Calculate the real cost of driving per mile based on depreciation and maintenance.
Include oil changes, tires, brakes, and general repairs.
Calculation Summary
Total Wear & Tear per Mile: $0.00
Annual Depreciation: $0.00
Total Annual Wear Cost: $0.00
Understanding Vehicle Wear and Tear
Wear and tear represents the gradual decline in a vehicle's value and physical condition through normal use. Unlike fuel costs, which are immediate, wear and tear expenses are often "hidden" until it is time to sell the car or perform a major repair.
The Key Components of Wear and Tear
Depreciation: This is the loss in market value over time. It is typically the largest component of vehicle ownership costs.
Maintenance: Routine services like oil changes, fluid flushes, and filter replacements.
Tire Wear: Depending on driving habits, tires typically need replacement every 40,000 to 60,000 miles.
Mechanical Repair: Components like brake pads, rotors, alternators, and belts that eventually fail due to friction and heat.
Example Calculation
Suppose you buy a car for $30,000 and expect to sell it in 5 years for $12,000. You drive 10,000 miles per year and spend $1,000 annually on maintenance and tires.
Total Depreciation: $30,000 – $12,000 = $18,000
Annual Depreciation: $18,000 / 5 = $3,600
Total Annual Wear Cost: $3,600 + $1,000 = $4,600
Wear and Tear Cost per Mile: $4,600 / 10,000 = $0.46 per mile
This calculation shows that before you even pay for gas or insurance, every mile you drive is costing you 46 cents in vehicle value and maintenance needs.
function calculateWearAndTear() {
var purchasePrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById('purchasePrice').value);
var resaleValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById('resaleValue').value);
var yearsOwned = parseFloat(document.getElementById('yearsOwned').value);
var milesPerYear = parseFloat(document.getElementById('milesPerYear').value);
var annualMaintenance = parseFloat(document.getElementById('annualMaintenance').value);
if (isNaN(purchasePrice) || isNaN(resaleValue) || isNaN(yearsOwned) || isNaN(milesPerYear) || isNaN(annualMaintenance) || yearsOwned <= 0 || milesPerYear <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid positive numbers in all fields.");
return;
}
// 1. Calculate Depreciation
var totalDepreciation = purchasePrice – resaleValue;
if (totalDepreciation < 0) totalDepreciation = 0;
var annualDepreciation = totalDepreciation / yearsOwned;
// 2. Calculate Annual Wear Cost
var totalAnnualCost = annualDepreciation + annualMaintenance;
// 3. Calculate Cost Per Mile
var costPerMile = totalAnnualCost / milesPerYear;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('resultsArea').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('costPerMile').innerHTML = '$' + costPerMile.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('annualDepreciation').innerHTML = '$' + annualDepreciation.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('totalAnnualCost').innerHTML = '$' + totalAnnualCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
// Smooth scroll to results
document.getElementById('resultsArea').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' });
}