Car cost of ownership calculator
See the full monthly cost of a car, not just the instalment. The fuel price is filled in from this month's official price.
Your details
Cash cost per month
R11 374.77
R5.56 per km to run, including depreciation
- Instalment
- R6 281.86
- Running costs
- R5 092.92
- Value after
- R155 296.86
How we worked it out
- Finance instalmentR6 281.86
R315000 over 72 months at 12.75%
- FuelR3 176.25
1500 km × 7 l/100 km
- InsuranceR1 100.00
- Service and maintenanceR500.00
- TyresR250.00
- Licence and registrationR66.67
- Cash cost per monthR11 374.77
- Depreciation per month (not cash)R3 245.05
15% a year over 5 years
How it is worked out
- Instalment: standard loan formula on the amount financed, with the balloon discounted to today and repaid at the end.
- Fuel: km per month × l/100 km ÷ 100 × price per litre.
- Depreciation: the car loses the chosen percentage of its value each year; the loss is spread over the months you own it.
Interest rates, insurance and depreciation here are your own assumptions. Use your quotes for the best answer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a balloon payment?
A lump sum you still owe at the end of the finance term. It lowers your monthly instalment, but you pay interest on it for the whole term and must settle or refinance it at the end.
What is depreciation and why count it?
The value a car loses each year. You do not pay it monthly, but you feel it when you sell or trade in, so it is a real cost of owning the car.
What should I budget for a car?
A common rule of thumb is that the instalment alone should be a small share of take-home pay, with room left for fuel, insurance and maintenance. Use the full monthly cost here, not just the instalment.