Total Cost of Car Ownership Calculator
Last updated: October 15, 2026
Estimate multi-year vehicle ownership cost from financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration and expected resale value.
Starting figures illustrate this model. Enter your own measurements, quoted costs and applicable terms; this page does not retrieve live prices or provider rates.
Estimated net ownership cost
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- Estimated loan payment: —
- Fuel cost over ownership period: —
- Insurance, maintenance and registration: —
- Average monthly ownership cost: —
On this page
Quick summary: Estimate multi-year vehicle ownership cost from financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration and expected resale value.
Read the method, example and limitations
Updated reference sections in this guide are in English.
Guide language: English. Updated October 15, 2026.
What this calculator estimates
Total Cost of Car Ownership Calculator
Inputs and units
Use the units shown for Vehicle purchase price ($), Down payment ($), Net trade-in credit ($), Loan APR (%), Loan term (months), Ownership period (years), Miles driven per year, Fuel economy (MPG), Fuel price per gallon ($), Annual insurance cost ($), Maintenance and tires per mile ($), Annual registration and taxes ($), Expected resale value at end ($). Required fields cannot be blank. Use zero only where that field and the model allow it. Select Calculate after changing a scenario.
Method and assumptions
The purchase price is financed after subtracting cash down and trade credit. At the end of ownership, add cash down, the trade value consumed, loan payments made, the remaining loan payoff, fuel and running costs; subtract the vehicle resale price. Payments stop when the loan term ends. A negative total is retained if the entered resale value exceeds all costs.
Worked example
A 60,000 vehicle financed for 60 months at 0%, sold after 12 payments for 45,000, costs 15,000 before running expenses: 12,000 paid plus the 48,000 remaining debt minus 45,000 sale proceeds.
Limitations
Purchase price must include any acquisition taxes or fees you want counted. Trade credit is assumed to be equity available for the new purchase; subtract an old vehicle loan separately before entering it. Rates and running costs stay constant. The loan has whole monthly payments, no prepayment fees and no balloon.