The Finance Algorithm
§ Tool · tier 1 · independent

Car Depreciation Calculator.

Estimate how much your car will be worth over time

CalculatorFree, no signupOn-deviceupd May 2026
Inputs
Your numbers
$
$45k

Vehicle class drives the depreciation rate

New cars drop sharply in year 1 — used cars smooth out

15,000
5

Math updates live as you change inputs · AI runs on submit

Awaiting inputs

Move the sliders or type in the form on the left — the math updates live as you go. Click Get AI verdict when you want a written analysis.

Cars lose value over time - it's the biggest hidden cost of car ownership. This calculator estimates your car's future value based on typical depreciation patterns for different vehicle types.

§ Worked examples

Real-world scenarios

New SUV Depreciation

$50,000 new SUV projecting 5 years at 15,000km/year.

Inputs

price:50,000type:SUVyears:5

Year 1: $42,500 (-15%). Year 3: $32,500 (-35%). Year 5: $25,000 (-50%). Total depreciation: $25,000 over 5 years.

Used Car Value Retention

$30,000 for a 3-year-old medium car, projecting 3 more years.

Inputs

price:30,000type:Medium Carage:3years:3

Year 1: $27,000 (-10%). Year 3: $22,500 (-25%). Much slower depreciation as the steep early drop already occurred.

§ FAQ

Questions Australians ask

§ Glossary

Plain-English definitions

Depreciation
The loss in value of a car over time due to age, wear, and market factors.
Residual Value
The estimated value of a car at a future point in time.
Straight-Line Depreciation
A simplified model where value decreases by equal amounts each year.