"Economical car" is a phrase used to refer to fuel consumption alone, while the actual cost of running one is made up of four items: fuel, routine servicing, parts when needed, and the value the car loses over time. A car that uses less fuel but costs more in parts can work out more expensive than one that doesn't.
| Item | How to estimate it |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Your monthly distance ÷ the model's consumption × the fuel price |
| Routine servicing | Annual cost of oil and filters based on the change intervals |
| Spare parts | Local availability — a rare model always costs more |
| Depreciation | Common models hold their value better than rare ones |
The third item is the most overlooked and the most significant in the Syrian market: a model whose parts aren't available locally costs you waiting and a higher price on every repair, however economical it is on fuel.
Before considering a more economical model, try what can be done with the one you have — the difference may surprise you:
Change intervals are covered in our service schedule guide.
These pose a different equation: lower consumption against a higher purchase price and different servicing and charging considerations. The right calculation is the payback period — divide the purchase price difference by the monthly fuel saving, and the result is the number of months at which they break even. See our guide to electric and hybrid cars.
Ask the current owner for actual consumption rather than the official figure, and how they use the car — city or open road. Then compare within the models common locally first, because parts availability matters as much as a noticeable difference in consumption.
Browse the car listings and compare, and read our buying guide before viewing.
Economy isn't fuel alone but fuel, servicing, parts and depreciation together. Improve the car you already have before replacing it, and if you do buy, compare within the models whose parts are available locally.
Not necessarily. The real cost has four parts: fuel, routine servicing, spare parts and depreciation. A car that uses less fuel but costs more in parts can be more expensive overall.
Set tyre pressures regularly, replace the air filter within its interval, remove unnecessary weight from the boot, and avoid repeated acceleration and braking — the biggest consumer in city driving.
Work out the payback: divide the purchase price difference by the monthly fuel saving, and the result is the number of months at which they break even. Then add local parts availability and expertise to the calculation.
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