Vehicle Ownership Cost Forecast
Build a multi-year estimate of what a vehicle may cost to own after purchase. Keep fuel, maintenance, insurance, taxes, repairs, financing, consumables and depreciation visible instead of looking only at the sticker price.
Forecast total ownership cost
Ownership cost forecast
| Year | Running cost | Cumulative running cost | Estimated remaining value |
|---|
How the forecast works
The model separates the initial purchase price from recurring ownership costs and then subtracts the estimated resale value. Annual running costs grow or shrink according to the configurable cost-growth assumption.
Net ownership cost = Purchase price + Financing interest/fees + Cumulative running costs − Ending resale value.
Financing principal is not added separately here because it is part of the purchase price; only stated interest and fees are added as financing cost. This avoids counting the same vehicle purchase twice.
Why a forecast is more useful than one annual figure
Maintenance and repair costs can change with age, while insurance, energy and taxes may also change. A multi-year model makes those assumptions visible and helps compare scenarios.
Depreciation is represented through resale value
This calculator does not separately add depreciation and then subtract resale value. Purchase price minus ending value already captures the vehicle's modeled value loss, so adding both would double-count it.
Use scenario analysis
For decisions involving a large purchase, run conservative and optimistic cases by changing fuel costs, repairs, cost growth and resale value. No forecast is a guarantee of actual spending.
FAQs
Does this include depreciation?
Yes, indirectly. The difference between purchase price and estimated ending resale value represents the modeled loss in vehicle value.
Should loan principal be included?
The purchase price is already included. Add financing interest and fees separately, not the principal again.
Can I use this for an electric vehicle?
Yes. Enter electricity charging expenditure in the annual fuel/electricity field and use the other fields for the applicable ownership costs.