What Car? Q&A - How do you get a car's cost-per-mile?

Q: I am trying to compare the overall ownership costs of four different cars. In your buyers’ guide, you quote a cost-per-mile figure for each vehicle. Could you tell me what assumptions you make in calculating this figure? For example, how many miles do you assume the car will cover in three years?
John Graham

A: Our figures are based on the assumption that the car is bought new - at list price – and then sold three years later with 36,000 miles on the clock.

So, it takes into account depreciation, vehicle tax, maintenance bills and fuel. The only thing not considered is insurance.

The cost-per-mile figures are meant as a guide, so the amount you end up paying may be quite different – especially if you manage to negotiate a discount when you buy the car, or cover significantly more or less than 12,000 miles a year.

Nonetheless, the figures should allow you to find out which cars will cost you the least to run.