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Finding a car to suit your budget can be tricky. The purchase price is one thing, but what about ongoing running costs? That’s where RAC's 2025 Car Running Costs guide can help.
Over the course of a year, the amount of money you spend to keep your car on the road can easily run into thousands of dollars, particularly if you’re paying off a car loan with interest rates creeping higher. In addition to ongoing running costs, depreciation means the value of your car will be going down, reducing its value significantly as the months and years roll by.
Before you buy a car, it’s worth considering just what the total costs of owning and running it will be as it can vary significantly depending on what you choose.
To help you uncover the true costs of a car before you buy, RAC’s 2025 Car Running Costs guide provides a breakdown of the weekly, monthly and annual costs associated with owning and operating a car in Western Australia.
We assessed more than 50 popular cars across 9 categories, considering the cost of fuel and servicing, loan repayments, along with the initial purchase price, depreciation, the Compulsory Third Party insurance (CTP) that is part of your car registration and general car insurance premiums.
Our Car Running Costs calculations are based on a five-year period from new, driving 15,000km per year in private use. For more details about the assumptions used to calculate these results, see the Calculations Criteria sections below. A full list of results from all vehicles is also available in PDF format below.
Most of the cheapest cars to ‘fuel’ were in the electric vehicle (EV) category. Once again, the BYD Dolphin was the cheapest at just $51.03 per month to charge. In this year’s survey the second cheapest EVs to charge were the Tesla Model 3 and the BYD Seal - both coming in at $55 per month.
Many more hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVs made the list this year, but among the non-electrified cars, the lightest on fuel was the Mazda 2 in the light passenger car category at $115.94 per month. The cheapest to 'fuel' overall in the light car category was the Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport Hybrid at $72.19 per month - a relatively substantial gap.
In the popular mid-size SUV category, the best for low 'fuel' costs was an EV - the Tesla Model Y at $61.96 per month followed closely by another EV - the Leapmotor C10 at $66.02.
Among the large SUVs, the Toyota Kluger GX Hybrid AWD was the cheapest on fuel with monthly costs of $133. And at $138.39 per month, the diesel-fuelled Kia Sorrento S was not far behind.
Among the 4X4 utes, the BYD Shark 6 - a plug-in hybrid - was the cheapest on fuel at $103.25 per month - 'fuelling' meaning both charging and liquid fuel costs.
Once again, the biggest fuel guzzler overall was the Nissan Patrol Ti l (in the large SUV category). It will set you back $342 in fuel per month.
Category | Make and Model | Total costs (p/week) | ANCAP safety rating |
Light car | MG MG3 Hybrid+ Excite | $232.29 | 4 stars |
Small car | BYD Dolphin Essential | $224.31 | 5 stars |
Small SUV | Chery Tiggo 4 | $237.70 | Not rated |
Medium car | Toyota Camry Ascent Hybrid | $293.40 | 5 stars |
Medium SUV | GWM Haval H6 Lux Hybrid | $292.16 | 5 stars |
Large SUV | Subaru Outback AWD | $353.23 | 5 stars |
People Mover | Hyundai Staria US4 | $387.78 | 5 stars |
2WD Ute | Mazda BT-50 XS |
Depreciation is still the single biggest cost of owning a car, despite it being something drivers don’t often consider because it doesn’t become an issue until it comes time to sell the car.
Generally, the more you pay for a vehicle when it’s new, the more dollars you’ll lose in depreciation over the lifetime of the vehicle. That said, the same vehicle may still lose a lower percentage of its initial value than other vehicles, and therefore have lower depreciation in percentage terms.
Among the mid-size SUVs, the Toyota RAV4 GX lost the least to depreciation dropping from its initial purchase price of $46,484 to $25,800 over five years. In the large SUV category, the Toyota Landcruiser LC300 GX lost the least, with a purchase price of $109,99 and a resale after five years of $73,100.
The MG MG3 Excite Hybrid+ was the cheapest light car to own and run. With an estimated on-road price of $29,710, after five years its trade-in value will be approximately $14,400.
To fuel the MG3, you’ll be paying $102.13 per month. Regular servicing averages out to $50.15 per month.
Adding both standing costs and running costs together, the total cost of owing and keeping the MG3 on the road are $1006.58 per month or $12,078.98 annual running costs.
Runners up:
Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport Hybrid - $1,011.01 total p/month ($12,132.14 annually)
Mazda 2 - $1,048.59 p/month ($12,584.29 annually)
The BYD Dolphin Essential was the cheapest small car to own and run. Its estimated on-road price is $32,558.33 and after five years, its trade-in value will be approximately $14,500.
