The price on the windshield is only the start. This calculator estimates the full cost of owning a used car in Canada: taxes and fees, loan interest, insurance, fuel and maintenance, minus what you get back when you sell. It shows the total, the cost per month and the cost per kilometre.
Last updated: October 28, 2026
Per month: – · Per kilometre: –
Loan payment: – · Total interest: – · Fuel: – · Insurance and maintenance: –
Estimate only. Results depend entirely on the values you enter.
How the calculation works
The calculator adds sales tax to the purchase price, then adds your one-time fees. If you finance, it treats that amount minus your down payment as the loan and calculates monthly payments with the standard amortization formula; only the interest is added to the cost, because the principal is already counted in the price. It then adds insurance, fuel and maintenance for each year of ownership and subtracts the expected resale value at the end. Dividing by the number of months gives the monthly cost, and dividing by total kilometres gives the cost per kilometre.
Assumptions and limits
- Costs are in today’s dollars: the calculator does not add inflation to fuel, insurance or repair prices.
- Fuel use is the average you enter. Winter driving, short trips and idling increase real consumption in most of Canada.
- Sales tax rules differ by province and between dealer and private sales. In Ontario, for example, dealer sales carry 13% HST, while private sales are taxed when the vehicle is registered. Enter the rate that applies to you.
- Fees can include registration, a safety inspection, a vehicle history report and dealer administration fees.
- Resale value is your estimate. Mileage, condition and market demand will change it.
How to lower your total cost
- Get a pre-purchase inspection: it costs little compared with an unexpected repair.
- Compare insurance quotes before you buy; premiums vary a lot by model and by province.
- A fuel-efficient model can save hundreds of dollars per year at 18,000 km.
- Shorter loans cost less interest. Compare the total interest at 60 and 84 months.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good cost per kilometre for a used car in Canada?
It varies widely with the vehicle, your insurance and how far you drive. Use the result to compare two cars you are considering rather than as an absolute target: the one with the lower cost per kilometre is usually the better buy for your situation.
Should I include parking and tolls?
Yes, if they apply to you. Add them to the maintenance field as a yearly amount to see the full picture.
Why does a longer loan increase the total cost?
Because you pay interest for more months. The monthly payment drops, but the total interest rises.
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