Enter Vehicle Cost Inputs
The result appears above this form after calculation.
Example Data Table
| Input | Example Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | 28,000 | Total vehicle price before taxes. |
| Loan Amount | 24,000 | Financed portion after down payment. |
| Insurance per Month | 145 | Regular premium paid every month. |
| Fuel Price | 1.25 | Price per liter or gallon. |
| Distance per Month | 1,200 | Average monthly travel distance. |
| Depreciation Rate | 12% | Estimated yearly value loss. |
Formula Used
Monthly loan payment: P × [r(1+r)n] ÷ [(1+r)n - 1]
Monthly fuel cost: (Monthly distance ÷ Efficiency) × Fuel price
Monthly repairs reserve: Annual repairs ÷ 12
Monthly registration: Annual registration ÷ 12
Monthly depreciation: greater of annual rate loss or straight-line ownership loss, divided by 12
Total monthly cost: loan + fuel + insurance + maintenance + repairs + registration + parking + tolls + cleaning + depreciation
Cost per km: Monthly total ÷ Monthly distance
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the vehicle purchase price and any down payment.
- Add financing details if the car is bought with a loan.
- Fill in monthly and yearly running costs carefully.
- Enter fuel price, efficiency, and distance for realistic fuel estimates.
- Set your analysis years and expected resale value.
- Press the calculate button to show the summary above the form.
- Use the CSV or PDF buttons to save the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does this calculator include?
It includes purchase tax, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, registration, parking, tolls, cleaning, and depreciation. That gives a more realistic ownership view than fuel or loan estimates alone.
2. Why is depreciation included?
Depreciation reflects the value your vehicle loses over time. Even if you do not pay it monthly, it is still part of the real cost of owning a car.
3. Can I use miles instead of kilometers?
Yes. Keep your distance and efficiency units consistent. If you enter miles and miles per gallon, the cost per distance value still remains meaningful.
4. What if I bought the car with cash?
Set the loan amount and loan payment inputs effectively to zero. The calculator will then focus on taxes, depreciation, and ongoing operating expenses.
5. Should resale value be estimated?
Yes. A reasonable resale estimate improves long-term ownership calculations. Using market listings, depreciation guides, or local dealer quotes can make your results more practical.
6. How accurate are fuel costs?
Fuel estimates depend on real driving behavior, traffic, weather, and vehicle condition. Update fuel price, efficiency, and monthly distance often for better budgeting accuracy.
7. Can this help compare two cars?
Yes. Run the calculator separately for each vehicle and compare monthly total, annual total, depreciation, and cost per distance to identify the cheaper option.
8. Why is my long-term total much higher?
Long-term totals combine recurring monthly expenses with purchase tax, down payment effects, and value loss. Over several years, these categories add up quickly.