RealCost Tool
Car Cost Calculator UK
A car can look affordable at first, but the real cost is usually much more than the purchase price.
Use this UK car cost calculator to estimate fuel or charging, insurance, road tax, servicing, MOT, tyres, repairs, depreciation, parking, warranty and regular extras before you commit.
Estimate real ownership cost
See what a car could really cost per month, per year and over your ownership period.
Include hidden costs
Add servicing, MOT, tyres, repairs, parking, warranty and other regular costs.
Add depreciation
Estimate how much value the car may lose while you own it.
Calculate the true cost of owning a car
Enter the car price, expected resale value, ownership length and regular running costs to estimate the real monthly, yearly and total cost of ownership.
This calculator gives an estimate. Your actual costs may vary depending on mileage, insurance quotes, repairs, fuel or charging prices, depreciation and how long you keep the car.
The purchase price is not the full cost
Many drivers focus on the price, finance payment or fuel bill. Those numbers matter, but ownership can become expensive because of insurance renewals, servicing, MOT repairs, tyres, depreciation, parking, warranty payments and unexpected repairs.
RealCost note: Use realistic estimates first, then update the numbers when you have quotes or exact figures. If you only compare purchase prices, you may miss the car that is actually cheaper to own.
What the calculator includes
The calculator uses purchase cost, resale value, ownership length and regular running costs to estimate the real cost of keeping a car.
Purchase and resale
Enter the car price and what you expect it to be worth when you sell it.
Ownership length
Enter how many years you plan to keep the car for.
Fuel or charging
Add your expected monthly petrol, diesel or EV charging cost.
Insurance and tax
Include monthly insurance and yearly road tax for the exact car.
Maintenance and repairs
Add servicing, MOT, tyres and a repair buffer, especially for used cars.
Regular extras
Add parking, permits, breakdown cover, warranty payments and other monthly car costs.
What the results tell you
Use the results to understand both regular monthly spending and longer-term ownership cost.
Total depreciation
How much value the car may lose while you own it.
Monthly depreciation
The estimated value lost each month during ownership.
Monthly maintenance and repair
Servicing, MOT, tyres and repairs averaged into a monthly figure.
Monthly running cost
Your regular monthly car costs before depreciation is added.
True monthly cost
Your estimated monthly cost including depreciation. This is the headline result.
Total ownership cost
The estimated total cost of owning the car for the number of years entered.
Example car ownership result
This example shows why a car can cost more than it feels like each month.
Car price
£10,000
Resale value
£4,000
Depreciation
£6,000
Kept for
5 years
Depreciation alone adds about:
£100 per month
That is before fuel, insurance, tax, servicing, MOT, tyres or repairs are included.
How to use the calculator properly
Use the same ownership period when comparing cars so the results are easier to judge.
Start with real quotes
Use a real insurance quote and realistic road tax where possible.
Do not hide maintenance
Separate servicing, MOT, tyres and repairs rather than using one vague number.
Compare more than one car
Repeat the calculator for each car you are considering before choosing.
Before buying a car, check these costs
These are the costs most likely to turn an affordable-looking car into an expensive one.
Get a quote before committing, especially for first cars or premium models.
Estimate based on your real driving, not just advertised figures.
Check the exact car, not just the model name.
Look up service intervals and leave room for MOT work.
Large wheels can mean much higher replacement costs.
Older, premium or neglected cars need a realistic repair buffer.
Cheap to buy does not always mean cheap to own
The better choice depends on insurance, fuel, repair risk, depreciation and how long you plan to keep the car.
Car A: cheaper upfront
- Lower purchase price
- Higher insurance
- Poorer fuel economy
- More repair risk
- Lower resale value later
Result: It may cost more over time.
Car B: more expensive upfront
- Higher purchase price
- Lower insurance
- Better fuel economy
- Stronger reliability
- Better resale value later
Result: It may be cheaper to own.
When this calculator is most useful
Use it whenever the buying decision depends on the full cost, not just the price.
What to calculate next
Use these calculators to improve the estimate before you buy or compare cars.
Car Insurance Cost Calculator UK
Compare annual insurance, monthly payment cost and quotes.
Car Maintenance Cost Calculator UK
Estimate servicing, MOT, tyres and repair allowance.
Fuel Cost Per Mile Calculator UK
Work out fuel cost per mile, per month and per year.
EV Charging Cost Calculator UK
Estimate EV charging cost per charge, per mile and per year.
Car Rent vs Buy Calculator UK
Compare renting, hiring or subscribing against buying and selling later.
Related car buying guides
Use these guides when the calculator shows a car may be too expensive to own.
Average Cost of Owning a Car Per Month UK
Understand typical monthly car ownership costs.