Purchasing a car in India is significantly more than a fun trip to the showroom—it's about thinking ahead and planning your finances for the long term. The price tag of the car may steal the spotlight, but we hardly hear about the other factors like fuel, servicing, insurance, and resale value. To help you out, we have prepared a guide explaining the total cost of ownership (TCO) of Cars in India, which will be a very handy tool in figuring out whether the car of your dreams is really within your financial limits. For instance, if you're considering a Hyundai Creta or a Tata Nexon in India, having a grasp of the TCO will ensure that you're not taken aback by expenses later.

What is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)?

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) takes into account all the money a buyer spends on a car from the time of purchase to the time of sale, usually over 5-7 years or 100,000 kilometers. Thus, it includes upfront price, operating costs, and depreciation.

The total cost of car ownership (TCO) means the total expenditure involved in a car from the day of purchasing it until the day of selling it.

This includes:

Initial Car price
Registration and road tax
Insurance
Fuel costs
Service and maintenance
Repairs and spare parts
Depreciation
Other expenses

Quite a few car buyers in India base their choice between the popular cars only on the price given at the showroom, whereas a TCO chart will give a more comprehensive picture.

Understanding initial costs

Of all the expenses, the largest one is the purchase price, yet wise decision-making can result in a lower price.

Car Price: The on-road price consists of the ex-showroom price + RTO (8-12%), insurance (₹20,000-50,000), and FASTag. In India, the on-road price of a moderately fitted Maruti Swift is around ₹8-10 lakh.

Taxes and Fees: GST (28%), Road Tax (changing from one state to another—for example, 4-10% in Rajasthan).

Accessories: For mats, covers, or infotainment systems, you can add ₹20,000-50,000.

Maruti and Tata's Popular cars in India are very likely to benefit from the scrappage policy, which could bring the actual cost of the car down to ₹25,000.

Ongoing Running and Maintenance Costs

Such expenditures form approximately 40-50% of the total cost of ownership (TCO), fuel being the biggest part of it.

Cost Type/Annual Estimate (Mid-size SUV)/ Notes:

Fuel/Charging Costs: ₹50,000 to ₹100,000.
Petrol: ₹10 per km.
EV: ₹2 to ₹3 per km (Tata Nexon EV was taken as an example).
Maintenance Costs: ₹10,000 to ₹20,000. Hyundai cars have to be serviced every 10,000 km.
Insurance Costs: ₹15,000 to ₹30,000. Third-party insurance is the minimum requirement. The comprehensive coverage will cost 20-30% extra.

Tires and Other Expenses: ₹8,000 to ₹15,000. The replacement of tires is usually required after 40,000 to 50,000 km.

A little-known fact—hybrid car models such as the Maruti Grand Vitara in India are more fuel-efficient, with a saving of up to 30% compared to petrol cars.

Hidden Costs and Resale Value

Besides, you should not forget about the depreciation (20-30% in the first year and 10-15% each subsequent year) and loan interest (8-10% EMI) expenses.

Loan: In the case of a 10 lakh loan at 9% interest, the hire purchase/mortgage repayment will amount to an extra ₹1.5-2 lakh over 5 years.
Parking/Tolls: From ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 per year in cities.
Resale: Cars from reliable brands like Toyota/Maruti retain 60-70% of their value in 5 years in India. However, the value of EVs without the battery warranty drops sharply.

TCO example for the Tata Punch (petrol): ₹12 lakh buying + ₹4 lakh running cost = ₹16 lakh for 5 years (₹2.6 lakh/year).

Conclusion

Coming to grips with the price of car ownership in India helps you to prevent budget disruptions. Apart from the buying, the main contributing factors are fuel, servicing, insurance, and depreciation. Hence, it is good to always keep in mind the long-term expenses when choosing popular cars in India, not only the showroom price.

Real buyers make a point of comparing not only the showroom prices but also the total cost of ownership as well.

FAQs

Q1.What are the popular cars in India with the lowest TCO?

Including both the Tata Nexon EV (₹1.5-2 lakh/year) and Maruti Brezza Hybrid—EVs come out as winners when it comes to running costs.

Q2.How much is the price of the car connected with the car insurance in India?

The more expensive your car, the bigger your premium (1-3% of IDV annually). Choose the zero-depreciation cover to be able to repair your car.

Q3.Can we say that owning an electric car in India is really more affordable?

Definitely, a TCO will be lower by 20-30% than petrol cars over 5 years due to a subsidy of ₹1.5 lakh and almost no maintenance costs.

Q4.How much does a family SUV typically cost in terms of TCO?

Reference: ARAI figures, ₹20-30 lakh over 5 years/75,000 ‍‌‍‍‌km.