Car costs

Alltagab 5 J.

Not just fuel: a car costs €350–700/month on average. Insurance, tax, maintenance, depreciation, roadworthiness tests (TÜV) – the hidden costs nobody factors in.

The honest full-cost calculation for a car (Germany):

Example: VW Golf, 3 years old, 15,000 km/year:

• Depreciation: approx. €200/month (the biggest item! The car loses value every month)
• Petrol/diesel: approx. €120–180/month (at 7 l/100 km and €1.80/l)
• Insurance (liability + partial cover): approx. €60–100/month
• Vehicle tax: approx. €15–25/month
• Servicing, repairs, roadworthiness test (TÜV): approx. €50–80/month
• Tyres: approx. €20/month
• Parking: €0–100/month (city!)
• Total: €465–705/month = €5,580–8,460/year

Most people only count petrol (€120) and think their car "only" costs €120/month. In reality: 3–5 times as much.

The alternative: €500/month into an ETF savings plan instead of the car: after 20 years = €260,000. After 20 years the car is worthless.

Did you know? Germany's automobile club ADAC calculates the full costs of all common car models. A small car costs at least €300/month, an SUV easily €800–1,200/month – everything included.

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