Free calculator

Can I afford this car?

Check the price against your savings, then add up fuel, insurance, tax, MOT and repairs to see the cost per month, per year and per mile. Your figures stay on your device.

1The car and your savings

Car price£

Savings or deposit you can use£Keep some back for the first repair.

2Fuel

Fuel type

Miles a yearNot sure? Miles a week × 52.

Miles per gallon (MPG)Left blank, we use 45 MPG as a rough guide. Real-world figures are usually lower than the brochure.

Fuel pricep per litreExample only: UK average for the week of 26 Oct 2026 (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices). Change it to what you pay.

3Yearly costs

Insurance£a yearGet a quote for this exact car first. It varies a lot.

Vehicle tax (VED)£a yearLook it up on GOV.UK vehicle tax rates.

MOT£a year£54.85 is the most a garage can charge for a car (GOV.UK). Many charge less.

Servicing and repairs set aside£a yearTyres, brakes, a service. Older cars need more.

4Your budget

What you can spend on running a car£a monthAfter rent, bills and food.

Running costs

£5 a month

Per year: £55
Per mile: Add your miles
Fuel: Add miles and price
Insurance, tax, MOT, repairs: £5 a month

Fits your budget?

Type your monthly budget in step 4 to check.

How it works

Fuel = miles ÷ MPG × 4.546 litres per gallon × price per litre. Yearly costs are added and divided by 12. It's an estimate with your own figures, not a quote. Parking and permits aren't included; the monthly running cost calculator has those.

Cheaper used carsCars for sale at the lower end of the price range.Free checks before you buyMOT history, tax, recalls and the LEZ checker.The real monthly cost of a cheap carWhat people forget to add up.

Common questions

Is anything I type saved or sent?

No. The sums are worked out on your phone or computer. Nothing you type is saved or sent to us.

Where does the example fuel price come from?

It is the UK average pump price from the GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices for the week shown next to the box. Prices change every week and vary by area, so change it to what you pay.

Does this include finance or loan costs?

No. It compares the price with your own savings and adds up running costs. It does not cover borrowing.