What does it cost to run a typical UK car?
For a roughly average car in the UK (5-year-old hatchback, 12,000 miles/year, single named driver, 30-year-old), here's what the actual annual bill looks like:
| Cost line | Typical UK annual (2026) |
|---|---|
| Depreciation (silent killer) | £1,200 – £2,500 |
| Fuel (12,000 mi/yr @ 48 mpg) | £1,600 – £2,000 |
| Insurance | £500 – £1,400 |
| Road tax (VED) | £20 – £200 |
| Servicing & MOT | £200 – £450 |
| Tyres & wear items | £100 – £400 |
| Finance interest (if applicable) | £600 – £1,800 |
| Total annual | £4,220 – £8,750 |
The wide range is real — the difference between a £4k Yaris and a £20k Range Rover is roughly that. Use the calculators below to plug in your numbers.
Free calculators
True cost of car ownership calculator
The headline number for any car. Plug in price, mileage, fuel type and insurance band — get the full 3-year ownership cost including depreciation. Free, no signup.
PCP finance calculator UK
Real monthly payment, total cost, and balloon figure for any PCP deal. Compare with HP and cash buy. The free tool UKPF redditors actually use.
UK car fuel cost calculator
Real-world MPG, fuel-type-specific costs, and your annual fuel bill for any mileage and car. Updated weekly with live UK pump prices.
What people forget to budget for
The headline running-cost figures everyone quotes miss several things. Hidden costs of buying a used car in the UK walks through them in detail: VAT on dealer cars, document fees, first MOT after purchase, first service after purchase, prep costs, finance arrangement fees, and the most expensive one — mismatched insurance assumptions.
Going deeper: finance vs cash
If you're deciding between PCP, HP, lease and cash, the right answer depends on your APR, your savings rate, and how long you'll keep the car. Used vs new car UK covers the lease-vs-buy maths in detail, with worked examples.
How depreciation eats your budget
Depreciation is the biggest single line on most cars and it's silent — you only feel it when you sell. UK used car depreciation explained shows which models hold their value best and which to avoid if you want to minimise this cost.