Estimate a car’s value after years of depreciation.
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the Car Depreciation Calculator?
Estimate a car’s value after years of depreciation. To use the Car Depreciation Calculator, enter purchase price, first-year depreciation, later yearly depreciation, years owned; it returns value after the period, total depreciation, percent of value lost, and shows them instantly as you type.
Where the Car Depreciation Calculator fits
Estimate a car’s value after years of depreciation. The main figure it returns is the Value after the period, worked out from the values you enter.
It belongs with the other budget & planning tools. If you are comparing options or checking a result from another angle, try the Car Affordability Calculator, Car Interest Calculator or the Scrap Gold Calculator.
How to use the Car Depreciation Calculator
- Enter your numbers. Start with Purchase price ($), First-year depreciation (%), Later yearly depreciation (%), then fill in Years owned. Start with your real monthly figures, even if they are rounded. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Value after the period, and the cards below show Total depreciation, Percent of value lost. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the Car Depreciation Calculator using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Purchase price ($) | 35,000 |
|---|---|
| First-year depreciation (%) | 20 |
| Later yearly depreciation (%) | 12 |
| Years owned | 5 |
Results
| Value after the period | $16,791.47 |
|---|---|
| Total depreciation | $18,208.53 |
| Percent of value lost | 52.02% |
With these inputs the calculator returns Value after the period: $16,791.47. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What if you change one input?
Sensitivity check: raising Purchase price ($) from 35,000 to 42,000 (about 20% higher) and leaving everything else as in the example above changes the results like this:
| Result | Example | After the change | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value after the period | $16,791.47 | $20,149.76 | +20% |
| Total depreciation | $18,208.53 | $21,850.24 | +20% |
| Percent of value lost | 52.02% | 52.02% | 0% |
The input that moves the result most is the one to check twice. Change it in the calculator above to test your own case.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the Car Depreciation Calculator reports Value after the period, total depreciation and percent of value lost. Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. Results are only as good as the figures you enter; use real recent numbers. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How fast do cars lose value?
About 20% in the first year and 10% to 15% a year afterwards.
How accurate are cost-of-living indexes?
They are averages and estimates. Housing costs vary widely within a city, so use the result as a guide and check real rents and prices.
Do my numbers leave my device?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is stored on our servers.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
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