Automotive
Vehicle depreciation
Estimate a vehicle’s future value, value loss, and retained-value percentage using a constant annual depreciation rate.
Calculators / Automotive / Vehicle total cost of ownership
Vehicle total cost of ownership calculator
Compare total ownership costs using one currency and consistent assumptions.
On this page
Ownership cost37,000currency units
Cost / year7,400currency units/year
Cost per KM0.49currency units/km
Cost per mile0.79currency units/mile
Calculator controls
How to calculate
Compare total ownership costs using one currency and consistent assumptions.
Ownership cost = purchase − resale + years × annual running costs + finance interest/fees.
Worked example
Purchase price (chosen currency): 30000; Expected resale value (same currency): 15000; Ownership years: 5; Annual running costs: fuel, insurance, service, tax: 4000; Total finance interest and fees: 2000; Annual distance (km): 15000.
Ownership cost: 37,000 currency units; Cost / year: 7,400 currency units/year; Cost per KM: 0.49 currency units/km; Cost per mile: 0.79 currency units/mile.
Assumptions and limits
Compare total ownership costs using one currency and consistent assumptions. Do not add loan principal repayments again: purchase price already includes the vehicle cost. Excludes opportunity cost and inflation; resale may be above purchase price.
Results are rounded for display; calculations use unrounded values. Read our calculation methodology.
Understanding the result
Compare total ownership costs using one currency and consistent assumptions. Do not add loan principal repayments again: purchase price already includes the vehicle cost. Excludes opportunity cost and inflation; resale may be above purchase price.
When this tool is useful
Ownership cost = purchase − resale + years × annual running costs + finance interest/fees.
Understanding your inputs
| Input | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Purchase price (chosen currency) | Enter a number of at least 0 and no more than 1000000000000. |
| Expected resale value (same currency) | Enter a number of at least 0 and no more than 1000000000000. |
| Ownership years | Enter a number of at least 0.001 and no more than 100. |
| Annual running costs: fuel, insurance, service, tax | Enter a number of at least 0 and no more than 1000000000000. |
| Total finance interest and fees | Enter a number of at least 0 and no more than 1000000000000. |
| Annual distance (km) | Enter a number of at least 0.001 and no more than 1000000000000. |
Frequently asked questions
Should I add loan principal to the purchase price?
No. The purchase price already represents the vehicle cost. Add finance interest and fees, but counting principal payments again would double-count the purchase.