Calculate the costs of running your Motability car

When you're looking for a new car there are lots of things to think about. While most customers consider the advance payment of our cars when working out their budget, many forget to factor in the running costs.

To help you work out all the costs and plan ahead, just follow the two simple steps below. You'll need a calculator to hand as well as knowing the miles per gallon (mpg) of your chosen car (you can find this using our Searchable Price Guide), and the price per litre you pay for fuel .

Comparing the costs makes it easier to find the right car for your budget as well as your needs. For example, although the advance payment may be higher, the running costs of a diesel car could be less over the course of your lease when compared to a petrol car. There are also some cars available to lease for less than your weekly allowance so you could get money back!

Annual Fuel Costs

Step 1 - To find your annual fuel costs - 1. Petrol / Diesel price per gallon. N.B. 1 gallon = 4.546 litres so simply multiply the price per litre by 4.546 to get the price per gallon. 2. Multiply the price per gallon by the number of miles you do in an average year (we've worked out that most of our customers to roughly 8,300 miles per year). 3. Divide this figure by the car's miles per gallon (mpg) 4. Divide it by 100 - this is your annual fuel cost.

Step 2 - Find the total cost over your 3 year lease - 5. Take the annual fuel cost you've just worked out and multiply it by three. 6. If the car you're considering has one, add on the Advance Payment. This is your total motoring costs over your three year lease.

Note:

•  Fuel costs taken from the February 2010 AA Fuel Price Report and are for example purposes only. Fuel costs vary across the country.
• Your mpg may also vary, depending on your individual driving style and travel habits.
• If you are a WAV customer, speak to you converter for a rough idea of costs over the course of a five year lease.