The BYD Dolphin's recharging costs are $51.03 per month, with servicing working out to $22 per month.
Overall, the total cost to own and run the Dolphin will be $972.02 per month, or $11,664.26 total annual cost .
Runners up:
Hyundai i30 - $10,85.03 p/month ($13,020.31 annually)
Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid - $1,088.76 p/month ($13,065.07 annually)
The Chery Tiggo 4 Urban HEV is the cheapest small SUV to own and run. Its estimated on-road price is $30,710 and after five years depreciation will bring its value down to $13,900.
Fuel will cost you $118.13 per month, and servicing costs will be $33.75 per month.
The total cost of owning and running the Chery Tiggo is $1,030.02 per month, or $12,360.20 annual cost.
Runners up:
Hyundai Venue - $1,046.21 p/month ($12,554.54 annually)
Toyota Yaris Cross GX Hybrid - $1,056.95 p/month ($12,683.51 annually)
The cheapest light SUV to own and run is the Toyota Camry Ascent Hybrid. It has an estimated on-road price of $44,168.27 and a trade-in value after five years of $22,000.
Fuel will cost $95 per month, and $30.08 per month in servicing costs.
Together, the total standing costs and running costs come to $1,271.40, or $15,256.81 per year.
Runners up:
BYD Seal Dynamic - $1,414.71 p/month ($16,976.56 annually)
Tesla Model 3 - $1,606.73 p/month ($19,280.72 annually)
The Hyundai Staria US4 is the cheapest people mover to own and run. With an estimated on-road price of $54,759.60 and a trade-in value after five years of $24,000, you'll be paying around $229.69 per month for fuel and $47.55 for servicing per month.
Overall, it will cost $1,680.37 to own and run the Staria per month, or $20,164.43 per year.
Runners up:
Kia Carnival - $1,710.49 p/month ($20,525.86 annually)
Ford Tourneo Custom Active - $2,010.73 p/month ($24,128.73 annually)
In this popular category, the cheapest medium-size SUV to own and run is the GWM Haval H6 Lux Hybrid. It has an estimated on-road price of $41,711.90 and a trade-in value after five years of $14,900.
Fuel will cost $113.75 per month, with servicing costs at $36.33 per month.
Together, the total standing costs and running costs come to $1,266.02 per month, or $15,192.30 over a year.
Runners up:
BYD Sealion 6 Essential - $1,266.25 p/month ($15,195.02 annually)
Mazda CX-5 G20 Max - $1,288.73 p/month ($15,464.75 annually)
The Subaru Outback AWD is the cheapest large SUV to own and run. Its estimated on-road price is $49,295.04 and its trade-in value after five years is $24,900.
You can expect to pay $159.69 per month in fuel and $54.84 per month in servicing costs.
Total standing and running costs per month are $1,530.65 or $18,367.79 annually.
Runners up:
Kia Sorrento S - $1,675.35 p/month ($20,104.22 annually)
Toyota Kluger GX Hybrid - $1,782.75 p/month ($21,393.07 annually)
The cheapest 2WD ute to own and run is the Mazda BT-50 XS. The BT-50's estimated on-road price is $40,160.72 and its trade-in value after five years is $17,900.
Fuel costs are $158.81 per month, and servicing is $47.69 per month.
Overall, to own and run this ute you'll be paying $1,297.63 per month, or $15,571.61 annually.
Runners up:
Mitsubishi Triton GLX - $1,309.75 p/month ($15,717.07 annually)
Toyota Hilux Workmate Hi-Rider - $1,314.21 p/month ($15,770.60 annually)
The cheapest 4WD ute to own and run is the BYD Shark plug-in hybrid. Its estimated on-road price is $60,734.25 and its trade-in value after five years is $29,500.
Expect to pay $103.25 to 'fuel' it per month (including charging costs) and $45.65 in servicing per month.
Combined standing costs and running costs come to $1,636.23 per month, or $19,634.76 over a year.
Runners up:
Mitsubishi Triton GSR - $1,903.80 p/month ($22,845.56 annually)
Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain - $2,100.12 p/month ($25,201.46 annually)
Download the complete breakdown of Western Australia's cheapest cars to own and run.
This schedule is a guide to the average cost of owning and operating vehicles for private purposes.
It is based on typical vehicles in various sizes available in Australia and provides an indication of the likely areas of regular out-of-pocket expenses.
