Quick answer
According to WHEELSTREET data, a modern car (2020+) consumes 15-30% less fuel than a comparable 10-15 year old model, saving €400-900 per year at Lithuanian fuel prices. However, the €8,000-15,000 higher purchase price of a newer car means it takes 8-12 years of fuel savings to break even — making well-maintained older cars the better financial choice for budget-conscious drivers.
A 2010 VW Golf 1.6 TDI uses 6.5 l/100km in real life. A 2022 Golf 1.5 eTSI mild hybrid — 4.8 l/100km. Difference: €420 per year on fuel alone, and over 5 years — €2,100. But fuel consumption is only part of the story. In this article, we calculate the full cost of car ownership (Total Cost of Ownership): fuel + service + insurance + depreciation. 10 of the most popular models — old version vs new. The results may surprise you.
Why a "Cheap" Old Car Often Costs More
Many buyers choose an old car because of the low purchase price. The logic is simple: a 2010 VW Passat costs €5,000, while a 2021 model costs €18,000. The difference is €13,000. But over 5 years of ownership, the old Passat can "eat" that difference:
- Fuel: +€600-1,200/year (higher consumption)
- Service: +€500-1,500/year (more frequent breakdowns, more expensive parts)
- Insurance: +€100-300/year (comprehensive insurance is pricier for old cars due to breakdowns)
- Depreciation: an old car is practically worthless after 5 more years
Add it up — an old car can cost €6,000-15,000 more over 5 years than the purchase price suggests.
10 Popular Models: Old vs New Version
1. Toyota Corolla
| Old (2010, 1.6 VVT-i) | New (2022, 1.8 Hybrid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €4,500-6,000 | €18,000-22,000 |
| Fuel consumption | 8.5 l/100km | 4.5 l/100km |
| Fuel cost/year | €2,550 | €1,350 |
| Service/year | €500-800 | €200-400 |
| Comprehensive/year | €350 | €550 |
| Depreciation/year | €300 | €1,800 |
| TOTAL per year | €3,700-4,500 | €3,900-4,100 |
| TOTAL over 5 years | €18,500-22,500 + €5,000 purchase | €19,500-20,500 + €20,000 purchase |
Verdict: The Corolla Hybrid costs almost the same to run, but after 5 years it's still worth €12,000-14,000 (vs ~€1,000 for the old one). The real difference is only ~€5,000-7,000, not €15,000.
2. VW Golf
| Old (2011, 1.6 TDI) | New (2021, 1.5 eTSI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €5,000-7,000 | €16,000-20,000 |
| Fuel consumption | 6.5 l/100km | 5.0 l/100km |
| Fuel cost/year | €1,885 | €1,500 |
| Service/year | €600-1,000 | €300-500 |
| Comprehensive/year | €400 | €600 |
| Depreciation/year | €400 | €1,600 |
| TOTAL per year | €3,285-3,685 | €4,000-4,200 |
Verdict: The old Golf TDI is one of those rare cases where an old diesel is genuinely cheaper to run. But only if no major faults appear (DPF, EGR, dual-mass flywheel — each €500-1,500).
3. Toyota RAV4
| Old (2012, 2.0 VVT-i) | New (2021, 2.5 Hybrid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €8,000-11,000 | €26,000-32,000 |
| Fuel consumption | 9.5 l/100km | 5.5 l/100km |
| Fuel cost/year | €2,850 | €1,650 |
| Service/year | €500-800 | €250-400 |
| Depreciation/year | €600 | €2,200 |
| TOTAL per year | €3,950-4,250 | €4,100-4,250 |
Verdict: RAV4 Hybrid running costs are practically identical to the old RAV4. And after 5 years, the new one is still worth €18,000-22,000. One of the best "upgrade" decisions.
More: Toyota RAV4 buying guide | Is the Toyota RAV4 worth it?
