Ownership cost tool

Total Cost of Ownership Calculator South Africa

Estimate the real cost of owning a car, including finance, fuel, insurance, maintenance, tyres, licence costs and resale value.

Calculate your true car cost

Monthly finance is only one part of the cost. Use this calculator to estimate the all-in cost of owning a car over your chosen ownership period.

Vehicle and finance

Enter the purchase price and finance assumptions. Leave the interest rate at 0 if you are paying cash.

Example: 250000
Cash paid upfront.
Annual rate estimate.
How long the finance runs.
Optional final balloon as % of vehicle price.
Admin, inspection or setup costs.

Fuel and mileage

Use your expected fuel price, fuel consumption and monthly distance.

Use the current pump price you expect to pay.
Example: 7.5
Your normal monthly driving.
How long you expect to keep the car.

Running costs

Add your best monthly estimates. You can adjust these later when you get real quotes.

Comprehensive or expected cover.
Servicing and routine repairs.
Tyres, unexpected repairs and wear items.
Optional monthly estimate.
Annual licence/admin allowance.
Expected value at the end of your ownership period.

Monthly cost breakdown

This section updates when you calculate.

R0 Estimated monthly finance payment.
R0 Estimated monthly fuel cost.
R0 Other monthly running costs excluding finance and fuel.

Why total cost matters

A car can look affordable if you only focus on the monthly finance payment. The real ownership cost also includes fuel, insurance, maintenance, tyres, licence/admin costs, parking, tolls and the likely resale value when you sell.

Use this calculator early in your buying process. If the all-in monthly number feels uncomfortable, adjust the purchase price, deposit, mileage or running-cost assumptions before committing to a car.

Used Car Buyer Toolkit Seller messages, document checks, viewing checklist and red flags. Car Finance Calculator Focus specifically on deposits, terms, interest rates and balloon payments. Fuel Cost Calculator Estimate fuel costs for different vehicles and driving patterns. Sell My Car Flow Prepare the details a buyer, dealer or partner will want.

This calculator is for general information only. It is not financial, legal, insurance, tax or mechanical advice. Always confirm current finance terms, insurance quotes, licence costs, fuel costs, maintenance estimates and vehicle values before making a purchase decision.