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What will this car really cost me?

The sticker price is the smallest part of the story. Depreciation, fuel, insurance, and repairs usually cost more than the payment — here's what the car really costs per year and per mile.

The purchase

VEHICLE
$
$
%
mo
%

Financed with the loan, but not part of what the car is worth later — none of it comes back when you sell.

yrs
$

Running costs

EVERY YEAR
mpg
$
$
$

Charged flat — the same figure every year.

$

Rises by 25% of this figure each year the car ages — year two costs 1.25 times it, year three 1.5, and so on. Not a compounding rate.

$
🧮

Enter a purchase price and how many years you plan to keep the car.

Save or send these numbersEmail

All four happen in your browser. Your figures are not sent anywhere — the email opens in your own mail app, already filled in.

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The largest cost is the one that never sends a billA written guide to the rules behind this calculator →
For educational purposes only. Insurance, fuel prices, and repair costs vary widely by location, driving record, and model. Resale values are estimates — check current market data for your specific vehicle, year, and mileage.