Vehicle Five-Year Ownership Cost Calculator
Total five-year cost of owning a vehicle.
Add up purchase, fuel, insurance, maintenance and tax over five years, less expected resale, for true vehicle ownership cost.
What this tool does
This calculator estimates the total financial outlay for vehicle ownership over five years by combining the purchase price with all recurring costs—fuel, insurance, maintenance, and road tax—then subtracting the expected resale value at the end of the period. The result shows both the total five-year cost and the average annual cost, giving a fuller picture of vehicle affordability beyond the initial price tag. The annual running costs (fuel, insurance, maintenance, and tax) typically drive the largest variations in the final figure. A common scenario is comparing two vehicles with different purchase prices but significantly different fuel or insurance profiles. The calculator assumes the resale value you input is realistic for your market and vehicle condition; actual resale amounts may differ. This tool illustrates costs for educational comparison and does not account for financing charges, depreciation curves, or unexpected repairs.
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Formula Used
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Disclaimer
Results are estimates for educational purposes only. They do not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
A 25,000 car with 1,800 annual fuel, 600 insurance, 400 maintenance and 200 tax, selling for 12,000 after five years, costs about 28,000 over the period — roughly 5,600 a year all-in. That is meaningfully more than just the depreciation, which is what most car comparison tools show.
What the result means
Total cost over five years is the sum of purchase plus all annual costs over the period less the resale value. Per-year cost is that figure divided by five. Use the per-year number to compare cars on a like-for-like basis.
Resale is the biggest single variable. Run sensitivities at high and low resale assumptions to see the range. Higher-quality brands often hold value better, offsetting some of the higher purchase price.
Run it with sensible defaults
Using purchase price of 25,000, annual fuel of 1,800, annual insurance of 600, annual maintenance of 400, the calculation works out to 28,000.00. The defaults are meant as a starting point, not a recommendation.
The levers in this calculation
The inputs — Purchase Price, Annual Fuel, Annual Insurance, Annual Maintenance, and Annual Road Tax — do not pull with equal force.
How the math works
Total ownership cost is purchase price plus five years of summed annual running costs less the expected resale value. Per-year cost divides the total by five.
Why see the number at all
Small recurring spending is invisible by design — every individual transaction is forgettable. Compounded over years, the total often surprises. Seeing the figure doesn't mean you typically need to cut the spending; it just makes the trade-off conscious.
What this doesn't capture
The tool prices the money; it can't weigh the enjoyment. A coffee habit, gym membership, or streaming bundle might cost what the math says but deliver value that's harder to quantify. Use the number to make the trade-off visible — the decision is yours.
Owning a vehicle with £25,000 purchase price and £1,800 annual fuel costs totals 28,000.00 over five years.
Inputs
This example uses typical values for illustration. Adjust the inputs above to match a specific situation and see how the result changes.
Sources & Methodology
Methodology
The calculator computes total five-year vehicle ownership cost by adding the purchase price to five years of combined annual running costs—fuel, insurance, maintenance, and road tax—then subtracting the expected resale value after five years. The per-year ownership cost is derived by dividing this total by five. The model assumes all annual running costs remain constant across the five-year period, treats the resale value as a single lump sum received at year five, and does not account for financing costs, depreciation curves, changes in fuel prices or insurance rates, one-time repairs or failures, or any fees or transaction costs associated with sale. The result represents an average annual figure rather than a precise year-by-year projection.
References
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get resale estimates?
What about financing costs?
Why exclude depreciation as a separate line?
Electric vehicles?
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