What are the Cheapest Cars To Run?

This is the big question most of us are wanting to know in these financially challenging times. Thanks to the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA), this information is just a click away.
They conducted a survey of car operating costs for over 500 vehicles using 8 popular categories as reported by VFACTS an Automotive Industry Authority.

NRMA Private Operating Costs are calculated with the assumption that every vehicle is purchased and maintained for a period of five years and travels an average of 15,000 kilometres annually. Whole of life operating costs are then calculated based on the factors.

1. Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated using the manufacturers recommended retail price including dealer delivery and statutory charges less the forecast residual value for each model. Drive-away deals are included where these are ongoing and not a short term special.

 
2. Opportunity Interest
This is the loss in interest from the capital consumed by depreciation calculated at the RBA Policy interest rate of 6.00 per cent. There has been no provision for the borrowing expense of the capital.

 
3. Vehicle Registration, Comprehensive Insurance and NRMA Membership
Calculated using private registration rates from the NSW RTA and average CTP and comprehensive insurance estimates for NSW for an owner driver aged 29-55 years of age. The GST impact has been included. NRMA Basic Care rates have been used.

4. Maintenance Repairs
Vehicle maintenance costs are calculated using manufacturers' recommended service schedules and retail prices and include a range of replacement parts considered appropriate for average city driving conditions.

Where ADR79/01 data is not available, average fuel consumption is taken from road tests and research carried out by NRMA Motoring + Services. Average cost of fuel per kilometre is then calculated using the average price per litre for the recommended fuel type for each vehicle using values.

Note that the calculations were conducted when fuel prices were high, ULP being $1.53 per litre. Since then the prices have dropped, so bear this in mind when budgeting.

WOL=Whole of Life