Car Running Cost Calculator
The car running cost calculator helps you find out how much owning a car really costs. Beyond fuel expenses, a car owner regularly pays for maintenance, insurance, repairs, tire changes, and other services. Use this online tool to estimate your total cost of ownership (TCO), monthly and annual costs, and the cost per kilometer driven.
How to use
- Enter your average monthly or annual mileage in kilometers.
- Specify the average fuel consumption of your car per 100 km.
- Enter the current price per liter of fuel.
- Include maintenance costs: oil, filters, brake pads, and scheduled service.
- Add insurance, parking, car wash, and other regular expenses.
- Optionally include unexpected repair costs and vehicle depreciation.
- The calculator will show total monthly and annual costs, and cost per km.
What Does Car Ownership Cost
The cost of owning a car depends on the make, model, age, condition, engine type, and how often you drive. Some costs remain fixed even if you don't drive every day — for example, insurance and depreciation don't depend directly on the number of trips.
- Fuel — petrol, diesel, or gas
- Maintenance — oil, filters, diagnostics, scheduled service
- Repairs — parts, labour, unexpected breakdowns
- Insurance — third-party liability, comprehensive cover
- Tires — purchase, seasonal change, balancing, storage
- Parking and car wash — car parks, paid parking, washes
- Depreciation — loss in market value of the vehicle
- Other costs — road taxes, toll roads, additional services
How to Calculate Fuel Costs
Fuel costs depend on mileage, average fuel consumption, and the price per liter. Formula: Fuel cost = (Mileage × Consumption per 100 km ÷ 100) × Price per liter.
Example: monthly mileage 1,000 km, consumption 8 L/100 km, fuel price UAH 60/L. Calculation: (1,000 × 8 ÷ 100) × 60 = UAH 4,800/month. Annual fuel cost at the same rate: UAH 57,600.
Example Monthly Car Cost Breakdown
A sample calculation for a petrol car with 1,000 km monthly mileage. All figures are for illustration purposes only.
- Fuel — UAH 4,800
- Maintenance — UAH 1,000
- Repairs and parts — UAH 800
- Insurance — UAH 500
- Tires and fitting — UAH 400
- Car wash and parking — UAH 700
- Depreciation — UAH 2,000
- Total — UAH 10,200/month (UAH 122,400/year, UAH 10.20/km)
What Is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) is the full cost of owning a vehicle over a given period. Unlike a simple fuel cost estimate, TCO accounts for daily running costs as well as the vehicle's loss in value.
Simplified TCO formula: TCO = Depreciation + Fuel + Maintenance + Repairs + Insurance + Other costs. If a car was bought for UAH 600,000 and is expected to sell for UAH 350,000 after five years, the projected depreciation is UAH 250,000 — around UAH 50,000 per year.
How to Calculate Cost Per Kilometer
The cost per km shows the average running cost of your vehicle. Formula: Cost per km = Total costs for a period ÷ Mileage for the same period.
For example, if annual costs are UAH 120,000 and mileage is 15,000 km: 120,000 ÷ 15,000 = UAH 8/km. This metric is useful for comparing cars and planning trips.
How to Reduce Car Running Costs
- Monitor fuel consumption — smooth acceleration, correct tyre pressure, and a well-maintained engine all help
- Don't skip scheduled maintenance — timely servicing prevents more expensive breakdowns
- Plan your trips — combining multiple errands into one route reduces unnecessary mileage
- Compare insurance options — look at coverage conditions, not just the premium
- Track your expenses — record fuel, repair, servicing, and other payments regularly
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a car per month?
It depends on mileage, fuel consumption, vehicle age and condition, insurance, and other payments. For a personal estimate, add up all regular and periodic costs and distribute them monthly.
How do I calculate annual car costs?
Add up annual expenses for fuel, maintenance, repairs, insurance, tires, parking, and other services. For the full cost of ownership, also include the vehicle's depreciation.
What affects car running costs the most?
Key factors include mileage, fuel consumption, the cost of parts, repair frequency, and depreciation. Their relative impact varies depending on the vehicle and how it's used.
Which is cheaper: petrol, diesel, or gas?
It depends on fuel price, actual consumption, mileage, engine maintenance requirements, and any installation costs for gas equipment. A full comparison needs to account for all these factors.
Should I include depreciation in my car cost estimate?
Yes, if you want to determine the full economic cost of ownership. A car typically loses part of its market value over time, even if the owner doesn't make a separate monthly payment for it.
How do I find out the cost per kilometer?
Divide your total car expenses over a period by the number of kilometers driven in the same period. For example, UAH 90,000 in costs over 10,000 km equals UAH 9/km.
Can I use the calculator before buying a car?
Yes. The calculation helps you estimate future fuel, maintenance, insurance, and other costs in advance. For a used car, it's also worth budgeting a reserve for unexpected repairs.
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