Car running costs are the ongoing costs of owning and using a car in the UK. They include more than fuel or electricity costs. Depreciation, maintenance, vehicle excise duty, servicing, repairs and mileage can all affect the total cost of ownership.
DriveSmart provides data-led car running cost tools to help compare these costs using forecast values from our running costs database.
Use this page as a starting point for the main DriveSmart car running cost tools, including our car running costs calculator, mileage comparison tables, average running costs guides and cost-per-mile explanations.
UK Car Running Cost Tools
Choose the tool that best matches the type of calculation or comparison you want to make.
Car Running Costs Calculator
Use the car running costs calculator to calculate forecast running costs for a specific car. You can select a term and annual mileage, then view depreciation, maintenance, fuel or electricity costs and pence per mile.
Car Running Costs By Mileage
Use car running costs by mileage to compare cars at common annual mileage levels, including 5,000, 10,000, 12,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000 and 30,000 miles.
Car Cost Per Mile
Our car cost per mile page explains how pence-per-mile costs are calculated and why they can change depending on mileage, depreciation and fuel or electricity costs.
Average Car Running Costs
The average car running costs page explains the main types of car ownership costs and how they contribute to the total cost of running a car.
What Costs Are Included?
UK car running costs are usually made up of both fixed ownership costs and variable mileage-related costs.
Car running costs can include:
- Depreciation — the forecast reduction in vehicle value over time and mileage.
- Maintenance — servicing, maintenance and repair costs.
- Fuel or electricity — petrol, diesel or charging costs based on vehicle type and mileage.
- Vehicle excise duty — road tax costs where applicable.
- Total cost — combined ownership and running costs over the selected term.
- Pence per mile — the total cost divided by the mileage covered.
Why Mileage Matters
Mileage affects running costs because some costs increase as the car is driven further. Fuel or electricity costs are directly linked to distance travelled. Maintenance and depreciation can also change at different mileage levels.
Comparing cars at different mileages can help show how the same car may have different total costs and pence-per-mile figures depending on how it is used.
Example Car Running Costs By Mileage
The examples below show selected cars from the DriveSmart running costs database at different annual mileage levels. They are not averages or recommendations, but show how costs can vary by vehicle, fuel type, mileage and term.
| 5,000 |
ABARTH 500 Electric Cabrio 114kW 42.2kWh 2dr Auto |
Electric |
£30,995.00 |
£12,800.00 |
£18,195.00 |
£1,755.00 |
£1,001.00 |
£21,361.00 |
142.40 |
£751.00 |
| 10,000 |
BMW X3 Estate xDrive20 xLine 5dr Step Auto |
Petrol |
£53,305.00 |
£21,350.00 |
£31,955.00 |
£8,238.00 |
£10,530.00 |
£53,323.00 |
88.90 |
£3,338.00 |
| 20,000 |
AUDI A3 Diesel Saloon 2.0 TDI 150 Black Edition 4dr S Tronic |
Diesel |
£40,230.00 |
£16,600.00 |
£23,630.00 |
£8,505.00 |
£9,349.00 |
£43,234.00 |
72.10 |
£2,565.00 |
The examples use different vehicle types and fuel types to demonstrate how running costs can vary across the market.
Why Depreciation Is Important
Depreciation is often one of the largest costs of running a car. It represents the difference between the car's price and its forecast residual value after a selected term and mileage.
A car with low fuel costs may not always have the lowest total running cost if depreciation is high. That is why DriveSmart includes depreciation alongside fuel, electricity and maintenance costs.
Electric, Petrol, Diesel And Hybrid Cars
Different fuel types can have different running cost patterns. Electric cars may have lower energy costs per mile, while petrol, diesel and hybrid cars depend on fuel consumption and pump prices.
The total cost still depends on the full calculation, including depreciation, maintenance, vehicle price, mileage and term.
Using DriveSmart Running Cost Data
DriveSmart running cost pages are designed to present factual vehicle cost data. The figures are intended to help users compare costs, understand the effect of mileage and complete their own assessment of running costs.
Some data may be unavailable for certain cars at specific mileage and term combinations. The running costs database is updated regularly, but it may not contain every car at every mileage and term combination.
You can complete your own assessment by using the car running costs calculator and entering your own assumptions for depreciation, maintenance, fuel or electricity costs and other factors.
Related Car Running Cost Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What are car running costs?
Car running costs are the costs of owning and using a car. They can include depreciation, maintenance, vehicle excise duty, fuel or electricity costs, total ownership costs and pence per mile.
What is usually included in car running cost calculations?
DriveSmart running cost calculations include forecast depreciation, maintenance, fuel or electricity costs, vehicle excise duty, total cost and pence per mile where data is available.
Why does mileage affect car running costs?
Mileage affects running costs because fuel or electricity costs increase with distance. Maintenance and depreciation can also change at different mileage levels.
Why is depreciation included in running costs?
Depreciation is included because it can be one of the largest costs of owning a car. It measures the difference between the car's price and its forecast residual value after a selected term and mileage.
Are electric cars cheaper to run?
Electric cars may have lower energy costs per mile than petrol or diesel cars, but the total running cost also depends on depreciation, maintenance, vehicle price, mileage and term.
How can I compare car running costs?
You can use the DriveSmart car running costs calculator for a specific car, or use the car running costs by mileage page to compare cars at common annual mileage and term combinations.
Which DriveSmart tools can help compare car running costs?
DriveSmart provides several car running cost tools, including the
car running costs calculator,
car running costs by mileage,
car cost per mile
and
average car running costs
guides.