Find out what buying a car actually costs over 5 years
What does the Ownership Cost Tool show?
The cash price for a car doesn’t reveal how much a car actually costs to own. If you buy a car, use it for 5 years, and then sell it — the actual cost is the “depreciation” of a car over those 5 years, plus all the additional expenses associated with owning the car. Our ownership cost tool estimates the true cost of ownership over the next 5 years, including:
Vehicle Ownership Cost API gives access to information by VIN
| Parameters | Description | Example |
| Make / Model / Trim | The vehicle title (Year, Make, Model, Trim) | 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club |
| Depreciation cost | Depreciation: the loss of market value due to age and mileage | [1677, 1548, 1419, 1290,1161] |
| Insurance cost | Insurance: the expected cost of insurance for this vehicle type | [1856, 1921, 1989, 2058, 2130] |
| Fuel cost | Fuel: the cost of gas based on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency | [1279, 1317, 1363, 1418, 1481] |
| Maintenance cost | Maintenance & Repairs: covering routine & unexpected issues | [2710, 1890, 1186, 1370, 2267] |
| Repairs cost | The estimated yearly repairs cost | [971, 1133, 1291, 1411, 1620] |
| Fees cost | Taxes & Fees: covering sales tax and other state fees | [1163, 132, 169, 108, 150] |
| Total yearly cost | The estimated yearly total cost | 9656 |
| Total 5 years cost | The estimated overall total cost over the next 5 years | 8810 |
Fact-Based Forecasting: Real-World Data for Accurate Cost Predictions

Get an estimate of the total ownership expenses for the next five years with our ownership cost tool.
Exploring Vehicle Ownership Cost Applications Across Industries
Financial Institutions
Leverage the API to assess financial risk associated with vehicle loans, enabling tailored loan terms and risk mitigation
Automotive Research
Gain insights into ownership cost trends across vehicle models, aiding in market assessment and strategic planning
Dealerships
Set competitive pricing, educate customers about long-term costs, and get personalized tips based on budget and usage patterns
Automotive Services
Offer value-added services like maintenance packages tailored to estimated ownership costs, enhancing customer satisfaction
Car Sales and Marketplaces
Set competitive pricing, educate customers about long-term costs, and get personalized tips based on budget and usage patterns
Insurance Companies
Offer value-added services like maintenance packages tailored to estimated ownership costs, enhancing customer satisfaction
VinAudit Ownership Cost: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does VinAudit estimate a vehicle’s ownership cost?
As a vehicle history provider, VinAudit continuously aggregates millions of vehicle data from government agencies and industry partners. Using statistical models based on historical data, the ownership cost API predicts the vehicle’s real-time market value, the vehicle’s yearly mileage, fuel efficiency, reliability, gas prices, labor costs, vehicle owner’s state, and other factors.
How can I set up the Vehicle Ownership Cost API?
- Sign up for an API-enabled account or set up a demo account.
- Log in to your account to access your API key.
- Using your application, make HTTPS requests to the VinAudit API server (api.vinaudit.com).
- Download the output as a JSON, XML, or PDF.
Can the Ownership Cost API provide values for a specific VIN or make, model, and year?
Our API is designed to provide market values for VINs and a wide array of makes, models, and years. This level of specificity ensures precise estimations tailored to the unique characteristics of each vehicle.
Do the taxes and fees vary by state?
Yes, simply use the parameter “state=” followed by the two-letter abbreviation.
How do I request ownership cost data using the API?
To request detailed ownership cost data, send requests to ownershipcost.vinaudit.com using a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or YMMT (Year, Make, Model, Trim). You will need an active API key for authentication. This allows you to obtain customized and accurate ownership cost information based on the vehicle details you provide. For more information, visit the documentation page.

