Whole-of-life cost (total cost of ownership)

Whole-of-life cost is everything a vehicle costs from purchase to disposal, including depreciation, fuel, maintenance, registration, insurance, tax and financing, expressed as a total, a yearly figure or cents per kilometre.

Purchase price is a poor guide to what a vehicle costs; depreciation and fuel usually dominate. Whole-of-life costing puts every bucket on the table so vehicles, and replacement timing, can be compared honestly. It is the standard method fleet bodies like AfMA and IPWEA teach.

Last updated 10 July 2026. General information, not tax or legal advice.