Total Cost of Car Ownership
Calculate the true total cost of owning a car in the UK. Instantly estimate finance, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation costs over your chosen timeframe.
Calculate Your Total Costs
Enter your vehicle purchase details, expected running costs, and resale value to get an instant, personalised evaluation of your true cost of ownership.
Vehicle & Finance Details
Enter your car’s purchase and finance figures in GBP (£)
Ownership Evaluation
Calculated total cost of ownership and monthly averages
Average 5-Year TCO by Vehicle Type
Estimated average total cost of ownership over 5 years (8,000 miles/year), excluding finance interest.
| Vehicle Type | Depreciation | Fuel / Energy | Est. 5-Year TCO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Petrol Hatchback | £6,000 | £5,500 | £17,500 |
| Family Diesel SUV | £12,000 | £8,000 | £28,500 |
| Electric Vehicle (EV) | £15,000 | £3,000 | £24,000 |
| Luxury Executive Saloon | £25,000 | £9,500 | £45,000+ |
Car Ownership FAQ
Everything you need to know about calculating and reducing your vehicle’s total cost of ownership.
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the comprehensive sum of all expenses associated with buying and operating a vehicle over a specific period. It includes the purchase price, finance interest, fuel, insurance, road tax, maintenance, repairs, and the loss of value through depreciation.
Depreciation is the difference between what you pay for a car and what you can sell it for. New cars can lose 40% to 60% of their value in the first three years. While you don’t pay this out of pocket monthly, it is a real financial cost that significantly impacts your overall TCO.
Financing a car adds interest charges to the purchase price. A longer loan term lowers your monthly payments but increases the total interest paid, thereby raising your overall cost of ownership. A larger deposit or shorter term can significantly reduce this cost.
Electric vehicles (EVs) typically have higher upfront purchase prices and can be more expensive to insure. However, they are significantly cheaper to ‘fuel’ (electricity vs. petrol/diesel), have lower routine maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts, and often benefit from lower road tax, which can make their long-term TCO highly competitive.