CAR CALCULATOR
Car Ownership Cost Calculator
Estimate the full cost of owning a vehicle, including recurring expenses, financing cost, and resale value.
Your ownership estimate
Total = purchase price + financing cost + (annual expenses × years) − resale value
Planning estimate only. It does not include every possible cost, such as parking, tolls, taxes, unexpected repairs, or opportunity cost. Actual resale value and expenses may differ.
How to use this calculator
Estimate the complete cost of keeping a vehicle for a chosen number of years, including recurring costs and resale value.
Who this is for: Use it when comparing a new car with a used car, deciding how long to keep a vehicle, or checking whether a lower purchase price really means lower long-term cost.
- Enter the purchase price and expected years owned.
- Add annual insurance, registration, maintenance, fuel or energy, and driving distance.
- Add total financing cost and subtract the estimated resale value.
Example comparison
Example: for a five-year ownership plan, enter the vehicle price, five years of expected running costs, total loan interest, and the estimated sale price after year five. The monthly result spreads the full estimated cost across 60 months.
How the calculation works
Total ownership cost = purchase price + financing + annual expenses x years - resale value.
Understanding the result
Monthly and annual figures spread the estimated total across the ownership period. Cost per distance also accounts for how much the vehicle is driven.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in total ownership cost?
The estimate combines purchase price, financing, recurring costs, and expected resale value using the assumptions you enter.
Is depreciation included?
Yes. Subtracting resale value from purchase price represents the estimated value lost during ownership.
What costs might still be missing?
Parking, tolls, taxes, unexpected repairs, opportunity cost, and location-specific charges may not be included.
How should I estimate resale value?
Check current used-car listings for similar older vehicles, then use a conservative figure so the result does not understate ownership cost.