Vehicle Cost Comparison
Compare the true 5-year ownership cost of any two cars side by side — depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, tyres, licensing and finance. Pick from 42 verified SA models or enter your own.
Ownership settings
Data: Manufacturer spec sheets · DMRE fuel price announcement · See methodology
What goes into the 5-year cost?
The monthly instalment on a car loan is just the start. A full 5-year ownership picture includes depreciation — the single biggest cost for most buyers — plus fuel or electricity, comprehensive insurance, scheduled servicing (under the manufacturer's service plan) and out-of-plan repairs, tyres, annual licensing renewal, and finance interest if the car is bonded. Adding these up reveals the true cost per kilometre, which is the fairest apples-to-apples metric across different car types and price points.
Depreciation is driven by segment: bakkies (Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger) hold value best in SA — typically retaining 52–58% of their value after 5 years. Premium German sedans (BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class) depreciate the hardest, often retaining only 34–40%. Entry hatchbacks (Polo Vivo, Suzuki Swift) sit in the middle. EVs currently depreciate faster than equivalent petrol cars in SA because battery-age uncertainty and the fast pace of new-model releases create buyer hesitancy in the used market.
Frequently asked questions
What does the comparison include?
The 5-year total cost of ownership (TCO) covers: depreciation (book-value drop over the period), annual fuel or electricity cost, comprehensive insurance, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, tyres, motor vehicle licensing, and — if you toggle it on — the interest cost of vehicle finance. Depreciation is typically the biggest line item at 40–55% of total cost.
Why do the costs look higher than just fuel and insurance?
Most car buyers focus on the monthly instalment and petrol costs and underestimate how much depreciation contributes. A R600,000 SUV that's worth R278,000 after 5 years has lost R322,000 in value — roughly R64,000 per year, or R5,350 per month before you've bought a single litre of petrol. The comparison surfaces these hidden costs so you can make a better decision.
How accurate are the estimates?
Expect ±10–15% against your actual costs. The biggest variable is depreciation — TransUnion SA data shows 5-year residuals cluster tightly within each segment (bakkies hold value best; German luxury sedans depreciate hardest). Insurance and fuel are more variable and depend on your personal profile. The TCO category you pick (entry hatch, compact, bakkie, etc.) drives all the benchmarks — make sure it matches the type of vehicle you're comparing.
Can I compare a petrol car to an electric vehicle?
Yes — pick an EV from the catalogue (BYD Atto 3, VW ID.4, Volvo XC40 Recharge, BMW i4) or enter a custom EV with kWh/100km, then compare against any petrol or diesel model. EVs typically have lower running costs (electricity is cheaper per km than petrol at SA rates) but higher purchase prices and faster depreciation currently — the tool quantifies all of this.
Methodology: Depreciation curves from TransUnion SA Auto Pricing Index 5-year residual averages and AutoTrader SA dealer pricing. Insurance midpoints from Hippo/Naked/Discovery Insure indicative quotes (35-year-old, suburban Gauteng, comprehensive, 5% excess, garaged). Maintenance from AA SA guidance and RMI post-plan benchmarks. Tyres from Tiger Wheel & Tyre and SuperTyre OEM-equivalent pricing (May 2026). Licensing: 2026 Gauteng motor vehicle licence schedule. Fuel: R25.58/L inland 95 ULP (August 2026 DMPR). This is a planning estimator — not financial or insurance advice. Actual costs vary by driver profile, location, and individual vehicle condition.
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