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Car Depreciation Calculator

Excellent (Like New) Good (Minor Wear) Fair (Visible Wear/High Mileage) Poor (Needs Mechanical/Body Work)

Estimated Valuation

Current Market Value: $0.00
Total Depreciation: $0.00
Percentage Lost: 0%
function calculateDepreciation() { var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('purchasePrice').value); var age = parseFloat(document.getElementById('carAge').value); var mileage = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mileage').value); var condition = document.getElementById('carCondition').value; var resultArea = document.getElementById('resultArea'); if (isNaN(price) || isNaN(age) || isNaN(mileage) || price 0) { estimatedValue -= (mileageDifference * 0.12); } else { estimatedValue += (Math.abs(mileageDifference) * 0.05); } // Floor the value at 10% of original price (Scrap/Base value) if (estimatedValue < (price * 0.10)) { estimatedValue = price * 0.10; } var totalLoss = price – estimatedValue; var percentLoss = (totalLoss / price) * 100; document.getElementById('currentValDisplay').innerText = '$' + estimatedValue.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('totalLossDisplay').innerText = '$' + totalLoss.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('percentLossDisplay').innerText = percentLoss.toFixed(1) + '%'; resultArea.style.display = 'block'; }

Understanding Car Depreciation: How Much Is Your Car Actually Worth?

Car depreciation is the difference between the amount you spent when you bought your vehicle and the amount you can get for it when you sell or trade it in. It is the single largest expense of owning a new vehicle, often exceeding fuel, insurance, or maintenance costs.

Key Factors That Influence Depreciation

  • Age: Generally, a new car loses about 20% of its value in the first year and roughly 15% each year thereafter.
  • Mileage: The more miles on the odometer, the lower the car's value. High mileage often signals that expensive repairs and part replacements are imminent.
  • Condition: A well-maintained vehicle with a clean service history, no dents, and a pristine interior will always command a higher price.
  • Fuel Economy: As gas prices fluctuate, fuel-efficient vehicles tend to hold their value better than "gas guzzlers."
  • Brand Reputation: Certain brands (like Toyota and Honda) historically depreciate slower than luxury brands or brands with poor reliability ratings.

How to Use the Car Depreciation Calculator

This calculator uses a standard mathematical model to estimate your car's current market value. Here is how to interpret the results:

  1. Original Purchase Price: Enter the total amount paid (including taxes and fees).
  2. Age: The number of years you have owned the car.
  3. Mileage: Current odometer reading. The tool compares this against the national average of 12,000 miles per year.
  4. Condition: Be honest! Most cars on the road fall into the "Good" or "Fair" categories. "Excellent" is reserved for vehicles that look and drive like they just left the showroom.

Tips to Minimize Your Vehicle's Depreciation

While you cannot stop depreciation entirely, you can slow it down. Maintain a comprehensive service log to prove the car was cared for. Keep the mileage low by using public transit or carpooling when possible. Finally, choose popular colors like silver, black, or white, as "unique" colors often have lower resale appeal.

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