Ownership guides
UK Car Running Cost Guides
Compare real-world ownership costs for popular UK cars including fuel, insurance, servicing, repairs, reliability and depreciation. Browse detailed guides covering BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Tesla, Porsche, Toyota and more.
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Most popular guides
BMW M140i Running Costs
Fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and ownership costs.
BMW M340i Running Costs
Fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and ownership costs.
Audi RS3 Running Costs
Fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and ownership costs.
Volkswagen Golf R Running Costs
Fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and ownership costs.
Tesla Model 3 Running Costs
Fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and ownership costs.
BMW 330d Running Costs
Fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and ownership costs.
All ownership cost guides
BMW M140i Running Costs
The BMW M140i is one of the UK's most popular used performance hatchbacks. It offers strong performance from its 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine, but running costs can be much higher than a normal family hatchback once fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing and depreciation are included.
Audi RS3 Running Costs
The Audi RS3 is one of the UK's most popular performance cars thanks to its distinctive 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, quattro all-wheel drive system and everyday usability. While it delivers supercar-rivalling acceleration, ownership costs can be significantly higher than a standard Audi A3 once fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation are taken into account.
BMW M340i Running Costs
The BMW M340i is one of the most appealing used performance saloons in the UK. It gives you much of the speed and refinement of a full M car, but with lower running costs, better comfort and everyday usability. The 3.0-litre B58 engine is strong, smooth and seriously quick, but ownership costs are still much higher than a normal 3 Series once fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing and depreciation are included.
BMW 330d Running Costs
The G20 BMW 330d is one of the most complete all-round cars on the used market. It combines strong performance, excellent motorway fuel economy and long-distance comfort in a way that very few rivals can match. While it is cheaper to run than a petrol M340i, ownership costs are still significantly higher than those of a typical family hatchback once fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation are taken into account.
Volkswagen Golf R Running Costs
The Mk7.5 Volkswagen Golf R is one of the UK's most popular performance hatchbacks thanks to its combination of pace, practicality and all-weather usability. With over 300 bhp, four-wheel drive and everyday comfort, it delivers serious performance without sacrificing daily usability. However, ownership costs are significantly higher than those of a standard Golf once fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing and depreciation are included.
Lamborghini Aventador Running Costs
The Lamborghini Aventador is one of the most dramatic road cars ever built. Its naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, scissor doors and exotic styling make it a genuine poster car. However, ownership costs are on a completely different level to most performance cars. Fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation can easily add up to tens of thousands of pounds per year, making the Aventador a car that should be purchased with both passion and a realistic budget.
Audi A4 2.0 TDI Running Costs
The 2020 Audi A4 2.0 TDI is one of the most popular premium diesel saloons in the UK. It combines strong motorway fuel economy, comfortable long-distance cruising and a high-quality interior while remaining relatively affordable to run compared with performance-focused alternatives. However, buyers should still consider fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres, repairs and depreciation when calculating the true cost of ownership.
BMW 320d Running Costs
The BMW 320d has long been one of the UK's most popular executive cars thanks to its combination of strong fuel economy, motorway comfort and premium feel. For drivers covering significant annual mileage, the 320d often represents one of the cheapest ways to own a premium saloon. However, ownership costs still include fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres, repairs and depreciation, all of which should be considered before buying.
BMW 340i Running Costs
The BMW F30 340i is widely regarded as one of the best all-round performance saloons BMW has produced. Powered by the highly respected B58 turbocharged six-cylinder engine, it combines strong performance, everyday comfort and surprising long-distance usability. However, buyers should remember that fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation can significantly increase the true cost of ownership.
BMW 335d Running Costs
The BMW F30 335d is one of the fastest and most capable diesel saloons ever sold in the UK. Combining a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine with xDrive four-wheel drive, it delivers impressive performance while maintaining fuel economy that many petrol performance cars cannot match. However, ownership costs still extend beyond fuel and include insurance, servicing, tyres, repairs and depreciation.
Audi S3 Running Costs
The Audi S3 is one of the UK's most popular performance hatchbacks and saloons. Offering strong performance, quattro all-wheel drive and everyday practicality, it sits between a standard A3 and the more extreme RS3. While cheaper to own than many high-performance cars, buyers should still budget carefully for fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
Mercedes E220d Running Costs
The Mercedes E220d is one of the UK's most popular executive diesel cars, known for its comfort, refinement and long-distance efficiency. It is a favourite among motorway drivers, business users and private owners looking for a premium driving experience without excessive running costs. While it is cheaper to fuel than many petrol alternatives, buyers should still consider insurance, servicing, tyres, repairs and depreciation when calculating the true cost of ownership.
Mercedes C220d Running Costs
The Mercedes C220d is one of the UK's most popular premium diesel saloons. It combines strong fuel economy, comfortable motorway cruising and a premium interior while remaining relatively affordable to run compared with larger executive cars. Although ownership costs are lower than many performance models, buyers should still factor in fuel, insurance, maintenance, tyres, repairs and depreciation when assessing the true cost of ownership.
BMW 530d Running Costs
The BMW G30 530d is widely regarded as one of the best executive cars BMW has ever produced. Combining a smooth six-cylinder diesel engine, excellent motorway comfort and impressive fuel economy, it offers a balance of performance and efficiency that few rivals can match. While cheaper to fuel than many petrol-powered executive cars, buyers should still consider insurance, maintenance, tyres, repairs and depreciation when calculating the true cost of ownership.
