[scott_w]

In practice this isn’t a problem. Take a non-software example:

Driving instructors typically have their cars on a 3 year hire purchase then return instead of buying. Why? Way back when, my driving instructor actually bought one of the cars. 3 months later, the engine failed and it was out of warranty.

Because of that, he realised that paying a monthly fee meant he had no surprise failures, he returned the car just as the clutch was burning out (learner drivers don’t have great driving technique, weirdly enough), and had a fresh car every 3 years for new learners.

[quesera]

Makes sense, but FWIW and IIRC, the terms of an ordinary car lease prohibit commercial use.

[scott_w]

I don’t know the details but I’m assuming he’s using commercial lease hiring, or the U.K. rules are different. The mileage and wear and tear alone would mean he’d be unable to hide it.

[gukov]

If it's for business use you should be able to expense it.

[danielheath]

If it’s for your own business who do you send the receipt to?

[stickydink]

The government

[masklinn]

Yeah I've never heard anyone think a driving instructor car was a great buy, unless you like replacing basically every driving component which can fail. These cars have it rough. Especially manual. I'm surprised a driving instructor (of all people) would think of doing that without also wanting to do a full engine and transmission rebuild.

[scott_w]

He told me his reasons but he put it down as an expensive lesson learnt.

[voiper1]

I don't think rental covers any and all failures.

[scott_w]

It’s not a rental, it’s hire purchase with a warranty, so the most common things that are going to fail are covered. Other things are just not that likely to fail in the first 3 years.