1 — Compact commuter
Lower payment — annual costs still add up
TCO · more than the monthly payment
Car true cost
Most cars cost more than the monthly payment suggests. This calculator estimates what a car really costs you over time — depreciation, interest, and annual running costs included.
This is an estimate for individual owners. Depreciation = purchase − resale (counted once). Interest covers the ownership period only. Enter fuel as an annual cost to keep the model simple.
Result
Enter purchase price and ownership years, then estimate. Presets fill typical scenarios.
What counts as the true cost of a car?
Most people watch the payment or the fuel bill. The real cost also includes depreciation, loan interest, insurance, maintenance, taxes, and often parking or tolls.
This tool rolls those pieces into one number: total, monthly, yearly, and per unit of distance from the header.
How to use
- Enter purchase price and optional down payment / loan terms.
- Set how long you will keep the car and annual mileage.
- Add yearly costs: fuel/charging, insurance, maintenance, taxes, parking.
- Estimate resale value at the end of ownership.
- Compare the all-in monthly figure with the loan payment alone.
How the estimate works
Depreciation = purchase price − resale value (not added twice).
Interest = amortized loan interest during ownership months (not principal).
Running costs = fuel + insurance + maintenance + taxes + parking, × ownership years.
TCO = depreciation + interest + running costs.
Limits: no crash claims, fuel-price swings, precise resale markets, or local insurance discounts. A practical consumer estimate — not an appraisal.
Example profiles
2 — Family SUV
Higher depreciation and fuel — monthly true cost jumps
3 — Used budget option
Cheap to buy, pricier to maintain — not always cheapest overall
FAQ
Is depreciation usually the biggest car cost?
Often yes — especially on newer cars. The breakdown shows whether depreciation, fuel, or insurance dominates in your case.
Should I include parking and tolls in car ownership cost?
Yes if you actually pay them. Leave the field at 0 when it does not apply.
Is a cheap used car always cheaper to own?
Not always. A lower purchase price can be offset by higher repairs. Compare presets to see the trade-off.
How is this different from just looking at the monthly payment?
The payment is principal plus interest. This estimate also folds in depreciation and annual running costs — usually far above the payment alone.
What if I plan to sell the car early?
Shorten the ownership period and raise expected resale. Interest is counted only for the months you own the car.
How is this different from the full TCO calculator on Calcboxer?
This is a simpler consumer estimate (annual fuel cost instead of economy × price). The full TCO tool covers more finance and energy paths.