What are the main car running costs?

Fuel, insurance, road tax (VED), MOT, servicing, tyres, depreciation, and any finance payments. Total typically £3,000-£6,000/year for an average UK car.

How can I reduce running costs?

Shop around for insurance annually, drive efficiently, maintain correct tyre pressures, keep up with servicing, and consider a more economical car.

What is the average UK car running cost?

Around £300-£500 per month including all costs. This varies hugely by vehicle type, age, and annual mileage.

What are the biggest running costs for a car?

Depreciation is typically the largest cost (£2,000-5,000 per year for a new car). Then fuel (£1,200-2,500), insurance (£400-1,500), maintenance/servicing (£300-800), road tax (£0-190), and MOT (£55 plus repairs). Total costs are typically 30-60p per mile.

How much does the average UK car cost to run per year?

The average UK car costs £3,000-5,000 per year to run, excluding depreciation. Including depreciation, total cost of ownership for a typical family car is £5,000-8,000 per year. Smaller, more efficient cars can be run for under £3,000 per year.

CarCalcs

Car Running Cost Calculator

Calculate total monthly and annual running costs.

Monthly Fuel Cost

Current price of fuel

Annual Insurance

Yearly insurance premium cost

Annual Road Tax

Amount in pounds sterling

Annual MOT + Repairs

Amount in pounds sterling

Annual Servicing

Amount in pounds sterling

Annual Tyres

Amount in pounds sterling

Monthly Finance Payment

0 if paid off

How We Calculate This

Simply adds all your annual and monthly costs to give a complete running cost picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Actual figures may vary based on driving conditions, vehicle specifications, and other factors.