How Much Does Your Car Really Cost You Each Month?

(Photo credit: Freepik)

When people think about car expenses, they usually focus on fuel or loan payments. But owning a car comes with many hidden costs that can quietly drain your wallet each month.

Let’s break down the real monthly expenses of owning a car — so you can better manage your budget (or decide if it’s time to let your car go).

1. Fuel (or Charging) Costs

• • Depends on your average mileage and fuel efficiency
  • Most drivers cover about 1,000–1,500 km/month
  • Example: If your car runs 12 km/l and fuel costs ฿35/litre → fuel costs are about ฿2,900 - 4,400/month

Tip: Choosing efficient routes and driving habits can help reduce fuel use.

2. Monthly Loan Installments (If Any)

• • A ฿600,000 car over 60 months with 2.5–3% interest → monthly payment of around ฿9,500–11,000
  • Many owners only think of the monthly figure, not the total cost with interest

If you’ve already paid off half or more, it may be worth re-evaluating your loan vs. car value.

3. Maintenance & Repairs (Averaged Monthly)

• • Oil changes, tire replacements, batteries, etc.
  • Annual maintenance cost: ฿10,000–20,000 → about ฿800–1,600/month

The older your car, the higher your repair bills. It’s smart to budget ahead.

4. Insurance, Annual Tax & Compulsory Coverage

• • These are annual costs but should be spread across months for better budgeting
  • First-class insurance: ฿15,000–20,000/year
  • Annual tax: ฿2,000–5,000 (depending on engine size)→ Total monthly average: ฿1,400–2,000

Cars over 7 years old may no longer need first-class insurance — compare before renewing.

5. Parking, Tolls & Small Extras

• • Parking in the city: ฿50–100/day
  • Tollways: ฿60–120/day
  • Car wash, shopping mall parking, cleaning, etc.→ Easily adds up to ฿1,000–2,000/month

City driving often comes with “invisible” costs that add up quickly. Bottom Line: Your Car May Be Costing You

฿6,000 – 18,000+ per month, depending on usage, age, and lifestyle.

That’s a major monthly expense — and one many people overlook until they crunch the numbers.

Is Your Car Still Worth It?

If your car’s monthly costs feel too high, or you’re thinking of upgrading, downsizing, or just cutting back — Motorist Thailand makes it easy to sell your car by yourself. Get a free valuation in seconds and support throughout the process, so you can sell at the right price without the hassle.

Read More:  5 Signs It Might Be Time to Sell Your Old Car

Looking for a  car appraisal?  You can contact us for a free car valuation within 24 hours…