📉 Vehicle Depreciation Calculator

📘 Understanding Vehicle Depreciation

Depreciation is the loss in value of a vehicle over time. Most cars lose 20-30% in the first year and about 15-20% annually for the next 4 years. After 5 years, a typical car retains only 35-45% of its original value.

📌 How to Use This Calculator

1️⃣ Enter your vehicle's initial purchase price.
2️⃣ Set current age (0 for new car) and how many years you want to project.
3️⃣ Choose a depreciation method or enter a custom annual rate.
4️⃣ See projected values, total loss, and interactive chart.
💡 Methods: Standard (20% then 15%) reflects typical US cars. Mild suits luxury brands. Aggressive applies to high-mileage or EVs. Linear is simple straight-line.

💰 Factors That Affect Depreciation

• Brand & Model — Toyota, Honda, Porsche hold value better.
• Mileage — 12,000-15,000 miles/year is average; higher miles = faster depreciation.
• Condition — Accidents, poor maintenance, interior wear reduce value.
• Fuel type — Hybrids and EVs are depreciating faster recently due to price cuts.
• Market demand — SUVs and trucks hold value better than sedans.
• Number of owners — Fewer owners = higher resale value.

✅ Tips to Minimize Depreciation

• Choose cars with high resale value (check industry guides).
• Keep mileage within average limits.
• Maintain full service history and avoid modifications.
• Keep the car clean and fix minor issues promptly.
• Sell privately rather than trade-in for better price.