It is valuable to search the RACQ’s website for their reports on the cost of running a vehicle. They have a lot of reports. We typed in the terms ‘cost owning operating vehicle’ and got a good list that all look interesting. Start with the Search box on http://www.racq.com.au
For example in June 2010:
Hikes in government charges interest rates and depreciation are pushing up the cost of motoring way beyond the inflation rate for Queenslanders.
RACQ’s June 2010 survey of private motor vehicle expenses shows costs have risen by an average of 5% across all categories in the past 12 months compared with the consumer price index of only 2.8%.
Depending on the class of vehicle motorists were paying between $279 and $1445 a year more to run their cars than they were in 2009.
Queensland motorists have seen the cost of car ownership rise by between $5.38 and $27.80 a week. “Depreciation and interest rates remain the biggest component of total costings.”