Car Depreciation Calculator (Canada)

Estimate how your car’s value may change over time. Use a realistic first-year drop, see a chart, and view a year-by-year breakdown.

Inputs

Enter the price you want to compare (MSRP, negotiated price, or out-the-door).
How long you plan to keep the vehicle.
Used to pick a more realistic depreciation profile (new vs used).
Choosing a make auto-fills rates. You can still tweak them.
Optional. Leave off if you want to adjust rates yourself.
Two-stage usually looks more realistic for new vehicles.
Common range: 15–25%.
Common range: 10–15%.
Stops the model from going unrealistically close to $0.
Recommended. The table helps validate assumptions.
Tip: Run two scenarios — conservative (higher rates) and optimistic (lower rates). If it only works in the optimistic case, it may be too risky.

Results

Estimated value after 5 years
$—
Total depreciation
$—
Average per year
$—
Average per month
$—

Value over time

End-of-year value based on your rates. Chart loads lazily for speed.

Breakdown

YearEnd valueDepreciationTotal depreciation

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Car depreciation in Canada

Depreciation is the decline in a vehicle’s value over time. For many drivers, it’s the biggest “hidden cost” of ownership and can exceed fuel and routine maintenance. This calculator helps you estimate resale value using a simple model so you can compare scenarios before you buy, trade in, or choose between financing and leasing.

Why the first year matters

Many vehicles lose value faster in year one because they move from “new” to “used,” even with low mileage. After the first year, the decline often slows. That’s why a two-stage approach (first year + later years) usually produces a more realistic curve than using a single flat rate for every year.

How to choose your rates

A common starting point is 15–25% for the first year and 10–15% for later years. However, real depreciation depends on brand, model demand, mileage, condition, accident history, and broader market factors like inventory and interest rates. Use this tool to compare a conservative scenario (higher rates) and an optimistic scenario (lower rates). If your decision only works in the optimistic case, it may be too risky.

Depreciation vs monthly payment

A lower payment doesn’t always mean a lower total cost. Depreciation is what you “pay” in value loss. Pair this calculator with our lease and loan tools to compare full totals and avoid surprises when it’s time to sell or trade in.

FAQ

Are these results exact?
No. Results are estimates based on simplified assumptions. Real resale value varies by market and vehicle condition.
What depreciation rates should I use?
Try 15–25% for the first year and 10–15% after. Run conservative and optimistic scenarios for confidence.
Why add a minimum value floor?
It prevents the model from pushing value unrealistically close to $0 at longer horizons.