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Car Running Cost Calculator

Estimate your car's monthly and annual running costs based on mileage, fuel economy, fuel price, insurance, tax, maintenance and parking.

Your Details

Overview

A car running cost calculator helps you estimate what it may cost to keep a car on the road over a month or a year. Enter your annual mileage, fuel economy, fuel price and regular ownership costs such as insurance, tax, maintenance, parking and tolls to build a simple budget estimate.

How it works

The calculator first estimates how much fuel you use in a year by dividing annual mileage by fuel economy and converting gallons to litres. It then multiplies that fuel use by your fuel price per litre to estimate annual fuel spend. Finally, it adds fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance, parking and tolls to give a yearly total, then converts that into a monthly average and a cost-per-mile figure.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter your expected annual mileage.
  2. 2Add your car's average fuel economy in mpg.
  3. 3Enter the current fuel price per litre.
  4. 4Fill in your yearly insurance, tax and maintenance costs.
  5. 5Add your average monthly parking and toll costs.
  6. 6Review the estimated monthly cost, annual cost, fuel cost and cost per mile.

Example Calculation

Annual mileage

12000

Fuel economy

40

Fuel price

$2

Annual insurance

$800

Annual tax

$180

Annual maintenance

$600

Monthly parking and tolls

$100

Estimated monthly running cost

$402

For a car driven 12,000 miles per year at 40 mpg with fuel at 1.50 per litre, the estimated running cost is about 274 per month or 3,286 per year, including roughly 2,102 in fuel costs.

Frequently asked questions

What does this car running cost calculator estimate?

It estimates the monthly and annual cost of running a car using fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance, parking and toll costs.

Does this calculator include car finance or depreciation?

No. It focuses on day-to-day and annual running costs, not the purchase price, finance payments or loss in vehicle value.

Why is fuel economy important?

Fuel economy has a big effect on yearly fuel spend. Lower mpg usually means higher fuel costs for the same mileage.

Is the fuel economy input in mpg or litres per 100 km?

This version uses miles per gallon and converts that to annual litres used for the fuel cost estimate.

What costs should I include in maintenance?

You can include servicing, tyres, MOT or inspection fees, routine repairs and similar upkeep costs.

Can I use this calculator to compare two cars?

Yes. Enter the figures for each car separately to compare monthly cost, annual cost and cost per mile.

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Assumptions and warnings

Assumptions

  • Fuel economy is entered in imperial mpg and remains consistent throughout the year.
  • Fuel price, insurance, tax, maintenance, parking and toll costs stay broadly similar over the period.
  • The calculator estimates running costs only and does not include finance payments, depreciation or one-off purchase costs.
  • Results are general estimates and actual costs will vary with driving style, traffic, location and vehicle condition.

Warnings

  • This calculator provides an estimate only and is not financial advice.
  • Actual car running costs can vary significantly based on fuel prices, repairs, usage and local charges.