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How would you record the purchase of a non-current asset on credit in the books?

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Answer

A credit purchase of a non-current asset doesn't belong in the purchases day book (which is for goods for resale). It's recorded via the journal: debit the relevant asset account and any input VAT, and credit the supplier/other payables account. Depreciation is then handled by separate journal entries over the asset's life.
Journal: buy machine on credit 10,000 + VAT 2,000
  Dr Machinery 10,000
  Dr VAT 2,000
      Cr Payables (supplier) 12,000
Real-world example Buying a delivery van on credit is journalized to the motor vehicles account, not entered in the purchases day book.

Common follow-ups: Why not use the purchases day book? | How is subsequent depreciation recorded?

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All 26 Books of Prime Entry questions