Registration & CTP Insurance
WA registration costs $360-850/year depending on vehicle type. CTP insurance is included. Total: approximately $600-900/year.
Comprehensive Insurance
Average Perth premium: $1,200-2,500/year. Factors include your age, suburb, vehicle value, and claims history. Under-25 drivers pay significantly more.
Fuel
Average Perth petrol price: $1.75-1.95/L. Driving 15,000km/year in a car averaging 8L/100km costs approximately $2,100-2,340/year.
Servicing & Maintenance
Minor service: $200-350. Major service: $400-800. Budget $600-1,500/year depending on vehicle age and type. European vehicles cost 30-50% more to service.
Tyres
A set of quality tyres: $400-1,200. Typically replaced every 40,000-60,000km. Annual cost: approximately $200-400.
Depreciation
The largest cost. A $30,000 car may lose $3,000-5,000/year in value. Buying a 2-3 year old vehicle significantly reduces this hit.
Parking
Perth CBD parking: $15-30/day or $250-450/month for a bay. Suburban parking is generally free.
Total Annual Cost
For a typical Perth driver with a $25,000 used car: $8,000-12,000/year all-in, or $670-1,000/month. That's $160-230/week to keep a car on the road.