Car Depreciation Calculator — What Will My Car Be Worth?

A new car starts losing value the moment you drive it off the lot. Enter the price, a yearly depreciation rate, and how many years out you want to look — you’ll see the value remaining, the total lost, and a year-by-year table.

How this calculator works

We apply the rate as compounding decline: each year the car keeps (1 − rate) of the prior year’s value, so value = price × (1 − rate)^years. That mirrors how cars actually depreciate — a big drop early, then a gentler slope. The table shows the value and cumulative loss for each year.

What changes the number

The steepest drop is year one — often 20% or more — then it flattens. Buying a 1–2 year old car skips that first hit.
High mileage, accidents, and a worn interior accelerate depreciation beyond the baseline rate.
Desirable brands, trucks, and limited-supply models hold value better; redesigned-soon models drop faster.

Frequently asked questions

What’s a typical depreciation rate?

Many cars average around 15% a year, landing near 40–50% lost after five years. But year one is usually much steeper than later years — this calculator’s compounding curve reflects that.

How do I slow depreciation?

Keep mileage moderate, maintain it with records, avoid accidents, and choose a color and trim that resell easily. Buying used lets the first owner absorb the worst of it.

Do EVs depreciate faster?

Historically many did, due to battery and tech concerns and shifting incentives, though popular models have improved. Check recent resale data for the specific vehicle.