The Finance Algorithm

Total Cost of Ownership Calculator

Calculate the true total cost of owning a car including finance, fuel, insurance, and maintenance

Updated October 2026Built and checked by MaverickHow it's calculatedReport an error

Your numbers

Updates as you type
$
$40k
$
$5k
%
8%
5
5
$

What the same model sells for at the age it will be when you sell - check current listings

15,000
8

Check the car's specs

1.8
$
$2k
$
$800
$
$1k

Services, tyres, repairs

The button asks our AI to explain these figures in words.

True cost of ownership

Total cost

$52,880

net of residual value

Per year

$10,576

annualized TCO

Per km

$0.71

cost per kilometer

Residual value

$22,000

your resale estimate

Where every dollar of ownership cost goes

Interest, lost value and running costs from your inputs.

$52,880total
Interest14.3%
Depreciation34.0%
Fuel20.4%
Insurance14.2%
Rego7.6%
Servicing9.5%

What you'll spend each year

Each running cost a year, alongside the loan repayment.

$8,516Loan/yr$2,160Fuel/yr$1,500Insurance/yr$800Rego/yr$1,000Servicing/yr

How it works

A car costs much more than its price. Over the years you own it you pay loan interest, lose value as it ages, and pay for fuel, insurance, registration and servicing. This calculator adds them up from your figures - including your estimate of what the car will sell for - and shows the cost a year and per kilometre.

  1. 1Enter the vehicle price, deposit and loan details.
  2. 2Set how long you'll own the car and estimate what it will sell for then.
  3. 3Enter your yearly kilometres, the car's fuel use and the fuel price.
  4. 4Add insurance, registration and servicing from quotes and your state's fees.

The figures today

As of 7 November 2026, the lowest car loan rate from a bank or lender is 5.74%, from Westpac's Car Loan, while the typical best across 42 institutions is 6.99%. The lowest carmaker finance rate is 2.70%, from Chery Motor Finance's Chery 4.46% EV Comparison Rate Offer, while the typical best across 12 institutions is 4.99%.

Car loan rates

Worked examples

Mid-Size SUV Over 5 Years

A $45,000 SUV with a $5,000 deposit and an 8% loan over 5 years, 15,000 km a year at 9 L/100 km and $1.80 a litre. $1,500 insurance, $800 registration and $1,000 servicing a year. Expected to sell for $24,000 after 5 years.

Vehicle purchase price
$45,000
Deposit/trade-in
$5,000
Loan interest rate
8%
Loan term (years)
5
Years you'll own the car
5
Value when you sell
$24,000
Kilometres a year
15,000
Fuel consumption
9
Fuel price ($/L)
1.8
Annual insurance
$1,500
Annual registration
$800
Annual servicing/maintenance
$1,000

Over 5 years: $8,663 of interest, $21,000 of lost value, $12,150 of fuel, $7,500 of insurance, $4,000 of registration and $5,000 of servicing - $58,313 in all, about $11,663 a year or 78 cents a kilometre.

Questions people ask

What's the biggest cost of car ownership?
For a newer car it's often the value it loses, followed by fuel and interest, but it depends on the car, how far you drive and the loan. Enter your own figures to see your breakdown.
How much should I budget for car running costs?
Add up your fuel (kilometres × L/100 km × fuel price), insurance and registration quotes and the servicing schedule's costs. The calculator does this and shows the yearly total.

The terms, in plain English

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
The complete cost of buying and running a vehicle over your ownership period.
Running Costs
Ongoing expenses including fuel, insurance, registration, servicing, and repairs.
Fuel Efficiency
Measured in L/100km - how much fuel the car uses. Lower is better and cheaper.

Official sources

Car Loan Calculator

Calculate finance costs

New vs Used Calculator

Compare ownership costs

EV Loan Calculator

Compare EV running cost savings