Car lease vs hire purchase: what’s the difference?

If you’re thinking about leasing a car or equipment for your business and are weighing up your options or you aren’t sure if a lease or hire purchase is the right decision, we’re here to help you get familiar with the pros and cons.

 

What is a hire purchase?

A hire purchase is an agreement between your business and a lender to buy a vehicle or equipment over an agreed period. The lender buys the vehicle at your request and gives your business possession and use of it in return for regular payments. When the final payment is made, ownership of the vehicle or equipment is transferred to your business. Your business can generally claim interest component on payments and tax depreciation if the asset is used to produce income.

Pros and cons of a hire purchase

The pros:

• ‘Rent to own’ your business assets 
• We buy the vehicle or equipment, and you buy it from us in instalments 
• Potential tax deductions from interest component and tax depreciation costs on the vehicle or equipment.

 

The cons:

• Ownership is only transferred to you once the final payment is made.

What is a lease?

A lease allows you to use the vehicle or equipment for an agreed period in return for regular payments. The lender buys the vehicle or equipment at your request and rents it to you for the agreed period. Once this period ends, you may be able to purchase the vehicle or equipment from the lender, or to return it to the lender. If the asset is used to produce income, your business can usually claim the lease payments.

Pros and cons of a lease

The pros:

• We purchase the asset at your request and rent it to you for an agreed period 
• Use the asset during the lease term 
• Your business can generally claim the lease rental as a tax deduction.

 

The cons:

• You don’t own the asset
• You can’t modify the asset since you don’t own it
• Once the lease ends, you return the car and pay the residual value.

Lease vs. hire purchase

It comes down to the needs and objectives of your business, along with your financial situation. A lease may suit you if you need a vehicle or equipment for a fixed period and want to be able to upgrade to another vehicle at the end of the lease, while a hire purchase might suit you better if you want to buy the vehicle or equipment in instalments, but don’t want to pay the entire amount in one go and need to keep your cash flow available for business expenses. 

How to get a hire purchase or car lease with Westpac

Get an online quote to find out what your repayments could be.