Audi A6 3.0 TDI Running Costs
The Audi A6 3.0 TDI is one of the most complete executive cars on the used market. Combining a smooth six-cylinder diesel engine, premium interior and impressive long-distance refinement, it appeals to drivers who regularly cover motorway miles. While it is cheaper to fuel than many petrol-powered executive cars, buyers should still budget for insurance, maintenance, tyres, repairs and depreciation when assessing the true cost of ownership.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Running Costs
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the most recognisable performance cars ever made. Combining everyday practicality with strong performance and relatively sensible running costs, it has become a favourite among UK drivers looking for a fast daily driver. While it is cheaper to own than more powerful alternatives such as the Golf R or Audi RS3, buyers should still factor fuel, insurance, maintenance, tyres and depreciation into the overall ownership cost.
Tesla Model 3 Running Costs
The Tesla Model 3 has become one of the UK's most popular electric cars thanks to its combination of low running costs, strong performance and extensive charging network. Compared with equivalent petrol and diesel executive cars, the Model 3 can dramatically reduce fuel and servicing costs. However, buyers should still consider insurance, tyre wear, depreciation and charging habits when calculating the true cost of ownership.
Skoda Octavia vRS Running Costs
The Skoda Octavia vRS is one of the most sensible performance cars on the UK market. Sharing much of its engineering with the Volkswagen Golf GTI, it combines strong performance with a huge boot, practical interior and relatively affordable running costs. While it is cheaper to own than many premium performance cars, buyers should still consider fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation when calculating the true cost of ownership.
Toyota GR Yaris Running Costs
The Toyota GR Yaris is one of the most unusual performance cars sold in the UK. Built as a homologation special for rallying, it combines a lightweight chassis, all-wheel drive system and turbocharged three-cylinder engine to deliver serious performance. While it is often cheaper to own than many German performance cars, buyers should still consider fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing and depreciation when calculating the true cost of ownership.
Toyota GR86 Running Costs
The Toyota GR86 is one of the few affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars still available in the UK. Built with driver enjoyment as the priority, it combines a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre engine, manual gearbox option and lightweight chassis to deliver an engaging driving experience. While it is less expensive to own than many German sports cars, buyers should still consider fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing and depreciation when calculating the true cost of ownership.
BMW M3 Running Costs
The BMW F80 M3 is one of the most popular performance saloons ever sold in the UK. Combining a twin-turbocharged straight-six engine, rear-wheel drive and everyday practicality, it offers supercar-chasing pace while remaining usable as a daily driver. However, ownership costs are significantly higher than those of a standard 3 Series. Fuel, insurance, tyres, brakes, servicing and depreciation all contribute to the true cost of ownership.
BMW M4 Running Costs
The BMW F82 M4 takes everything that made the F80 M3 popular and packages it into a two-door coupe. Powered by BMW's twin-turbocharged S55 straight-six engine, the M4 delivers serious performance while remaining practical enough for everyday use. Running costs are considerably higher than those of a standard 4 Series, however. Fuel, insurance, tyres, brakes and depreciation all play a major role in determining the true cost of ownership.
BMW M5 Running Costs
The BMW F10 M5 offers one of the biggest performance bargains available on the used market. Originally costing well over £80,000, it combines a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, executive-car comfort and supercar-rivalling acceleration for a fraction of its original price. However, while purchase prices have become surprisingly affordable, ownership costs have not. Fuel, tyres, brakes, servicing, repairs and depreciation can quickly turn a cheap purchase into an expensive ownership experience.
Audi RS4 Running Costs
The Audi RS4 Avant is one of the most complete performance cars available in the UK. Combining a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, quattro all-wheel drive and estate-car practicality, it delivers supercar-rivalling pace while remaining comfortable enough for daily use. However, ownership costs are considerably higher than those of a standard A4. Fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing and depreciation all contribute significantly to the true cost of ownership.
Audi RS5 Running Costs
The Audi RS5 combines the practicality and refinement of the A5 range with performance that rivals many dedicated sports cars. Powered by a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 and paired with quattro all-wheel drive, it delivers effortless pace in all weather conditions. While cheaper to run than some V8-powered alternatives, ownership costs remain firmly in performance-car territory. Fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing and depreciation all contribute significantly to the true cost of ownership.
Audi TT RS Running Costs
The Audi TT RS is one of the most distinctive performance cars on the used market. Powered by Audi's legendary 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine, it delivers supercar-rivalling acceleration while remaining compact enough for everyday use. The unique engine sound, quattro all-wheel drive system and strong reliability reputation have helped it develop a loyal following. However, ownership costs extend far beyond the purchase price and include fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing, repairs and depreciation.
Porsche 718 Cayman Running Costs
The Porsche 718 Cayman is widely regarded as one of the best driver's cars available at any price. Combining sharp handling, mid-engine balance and everyday usability, it offers a sports car experience that few rivals can match. While ownership costs are generally lower than many supercars, buyers should still budget carefully for fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing and depreciation. The purchase price is only part of the overall cost of ownership.
Porsche 718 Boxster Running Costs
The Porsche 718 Boxster is one of the few true sports cars that can comfortably be used every day. Combining mid-engine balance, sharp handling and the appeal of open-top motoring, it delivers a driving experience that few rivals can match. While the Boxster is generally cheaper to own than many exotic sports cars, ownership costs still include fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing, repairs and depreciation. Buyers should consider the full ownership picture rather than focusing solely on the purchase price.
Porsche 911 Running Costs
The Porsche 911 is one of the few cars that genuinely deserves its reputation. Combining everyday usability with world-class performance, it has become the benchmark sports car for decades. Unlike many exotic alternatives, a 911 can comfortably handle commuting, road trips and weekend drives while still delivering serious performance. However, ownership costs remain significant. Fuel, insurance, tyres, servicing and depreciation all contribute to the true cost of ownership, even if the car holds its value better than many rivals.