Depreciation is the single biggest cost of owning a car — bigger than fuel, insurance or repairs — and it’s invisible until you try to sell. This calculator estimates what your car will be worth each year for the next decade, how much value you lose per month, and how the curve changes by vehicle type and mileage.
Car Depreciation Calculator
How fast do cars really depreciate?
A typical new car loses about 20% of its value in the first year and roughly 60% by year five — on a $35,000 car, that’s $21,000 gone before you’ve paid off a 60-month loan. The curve is far from uniform: a Toyota Tacoma or Honda Civic may lose only 35–40% in five years, while a luxury sedan or many EVs lose 55–65%. After year five the curve flattens, which is why a 5–8-year-old car is the cheapest stage to own.
Three ways to lose less
- Buy at 2–4 years old and let the first owner absorb the steepest drop.
- Choose high-retention models (Toyota, Honda, Subaru, most trucks) if you plan to sell within five years.
- Keep mileage near average and maintain records — a documented service history adds real money at resale.
Read the full ranking of segments and brands in Car Depreciation Explained: Which Cars Lose Value Fastest, then see how depreciation fits into your monthly cost with the true cost of ownership calculator.