Estimate the future resale value of your vehicle based on market trends.
Low (Under 10,000 miles/year)
Average (12,000 – 15,000 miles/year)
High (Over 20,000 miles/year)
Sedan / Hatchback
SUV / Crossover
Truck / Pickup
Luxury / Premium Sedan
Electric Vehicle (EV)
Estimated Resale Value:$0.00
Total Value Lost:$0.00
Total Depreciation %:0%
Understanding Car Depreciation: Why Your Vehicle Loses Value
Car depreciation is the difference between the amount you paid for your vehicle and what it is worth when you decide to sell or trade it in. For most car owners, depreciation is the single largest expense of vehicle ownership, often exceeding fuel, insurance, or maintenance costs.
How Car Depreciation Works
The moment you drive a new car off the dealership lot, it typically loses 10% to 20% of its value. By the end of the first year, a car can lose up to 30% of its initial purchase price. This decline continues annually, though the rate usually slows down after the first three years.
Key Factors Influencing Depreciation
Mileage: The more a car is driven, the more wear and tear it sustains. High mileage significantly lowers resale value compared to the same model with lower odometer readings.
Vehicle Type: Trucks and SUVs historically hold their value better than luxury sedans or electric vehicles, which may see faster technological obsolescence.
Condition: Mechanical health and cosmetic appearance (paint, interior, odors) play a vital role in determining final value.
Brand Reputation: Brands known for reliability (like Toyota or Honda) tend to depreciate much slower than brands with higher maintenance reputations.
How to Use This Calculator
Our Car Depreciation Calculator uses industry-standard decay models to estimate your vehicle's future worth. Here is how to interpret the results:
Purchase Price: Enter the total amount paid, including taxes and fees.
Vehicle Age: Choose the number of years into the future you wish to project.
Annual Mileage: High mileage adds a "penalty" multiplier to the depreciation rate.
Vehicle Category: Different body styles have different market demand curves.
Tips to Minimize Depreciation
While you cannot stop depreciation entirely, you can slow it down. Keep detailed service records to prove the car was well-maintained. Parking in a garage protects the exterior from weather damage. Finally, choosing "safe" neutral colors like silver, white, or black can make the car easier to sell later compared to niche colors like bright green or orange.
function calculateCarDepreciation() {
var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById("purchasePrice").value);
var years = parseInt(document.getElementById("vehicleAge").value);
var mileageMultiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById("annualMileage").value);
var baseRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("vehicleType").value);
var resultBox = document.getElementById("resultBox");
var resaleValueDisplay = document.getElementById("resaleValueDisplay");
var totalLossDisplay = document.getElementById("totalLossDisplay");
var percentLossDisplay = document.getElementById("percentLossDisplay");
if (isNaN(price) || isNaN(years) || price <= 0 || years = 1) {
// Year 1 calculation
currentValue = currentValue * (1 – firstYearDrop);
// Subsequent years
for (var i = 1; i < years; i++) {
// Compound the depreciation based on type and mileage
var annualDrop = baseRate * mileageMultiplier;
currentValue = currentValue * (1 – annualDrop);
}
}
// Safety check – cars rarely drop below 10% of original value unless scrapped
if (currentValue < (price * 0.10)) {
currentValue = price * 0.10;
}
var totalLoss = price – currentValue;
var percentLoss = (totalLoss / price) * 100;
// Display results
resaleValueDisplay.innerHTML = "$" + currentValue.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
totalLossDisplay.innerHTML = "-$" + totalLoss.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
percentLossDisplay.innerHTML = percentLoss.toFixed(1) + "%";
resultBox.style.display = "block";
}