4. Hyundai Tucson
| Old (2012, 2.0 CRDi) | New (2022, 1.6 T-GDi HEV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €7,000-10,000 | €22,000-28,000 |
| Fuel consumption | 8.0 l/100km | 5.5 l/100km |
| Fuel cost/year | €2,320 | €1,650 |
| Service/year | €500-900 | €300-500 |
| TOTAL per year | €3,220-3,620 | €3,550-3,750 |
Verdict: Tucson Hybrid — not much more expensive to run, but more modern and safer. Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4
5. Skoda Octavia
| Old (2011, 1.9 TDI) | New (2021, 1.5 TSI eTEC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €4,000-6,000 | €16,000-22,000 |
| Fuel consumption | 6.5 l/100km | 5.5 l/100km |
| Fuel cost/year | €1,885 | €1,650 |
| Service/year | €500-800 | €300-500 |
| TOTAL per year | €2,785-3,085 | €3,150-3,350 |
Verdict: The old Octavia TDI is a legend for a reason. Cheap to run. But the new Octavia eTEC offers modern safety equipment and lower fuel consumption. Skoda Octavia guide
6. BMW 3 Series
| Old (2011, 320d E90) | New (2021, 320d G20) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €6,000-9,000 | €22,000-30,000 |
| Fuel consumption | 7.0 l/100km | 5.0 l/100km |
| Fuel cost/year | €2,030 | €1,450 |
| Service/year | €800-1,500 | €400-700 |
| TOTAL per year | €3,230-3,930 | €3,450-3,750 |
Verdict: An old BMW = lottery ticket. Could be cheap, could cost a fortune (timing chain, VANOS, turbo). The new 320d is one of the most economical premium sedans.
7. Mazda CX-5
| Old (2013, 2.0 Skyactiv-G) | New (2022, 2.0 Skyactiv-G) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €9,000-12,000 | €20,000-26,000 |
| Fuel consumption | 8.0 l/100km | 7.0 l/100km |
| Fuel cost/year | €2,400 | €2,100 |
| Service/year | €400-600 | €300-500 |
| TOTAL per year | €3,200-3,400 | €3,600-3,800 |
Verdict: CX-5 fuel evolution is minimal (no hybrid option). The old version is a good deal if reliable. Mazda CX-5 buying guide
8. Kia Sportage
| Old (2013, 2.0 CRDi) | New (2022, 1.6 T-GDi HEV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €7,000-10,000 | €22,000-28,000 |
| Fuel consumption | 7.5 l/100km | 5.5 l/100km |
| Fuel cost/year | €2,175 | €1,650 |
| Service/year | €400-700 | €300-500 |
| TOTAL per year | €2,975-3,275 | €3,350-3,550 |
Verdict: The new Sportage HEV is one of the best modern SUVs. Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson
9. Volkswagen Passat
| Old (2012, 2.0 TDI) | New (2021, 2.0 TDI Evo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €5,000-8,000 | €18,000-25,000 |
| Fuel consumption | 7.0 l/100km | 5.0 l/100km |
| Fuel cost/year | €2,030 | €1,450 |
| Service/year | €600-1,200 | €400-600 |
| TOTAL per year | €3,030-3,630 | €3,250-3,450 |
Verdict: An old Passat TDI can become a "money pit" — DSG, dual-mass flywheel, DPF, EGR. The new Passat TDI Evo is significantly more reliable and economical.
10. Nissan Qashqai
| Old (2012, 1.6 dCi) | New (2022, 1.3 DIG-T Mild Hybrid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | €5,000-8,000 | €18,000-24,000 |
| Fuel consumption | 6.5 l/100km | 6.0 l/100km |
| Fuel cost/year | €1,885 | €1,800 |
| Service/year | €400-700 | €300-500 |
| TOTAL per year | €2,685-2,985 | €3,300-3,500 |
Verdict: Qashqai improved only marginally on fuel (no full hybrid). The old one is a decent deal. Is the Nissan Qashqai worth it?
