Household money / Cars
Car Depreciation Calculator: Value Year by Year
Estimate a car's value after each year from its price, the share of value lost in the first year, and the yearly rate after that, with the total depreciation, a chart, and a table. A simple model, not a valuation.
Car Depreciation Calculator: Value Year by Year: Each year the car loses a fixed share of what it is still worth. A 30,000 car losing 20% in the first year and 15% a year after is worth 24,000 after one year and 12,528 after five, 41.8% of its price; it has lost 17,472 in total. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
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- Home & family tools
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| Year | Value at the end | Lost that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24,000.00 | 6,000.00 |
| 2 | 20,400.00 | 3,600.00 |
| 3 | 17,340.00 | 3,060.00 |
| 4 | 14,739.00 | 2,601.00 |
| 5 | 12,528.15 | 2,210.85 |
A simple model: the car loses a fixed share of its remaining value each year, usually more in the first year. Real prices depend on the make, mileage, condition, and the market, so check listings for similar cars; for tax depreciation, follow your tax authority's rules instead.
Cost of ownership
Depreciation is often the biggest cost of owning a newer car, ahead of fuel; add both to compare buying new with buying used.
Business assets
For straight-line or declining-balance depreciation of business assets, use the depreciation calculator.
How to use it
- Enter the purchase price.
- Set the first-year loss, the yearly loss after that, and the number of years.
- Read the value at the end and the yearly table.
Privacy & limitations
Everything is calculated in your browser.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Why is the first year the steepest?
A new car loses its new-car premium as soon as it is registered, so the first year typically costs more than any later one.
Which rates should I use?
Look at used listings for the same model at different ages to see how values fall; some models hold value much better than others.
Is this the same as tax depreciation?
No: tax rules set their own rates and methods; this models market value.
Free tool · runs in your browser · no account required