the balance (minus the fee) when the customer pays, so you recover the invoice value less the fee. Debt sale: a fraction of face value, paid upfront, no further involvement. The purchaser prices in the chance of never collecting. The right choice depends on whether the debtor is solvent and how quickly you need cash.

Can I sell a 90 day overdue invoice UK?

Yes but at a steeper discount. Some spot factoring providers will quote on moderately overdue invoices, with a lower advance and a higher fee as the age increases. Well past 60 to 90 days overdue, most decline. For very old invoices or where the debtor is insolvent, debt sale becomes the realistic recovery option, at a steep discount.

Will my customer know I sold their invoice?

Depends on the facility. Disclosed factoring (most spot factoring providers): yes, the customer is told to pay the factor directly. Confidential invoice discounting: no, the customer continues paying you and you forward the funds to the financier. Most spot factoring uses disclosed assignment because the factor takes over chasing. If customer relationship sensitivity matters, ask for a confidential facility or use invoice discounting on whole-book finance instead.

Spot factoring vs debt sale UK?

Spot factoring: invoice value less the fee, cash often within 24 hours, factor chases, customer relationship preserved on confidential facilities, recourse comes back if customer disputes. Best for solvent debtors, recent debts, and where customer relationship matters. Debt sale: a fraction of face value, immediate finality, no recourse, customer no longer your problem. Best for very old debts, distressed debtors, or when you just want the debt off your books for accounting purposes.

Do I need a long-term contract to sell one invoice?

No. Spot factoring (the name says it) is single-invoice, no minimum, no monthly fees, no facility tie-in. Hydr and Triver both offer one-off invoice funding. Whole-book factoring has 12-24 month contracts, monthly minimums and exit fees. If you have one or a few problem invoices, spot is the right product. If you want continuous funding across all invoices, whole-book is more cost-effective per pound advanced.