5-Year True Cost of Ownership Calculator
Estimate one car or compare up to three using the same five-year period and annual mileage. See ownership cost alongside loan payments and cash paid. Save a fillable PDF to check each car’s actual price, insurance and fees; unknown costs stay visible.
Start with your buying budget
Use a written vehicle price and your own insurance quote where possible. Starting figures below are examples.
5-Year Modeled Ownership Cost
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Enter your inputs to estimate the 5-year cost.
Cost breakdown
All figures are 5-year totals (estimates).
Show year-by-year breakdown
| Year | Depreciation | Interest | Fuel | Insurance | Maintenance | Fees & Tax |
|---|
These are scenarios based on your inputs, including the editable depreciation percentages and flat annual running costs. Actual costs vary by make, model, condition, location, driving behaviour, and market conditions. Use this tool for directional comparison only. Verify insurance with quotes and registration fees with your state DMV.
Compare up to 3 vehicles
Compare two or three illustrative vehicles using the same annual miles, down payment, APR, loan term, fee and depreciation assumptions above. Change each vehicle's sample price and running costs to your own figures.
Vehicle A
Vehicle B
Vehicle C
Residual estimates use the depreciation percentages you enter, not KBB or dealer-proprietary values. Insurance and maintenance figures are sample budgets; replace them with your own quotes and expected costs.
This calculator provides estimates only. Actual ownership costs vary by driving habits, vehicle condition, local rates, and market conditions. Figures are general information — not financial, legal, or tax advice. Confirm with your insurer, lender, or a qualified advisor before you buy.
Why the sticker price isn't the cost
Two cars with the same purchase price can have different fuel bills, insurance premiums and resale values. This model adds depreciation, loan interest and the running costs you enter over five years. It counts value lost through depreciation, so it does not also add the purchase price or loan principal to the ownership total. Loan payments are shown separately for cash-flow planning.
For a separate check of model-level safety records, check the VIN at VinSleuth — it uses a VIN to identify the model and look up NHTSA recall campaigns and consumer complaints. It does not establish accident history or whether a specific car still has an unrepaired recall.
Tires are a recurring ownership cost most buyers underestimate. Before you replace a set, check fitment and sizing at TreadSize — free tire-size and plus-sizing math.
Check the inputs before buying
The loan model assumes fixed monthly payments and uses the entered APR as the annual interest rate, without lender fees. CFPB explains how payments split between principal and interest. Your lender's payment schedule may differ.
Check registration and title charges with your DMV and vehicle property taxes with the relevant local tax office. For example, Virginia DMV lists taxes and fees, while local property-tax obligations require a separate check. This calculator does not apply a verified tax schedule for any state.
How to use this calculator
- 1 Enter the purchase price, down payment, and loan terms.
- 2 Choose your fuel type (gas, hybrid, or EV) and expected annual mileage.
- 3 Enter insurance, maintenance and local tax/fee estimates. State selection is a location label; it does not fill in tax rules. Leave unknown fees blank, or enter 0 if they do not apply.
- 4 Review the depreciation curve and estimated resale value, then calculate one car or compare up to three. Choose Letter or A4, then save a worksheet with your inputs and blank quote/source/date fields. Add the annual appendix if needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is true cost of ownership (TCO)?
This calculator models five years of depreciation, loan interest, fuel or charging, insurance, maintenance and the taxes/fees you enter. Depreciation measures purchase price minus estimated resale value; loan principal is not added again. This is an economic cost estimate, not a schedule of every cash payment.
What happens if I don't know the local taxes?
Leave that fee blank. The result shows a modeled subtotal and lists the missing costs; blank never means tax-free. Enter a confirmed zero when a fee does not apply. Sales tax uses the entered percentage of purchase price, and annual registration and property tax use the fixed dollar amounts you enter. The same fee assumptions apply to all cars in a comparison; confirm each vehicle's actual charges before deciding.
Is the calculator accurate?
It is a scenario estimate, not a quote or a vehicle valuation. The editable example curve loses 20% of remaining value in year one and 15% in each later year. Insurance and maintenance are your budgets; complaint counts do not determine them. The model excludes parking, tolls, accident repairs, inflation, financing fees and tax credits. Check the assumptions in the result and PDF, and replace samples with quotes and local fee information.
Does the tool collect my data?
Calculations run in your browser. A comparison summary may be saved on this device. A share link contains the calculator inputs and can be read by anyone you give it to. Optional email forms send your address and request details to CarOutlay. Hosting and basic analytics process page requests; see our privacy policy for details.
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