The costs of purchasing, owning and operating a car are shown in several formats:
Manufacturer's list price
On-road price
Total comprehensive insurance, registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs in dollars per month
Total running costs in dollars per month and per week
Total annual cost in dollars
Residual value after five years
Calculations have been made for an annual distance of 15,000km and are based on buying a new vehicle and operating it for five years.
Ownership costs are estimated using values for 2025.
Private ownership.
The cost of financing a vehicle with a five-year car loan using RAC Finance
The tables provide costings for 50 vehicles. Most models are chosen from the top selling vehicles in each class.
The costings are indicative only for comparison purposes, and not necessarily an indicator of actual costs.
All costs used in these calculations were current at the time of compilation.
We have assumed 100% of the total cost (including statutory and other on-road costs) of the new vehicles has been financed.
The loan through RAC Finance is secured, has a five-year term with monthly repayments and an assumed market-competitive comparison interest rate based on the value of the loan of between 8.02% and 11.8477%.
This also takes account of fees and charges to establish and maintain the loan. The theoretical start date of the loan is 1 June, 2025. The loan is fully repaid at the end of the five-year period.
RAC Finance details shown are indicative only; actual rates, terms, conditions and fees may vary.
The residual values shown are sourced for each model from reputable pricing and vehicle data guides. The difference between this and the initial purchase price is the amount lost to depreciation during the costing period.
List prices or manufacturers’ national on-going drive away price offers, where applicable, were current at the time of compilation.
The estimated on-road price includes average dealer delivery fees as surveyed by us for each brand, plus registration and other statutory fees and charges.
The cost of registering a vehicle in Western Australia for a year as at 1 July 2025 includes:
Vehicle licensing fee calculated at $28.64 per 100kg of vehicle mass.
Compulsory third-party injury insurance premium of $504.70 for passenger cars and $4469.25 for goods vehicles.
Recording fee of $9.50.
Number plates (standard): $32.00
Comprehensive yearly insurance costs have been determined using RAC Motor Insurance premiums as follows:
Private use.
Age 30 years.
Garaged in the Perth suburb of Morley, postcode 6062.
Loan finance.
RAC Standard Roadside Assistance membership at $124 p.a.
Fuel costs are based on the average ofPerth metropolitan area and regional WA pricingover the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, based on Fuelwatch data published by the State Government.
The electricity price used is based on the Synergy Home Plan (A1) tariff, representing standard home charging. EV charging from public stations may be more costly.
The prices used are:
ULP | 175.00 c/l |
PULP | 190.00 c/l |
Diesel | 181.5 c/l |
Electricity | 32.4 cents per kilowatt/hour |
Fuel consumption data was based on the Australian Design Rule 81/01 standard fuel consumption test.
For the electric vehicles, the domestic electricity tariff 11 of 32.4 cents/kWh has been used along with the official energy consumption as provided by the manufacturer.
The Western Australian Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) rebate of $3,500 ended on May 10, 2025 and was therefore not applied to the 2025 vehicle costings.
In the case of plug-in hybrid vehicles which combine electric and petrol engine technologies, the domestic electricity tariff and appropriate petrol costs and official fuel consumption have been used.
We assume a replacement set of four tyres will be required during the calculation period.
Replacement costs include fitting and balancing in conjunction with replacing the four tyres. Costs are at retail pricing.
Tyre selection is based on the most suitable replacement for the original equipment branded tyre or a tyre of equivalent specification of a different brand suitable for the vehicle.
Maintenance costs include dealer servicing according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
Where a manufacturer offers capped price servicing, this has been factored into our costings.
With certain makes and models, we use their service inclusive program which is a one-off payment that covers servicing for an elected period of time.
Where a manufacturer’s capped price servicing arrangements expire earlier than our five-year calculation period, servicing reverts to normal servicing schedule at appropriate rates.
A replacement 12-volt battery and fitting is included in the costing period for most vehicleFringe benefits exemption for eligible low emissions models purchased under novated lease agreements
In 2022, the Federal Government amended legislation to provide a discount on Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles purchased from 1 July 2022, with the discount for the latter group applying until 2025.
The discount now applies only to electric vehiclespriced below the threshold for the Federal Government’s Luxury Car Tax (in 2025-26, this is $91.387 for fuel-efficient vehicles).
This has made the option of employees obtaining an electric vehicle though a salary packaging arrangement more financially attractive, because they don’t have to make FBT contributions when they lease eligible vehicles.
While the fringe benefits tax exemption on eligible electric cars can save consumers thousands, it is important to ensure you make the most appropriate car purchasing arrangements for your financial situation.
$299.45
5 stars |
4WD Ute | BYD Shark 6 | $377.59 | 5 stars |
