Car ownership cost calculator
Compare two used cars by what they really cost you: fuel, insurance, tax, servicing and the value they lose. Pick your country for its official fuel prices and currency, then replace the example figures with yours.
Compare the two cars
Older vehicle or shorter chassis number? Check the manufacturer’s records or read our VIN guide.
What goes into the cost
Fuel or charging
Distance × consumption × price. Use the real-world figure owners report, not the brochure one.
Value loss
Purchase price minus resale value, spread over the years you keep the car. Empty resale value: we assume 15% a year.
Insurance
Get a quote for each car before you buy. Engine size, age and the model’s claims record change it a lot.
Tax
Yearly road or registration tax where your country charges one, based on engine, CO₂ or weight.
Servicing and repairs
Services, tyres, brakes and a reserve for repairs. Older and higher-mileage cars need a bigger reserve.
Not included: financing, parking, tolls and cleaning. Add them to servicing if you want them in the total.
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to own a car per month?
Add up fuel, insurance, tax, servicing and the value the car loses each year, then divide by 12. For an average used family car in Europe that is often a few hundred euros a month, but it depends heavily on how far you drive and on the car.
What is depreciation and why does it count?
It is the money you lose because the car is worth less when you sell it. You do not pay it month by month, but it is usually one of the largest costs. If you leave the resale value empty, the calculator assumes the car loses 15% of its value a year.
How do I estimate the resale value?
Look at adverts for the same model, engine and trim that is as many years older as you plan to keep it, with a similar mileage. Use a typical asking price, not the cheapest one.
Where do the fuel and electricity prices come from?
The price per litre or kWh next to each car starts with the official average for the country you pick, with taxes: the European Commission’s Weekly Oil Bulletin for petrol and diesel in every EU country, Eurostat for household electricity, and for the UK the government’s weekly road fuel prices and Ofgem’s price cap. Currencies use the European Central Bank’s reference rates. They are refreshed each time the site is published. Public fast chargers cost more than home electricity, so raise the price if you charge on the road.
Which car insurance do I need?
Third-party liability is compulsory in every EU country and in the UK; it pays for damage you cause to others. Cover for your own car (casco, comprehensive) is optional. Point at the “i” next to “Insurance a year” to see what it is called in the country you picked and what changes the price.
Does it work for an electric car?
Yes. Choose “Electric” as the fuel and enter the consumption in kWh per 100 km (or miles per kWh). The price per kWh next to it starts at the country’s home electricity price; raise it if you charge on the road.
Why is the cheaper car sometimes more expensive to own?
A low price can hide higher fuel use, a pricier insurance group or a large repair that is due soon. The history matters too: a car with hidden damage or a wound-back odometer will cost more in repairs and sell for less.
Also try the mileage calculator or the free VIN decoder.
Sources and further reading
- European Commission, Weekly Oil Bulletin (prices with taxes), 2026-11-02 (external website)
- Eurostat, household electricity prices with taxes (nrg_pc_204), 2026-S1 (external website)
- UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, weekly road fuel prices, 2026-11-02 (external website)
- Ofgem energy price cap, Direct Debit average, 1 Oct to 31 Dec 2026 (external website)
- European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-11-06 (external website)
Editorial source review: 8 November 2026. Availability, access rules and terms may change. No vehicle report or paid purchase is implied by this date.