Car Depreciation Calculator
Cars lose value from the moment you buy them. See the total loss, the yearly/monthly rate and the per-mile depreciation cost of your car.
Loading the interactive calculator… if it does not appear, JavaScript is disabled — use the inputs below the calculator or visit the tool with JavaScript enabled.
Why cost of ownership matters
The purchase price is only the beginning. Fuel or electricity, insurance, road tax, the roadworthiness test (NCT in Ireland, MOT in the UK), servicing, tyres, repairs and depreciation together usually cost more than the car itself over a few years. Use this tool to see the full picture before you buy.
How to use this calculator
Enter realistic figures for your situation — what you actually pay for insurance, what you expect to drive in a year — and the tool breaks the total down into monthly, weekly, yearly and per-distance costs. Adjust any figure and the results update instantly.
Frequently asked questions
How is car depreciation calculated?
Enter the purchase price, the age and the expected resale value, and the tool shows the total loss plus the loss per year, per month and per mile or kilometre driven, in your local currency.
Why is depreciation the biggest cost of owning a car?
Because a new car loses a large share of its value in the first years, before fuel, insurance, road tax and the roadworthiness test (NCT in Ireland, MOT in the UK) are counted. Over five years it usually outweighs every other line.
Which cars hold their value best?
Resale data varies by model, year and your country. Enter the real trade-in or asking price for the car you are considering instead of using a rule of thumb.
Should I include depreciation in a cost comparison?
Yes — leaving it out flatters new cars and makes cheap used cars look worse than they are. The Car Cost Calculator includes it alongside road tax and the roadworthiness test (NCT in Ireland, MOT in the UK).
Estimate only: results depend entirely on the inputs. Prices and rates change; check current official sources before committing.