Total Cost of Ownership: Summary Table (5 Years, 20,000 km/Year)
| Model | Old (Purchase + 5yr Running) | New (Purchase + 5yr Running) | Value After 5yr (New) | True Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla | €24,000-28,000 | €39,000-41,000 | €12,000-14,000 | ~€5,000-7,000 |
| VW Golf | €21,500-25,500 | €36,000-41,000 | €9,000-12,000 | ~€6,000-10,000 |
| Toyota RAV4 | €28,000-32,000 | €47,000-53,000 | €18,000-22,000 | ~€3,000-7,000 |
| Hyundai Tucson | €23,000-28,000 | €40,000-47,000 | €14,000-18,000 | ~€2,000-7,000 |
| Skoda Octavia | €18,000-22,000 | €32,000-39,000 | €10,000-14,000 | ~€2,000-5,000 |
| BMW 3 Series | €22,000-29,000 | €39,000-49,000 | €14,000-18,000 | ~€3,000-8,000 |
| Kia Sportage | €22,000-26,000 | €39,000-46,000 | €14,000-18,000 | ~€1,000-6,000 |
| VW Passat | €20,000-26,000 | €34,000-42,000 | €12,000-16,000 | ~€2,000-6,000 |
Key takeaway: the true price difference between an old and new car over 5 years is €2,000-8,000, not €10,000-20,000 as the purchase price suggests. And in some cases (RAV4 Hybrid, Tucson HEV) — practically identical.
Break-Even Point: When Does a Newer Car Pay for Itself?
The break-even point is the moment when the cumulative savings from a new car (fuel + service) compensate for the higher purchase price.
| Scenario | Purchase Difference Recouped | Break-Even |
|---|---|---|
| Old petrol → new hybrid (€15,000 difference) | ~€1,500/year savings | ~5 years (but residual value!) |
| Old diesel → new diesel (€12,000 difference) | ~€800/year savings | ~7 years (but residual value!) |
| Old petrol → electric car (€18,000 difference) | ~€2,200/year savings | ~5 years (but residual value!) |
| Old SUV → new SUV hybrid (€16,000 difference) | ~€1,400/year savings | ~6 years (but residual value!) |
Important: the break-even calculation doesn't include residual value. If after 5 years the new car is still worth €12,000-18,000 while the old one is worth €500-2,000, the true break-even is much sooner.
What Accelerates Break-Even?
- High mileage — 30,000 km/year = break-even 30-40% faster
- Large consumption gap — petrol-to-hybrid is better than diesel-to-diesel
- Lower service costs — a new hybrid practically needs no service for the first 3 years
- Higher fuel prices — if petrol rises to €1.70/l, savings increase by 15%
When Is an Old Car STILL the Better Choice?
Honestly — there are situations where an old car is the better financial decision:
1. Low Mileage (Under 8,000 km/Year)
If you drive little, fuel savings are too small to offset the higher purchase price. 8,000 km/year x 3 l/100km difference = only €360/year savings.
2. Short Ownership Period (1-2 Years)
If you plan to keep the car for only 1-2 years — the old one is cheaper because depreciation is minimal.
3. Specific Reliable Models
Some old cars are legendarily reliable and cheap to run: Toyota Corolla E120, Honda Jazz GE, Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI. If you have one and it doesn't break down — don't switch.
4. Limited Budget
If you only have €3,000-5,000 — buy a good old car. Better to have a reliable old car than a bad "newer" one bought with your last money.
More: New vs used — which to choose? | First car under €5,000
Financing Options: How to Buy a Newer Car?
If the numbers show a newer car makes sense but you don't have the full amount — here are the options:
- Leasing — from €150-300/month. If fuel savings are €100-150/month — the lease "pays for itself". Leasing calculator
- Consumer loan — from 4-6% interest. Suitable for smaller budgets
- Sell old + add cash — How to sell your car for more
- WHEELSTREET trade-in — we bring the new one, take the old one. Car delivery
More: Car financing options 2026 | Leasing vs buying
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion: The Maths Doesn't Lie
An old car looks cheap — until you add up the full picture. Fuel, service, insurance, unexpected repairs — all of this over 5 years eats a large portion of the "savings" from the purchase price.
A newer car (especially a hybrid) over 5 years costs only €2,000-8,000 more than an old one, not €15,000-20,000 as you might think. And in some cases — practically the same.
Our advice: before buying any car, calculate the Total Cost of Ownership using our running cost calculator. And if the numbers show that a newer car makes sense — WHEELSTREET will help you find it and deliver it.
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