How This Tool Works
📋 Purpose
This tool shows the full yearly cost of running a car in the UK. It combines real API data (DVLA and UK fuel prices), benchmark tables for costs like insurance and depreciation, and clear calculations so you can compare options with confidence.
⚙️ How It Works
- 1Optional: enter your registration to load real DVLA vehicle data (fuel type, engine size, age, tax).
- 2Enter postcode and annual mileage so regional and usage adjustments are applied.
- 3The tool combines real data + benchmark cost tables (estimated) + deterministic formulas (calculated).
- 4You can override insurance, parking, and EV charging values with your own real numbers.
- 5Review annual and monthly totals, cost per mile, and EV comparison results.
Your Details
Enter your car information
Enter your UK registration number for accurate tax and vehicle details
Optional: Override Estimates
Leave blank to use -p/kWh (source: unavailable).
Ready to Calculate
Fill in your details and click "Calculate Costs" to see your personalized report
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Complete Guide
Quick Tips
Jump-start your understanding with these essential tips
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to get the most from this tool
Optional: UK registration lookup: Enter your registration plate (e.g., AB22 XYZ) and the tool pulls DVLA data: fuel type (petrol, diesel, hybrid, electric), engine size (cc), year/age of car, tax band. This auto-fills key fields, reducing manual entry. "Why register?" Ensures accuracy—your specific car's specs matter (turbocharged petrol differs from naturally-aspirated). Electronic data beats guessing.
Manual entry if registration unknown: Select fuel type (assume petrol for standard cars, diesel for older large cars, electric if you want EV comparison). Engine size: 1.2L typical small car, 1.8L+ typical SUV/sedan. This matters—larger engines cost more to fuel, to insure (road tax), and depreciate faster.
Special case - electric vehicles: EV entry skips fuel type/engine questions. Focuses on battery size (kWh), charging efficiency. This tool 'electrifies' your assumptions to show EV vs petrol/diesel directly.
Advanced Topics
Deep dives for advanced users
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