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True cost of owning a car

Estimate annual car costs: fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.

Adjust your estimate

Move the sliders or enter your values directly.

Understanding your estimate

Fuel is only part of car ownership. Insurance, maintenance and depreciation also matter. Adjust depreciation to reflect your vehicle.

This tool helps with planning; it is not a quote, invoice or professional advice. Adjust the defaults to your own situation instead of treating them as national averages.

Comparing different scenarios

Try changing one input at a time to see which cost has the greatest effect. To compare two scenarios, write down the first result before moving the sliders again.

Use the reset button to return to the starting values.

Cost per mile and annual ownership

To compare cars, include fuel or charging, insurance, maintenance, tyres, parking and depreciation. Low-mileage cars may have a surprisingly high cost per mile because fixed costs are spread over fewer trips.

Example: $1,200 in annual fixed costs over 6,000 miles already means $0.20 per mile before fuel.

Should I include depreciation?

Yes. A car losing value is a real ownership cost, even when you do not pay it as a monthly bill.

What does owning a car really cost?

Fuel is only one part of ownership. Insurance, servicing, tyres, parking and depreciation matter too. Low annual mileage can mean a surprisingly high cost per mile because fixed costs remain.

Compare petrol, diesel and electric cars

For combustion vehicles, estimate fuel consumption and pump prices. For EVs, use energy consumption and charging rates instead. Insurance and depreciation still apply.

Annual, monthly and per-mile costs

Divide annual ownership cost by distance driven to compare vehicles. A monthly equivalent makes it easier to save for irregular expenses.

Frequently asked questions

How do I use this calculator?

Move the sliders or enter a number. Results update instantly without signing up.

Is this result exact?

No. This is an estimate based on your assumptions. Actual prices, contracts, taxes and costs may vary.

Are my values saved?

Yes, only in this browser’s local storage. Reset the calculator or clear your browser data to remove them.

How do I calculate a car’s cost per mile?

Add annual fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation, then divide by the number of miles driven in the year.

Why include depreciation in car ownership costs?

Even if no money leaves your account every month, your vehicle may lose resale value. That reduction is part of long-term ownership costs.