Car Depreciation Calculator
Estimate current used car value and future depreciation from purchase price, vehicle age, mileage, ownership period, condition, and accident history.
Results are planning estimates. Actual trade-in and resale prices can vary by make, trim, options, color, service history, local demand, season, and dealer policy.
Depreciation Analysis
Current Estimated Value
$20,300.43
A planning estimate for the vehicle's value if you were comparing sale or trade-in options today.
Estimated Future Value
$13,834.18
Estimated retained value after the additional ownership period and future mileage.
Monthly Depreciation
$179.62
The expected future value drop divided into a monthly ownership budget.
Depreciation to Date
$11,699.57
Future Depreciation
$6,466.26
Total Depreciation
$18,165.82
Current Retained Value
63.4%
Future Retained Value
43.2%
Depreciation per mi
$0.18
Adjustment Summary
Valuation Note
First-year depreciation models the initial value drop after purchase, while later annual depreciation reflects age-related value loss. Lower mileage can increase estimated value, higher mileage can reduce it, and accident history or poor condition can heavily affect real offers.
Usage Tips
Compare your car value today with the resale value after ownership
Enter purchase price, vehicle age, mileage, planned ownership period, yearly mileage, condition, and accident history to estimate current used car value, future resale value, and monthly depreciation cost. Use it when comparing buy, sell, trade-in, or keep decisions.
What is Car Depreciation Calculator?
The Car Depreciation Calculator estimates how much value a new or used vehicle may lose over time. By entering purchase price, current vehicle age, mileage, reference annual mileage, planned ownership period, first-year depreciation rate, later annual depreciation rate, condition, accident history, and market adjustment, it estimates current used car value, future resale value, total depreciation, monthly depreciation cost, and retained value percentage. It is useful for comparing total ownership cost, planning a future sale, or preparing for trade-in negotiations.
How to Use
- 1Enter the vehicle purchase price and current age. Use the actual transaction price when possible, whether the car was bought new or used.
- 2Enter current odometer reading and reference annual mileage. A vehicle driven more than the reference mileage is adjusted downward, while lower mileage can support a higher estimate.
- 3Enter your planned additional ownership period and expected yearly mileage to estimate future resale value and depreciation from today.
- 4Adjust first-year depreciation and later annual depreciation rates. New cars often lose more value in the first year, then depreciate at a steadier annual rate.
- 5Select vehicle condition, accident history, and optional market adjustment. Better condition or strong local demand can raise value, while accident history or poor condition can reduce it.
- 6Review current estimated value, future value, monthly depreciation, retained value, and depreciation per distance unit, then compare the result with loan and maintenance cost estimates.
Separating depreciation by age, mileage, and condition
Last reviewed: July 11, 2026Depreciation estimate formula
Base value = purchase price × (1 - first-year rate) × (1 - later annual rate)^(age-1)
The model adds mileage, condition, accident, and market adjustments to a time-based base value. The rates and adjustments are user assumptions, not a live used-car price feed.
Keeping a two-year-old car for three more years
- • KRW 30,000,000 purchase price, age 2 years, 30,000 km
- • 15,000 expected km per year and three planned ownership years
- • 20% first-year rate, 12% later rate, good condition, no accident
- 1. Current base value = 30,000,000 × 0.80 × 0.88 ≈ KRW 21,120,000
- 2. Estimated value after five years ≈ KRW 14,392,689
- 3. Future depreciation ≈ KRW 6,727,311 → about KRW 186,870 per month
Estimated current value is about KRW 21,120,000, future value about KRW 14,392,689, and total depreciation from purchase about KRW 15,607,311.
How to read the result
- First-year and later annual rates are model assumptions for planning, not a live market-price table.
- Accident, condition, and market adjustments are separate from time depreciation, so cars with the same age and mileage can still differ.
Conditions that change the result
- Mileage adjustment uses the difference between expected and actual odometer mileage and cannot know local demand or dealer inventory.
- Current and future values are not guaranteed dealer purchase, private-sale, or trade-in offers.
Common input mistakes
- Do not add current age and planned ownership years twice; the calculator already derives future age.
- Do not duplicate the same loss through both accident adjustment and a market adjustment unless they represent separate assumptions.
Reference Knowledge
- ●The base model applies first-year depreciation first, then compounds the later annual depreciation rate on the remaining value. This creates a curve where value loss slows over time rather than falling in a straight line.
- ●Mileage adjustment compares actual mileage with expected mileage for the vehicle age. Higher-than-reference mileage lowers the estimate, while lower mileage can increase it within a capped range.
- ●Retained value percentage = estimated value ÷ purchase price × 100. A higher retained value means more of the original purchase price remains.
- ●Monthly depreciation cost equals the difference between current estimated value and future estimated value divided by ownership months. It is not a cash payment, but it represents a hidden ownership cost.
- ●Real resale prices can vary by make, model, trim, options, color, warranty, service history, accident history, flood history, local demand, seasonality, and dealer policy.
FAQ
Q.Is this the same as a used car market price lookup?
No. A market price lookup uses live listings or transaction data. This calculator uses purchase price, depreciation rates, mileage, condition, and accident assumptions to produce a planning estimate. Check real listings and dealer quotes before selling or trading in.
Q.What first-year depreciation rate should I use?
It depends on the vehicle and market. Many new cars are tested around 15% to 25% for the first year. Popular models, scarce trims, or vehicles with strong demand may depreciate less, while unpopular models can depreciate more.
Q.How much does mileage affect depreciation?
Mileage is a major factor in used car value. Compared with another vehicle of the same age, higher mileage can imply more wear on powertrain, suspension, and consumables, while lower mileage may support a stronger resale value.
Q.Why does accident history need a separate input?
Accident history can affect value beyond normal age-related depreciation. A minor cosmetic repair and structural damage are viewed very differently in the used car market, so repair records and inspection details should be checked before a real transaction.
Q.Can I use this as my final trade-in price?
No. Trade-in offers depend on dealer resale strategy, inventory, reconditioning cost, demand, and promotions. Use this result as a reference range for budgeting and negotiation, not as a guaranteed offer.
