When it comes to buying a car many people only look at one thing - the price.
Obviously it's an important factor but equally as important are the running costs, especially if you intend to keep the car for more than a few years. You might just be surprised by what you could actually afford to buy simply by taking into account the difference in costs.
To demonstrate how much more certain cars can cost you to own, we've taken into account depreciation and expenses like servicing, fuel and road tax.
The figures are based on three year's ownership and a total of 30,000 miles.
- Hatchback: Ford Focus vs. Volkswagen Golf
The Focus and Golf are equally competent cars and with both diesel versions averaging 62mpg they make an ideal choice for drivers who have to endure a long commute.
The Golf, however, is £201 less to buy than the Focus, and you'd potentially save £2,186 in running costs during your ownership - not bad, considering you'd be driving what's viewed as a premium German hatchback.
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| Cost new: | £18,631 | £18,430 |
| Depreciation: | £12,531 | £10,860 |
| Showroom tax/Registration: | £55 | £55 |
| Servicing: | £1,130 | £554 |
| Road tax: | £60 | £60 |
| Fuel: | £2,842 | £2,903 |
| Total costs: | £16,618 | £14,432 |
- Saloon: Vauxhall Insignia vs. BMW 3-Series
You might think that it'd be unfair to compare an expensive BMW to a cheaper Vauxhall - but you might be suprised in how little extra you'd pay over the years to be driving one of the best four-door saloons on the market.
The Insignia starts out £2,675 cheaper than the BMW, but you'd save £1,527 in running costs with the BMW - so effectively you'd be paying an extra £1,148 to drive the 3-Series.
It's worth considering that the longer you owned the BMW, however, the more money you'd potentially stand to save - because besides cheaper running costs the BMW will be much better at holding its value, in the long term, than the Insignia.
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| Cost new: | £24,005 | £26,680 |
| Depreciation: | £17,380 | £16,455 |
| Showroom tax/Registration: | £165 | £55 |
| Servicing: | £1,265 | £1,262 |
| Road tax: | £220 | £60 |
| Fuel: | £3,234 | £2,905 |
| Total costs: | £22,264 | £20,737 |
- People carrier: Renault Scenic vs. Peugeot 3008
While both the Peugeot and Renault are four-star cars, the crossover 3008 is the more desirable and sought-after car, resulting in lower depreciation. This demand also means it'd be easier to sell later on.
The 3008 is £455 cheaper to buy than the Scenic, but you'd also stand to save a meaningful £2,319 in running costs over three years. Vive le difference!
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| Cost new: | £18,750 | £18,295 |
| Depreciation: | £12,900 | £10,675 |
| Showroom tax/Registration: | £305 | £210 |
| Servicing: | £944 | £1,150 |
| Road tax: | £360 | £310 |
| Fuel: | £4,542 | £4,387 |
| Total costs: | £19,051 | £16,732 |
- Off-roader: Range Rover vs. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
If you're looking to make a statement then both the Range Rover and GL-Class Mercedes have an equally premium image and commanding presence, along with a specification sheet that's as long as your arm.
Despite the desirability of the Range Rover, smart buyers should look towards the three-pointed star. This is because the Mercedes, besides being a considerable £7,710 less to buy, would also cost you £4,903 less to run - meaning a total potential saving of £12,613.
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| Cost new: | £68,945 | £61,235 |
| Depreciation: | £40,695 | £34,860 |
| Showroom tax/Registration: | £805 | £1,005 |
| Servicing: | £2,456 | £3,074 |
| Road tax: | £850 | £870 |
| Fuel: | £6,072 | £6,166 |
| Total costs: | £50,878 | £45,975 |
- Performance cars: Mitsubishi Evo X vs. Audi A4 S4
You might think that this is an odd comparison but both cars are different takes on the same concept, with them both being fast four-wheel-drive saloons - although obviously the Evo is more of a driver's car.
Despite the premium Audi badge, the A4's not only £514 cheaper to buy, but a staggering £5,550 cheaper to run over the three-year period. It also holds its value marginally better, meaning that if you did come to sell it on, or trade it in, you'd recoup a little more of your money.
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| Cost new: | £37,804 | £37,290 |
| Depreciation: | £22,229 | £20,590 |
| Showroom tax/Registration: | £1,005 | £805 |
| Servicing: | £2,975 | £1,832 |
| Road tax: | £870 | £850 |
| Fuel: | £8,775 | £6,227 |
| Total costs: | £35,854 | £30,304 |
Note: The Parkers Cost of Motoring tool is updated constantly so the figures may change according to market conditions.
Parker's Top Tip
You can compare both new and used car running costs by using our formats above. If you're maybe thinking about changing your car then find out what it's worth by getting a Used Car Valuation, and you can research the replacement cars that might interest you in our New Car Reviews section.