Step 1 of 6
Financial Reality Check — Automotive Edition

That RM1,200/month
car actually costs
RM2,800/month.

Dealerships show you the installment. They hide the fuel, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation. Before you sign anything, see the full picture.

Free · Takes 3 minutes · No signup
Average Malaysian spends 38% of income on car Hidden costs average 60% on top of loan payment New car loses 20% value in year one Only 1 in 5 buyers calculates total ownership cost Insurance + road tax alone: RM2,000–8,000/year Average Malaysian spends 38% of income on car Hidden costs average 60% on top of loan payment New car loses 20% value in year one Only 1 in 5 buyers calculates total ownership cost Insurance + road tax alone: RM2,000–8,000/year
What dealers don't show you

Four costs that will quietly drain your account every month

⛽
Fuel
Based on your commute and engine size. Often RM400–900/month for average drivers.
RM 400 – 900/mo
🛡️
Insurance
Comprehensive cover for a new car ranges RM1,800–6,000/year depending on value.
RM 150 – 500/mo
🔧
Maintenance
Service, tyres, brakes, unexpected repairs. Budgeting RM100–300/month is conservative.
RM 100 – 300/mo
📉
Depreciation
A RM100k car loses ~RM12k/year in value. This is real money you never get back.
RM 600 – 1,500/mo
Real example — Perodua Ativa 2024

A RM75,000 car, broken down honestly

Over 60 months / 5 years at 3.5% interest

Cost Component Monthly Annual 5-Year Total
Loan Installment RM 1,186 RM 14,232 RM 71,160
Fuel (avg 1,200km/mo) RM 530 RM 6,360 RM 31,800
Insurance + Road Tax RM 220 RM 2,640 RM 13,200
Maintenance RM 150 RM 1,800 RM 9,000
Depreciation RM 750 RM 9,000 RM 45,000
TRUE TOTAL COST RM 2,836 RM 34,032 RM 170,160

↑ The dealer quoted RM1,186/month. Reality: RM2,836/month. That's a 139% difference.

How TrueCost works

Three steps to financial clarity

01
Enter Your Finances
Your salary, commitments, savings, and expenses. We calculate how much car you can actually afford — not just what the bank will approve.
02
Pick Your Car
Browse and select the vehicle you're considering. New or used. We pull real Malaysian market pricing and calculate all hidden costs automatically.
03
See the Truth
Get a complete cost breakdown, 5-year scenario analysis, and AI-powered financial advice — in plain language, not jargon.
Step 02 of 06

Financial Reality Check

Before recommending anything, we need to understand your actual financial position. This takes 2 minutes.

01 — Core Financials
RM
After EPF and tax deductions
RM
RM
RM
Not sure? Check your PTPTN account at ptptn.gov.my
RM
RM
02 — Personal Profile (Optional)
Live Financial Analysis
Safe Car Budget (monthly)RM —
Loan Term
Max Car Price (7yr)RM —
Disposable IncomeRM —
After-Car RemainingRM —
Emergency Fund Status—
Debt-to-Income Ratio— %
Financial Risk Enter data
SafeRiskyDangerous

Enter your salary and expenses above to see your personalised analysis.

Step 03 of 06

Select Your Car

Browse Malaysian market options. Cars marked AI Recommended are financially suited to your profile.

AI RECOMMENDATION ENGINE
Complete Step 2 first, then click to get AI-suggested cars highlighted on the grid below.
— cars
Step 04 of 06

True Cost Breakdown

Every ringgit you'll spend owning this car — not just the installment the dealer quoted you.

Monthly Cost Breakdown
🏦 Loan Installment RM —
Formula (Principal × flat rate × years + Principal) ÷ (years × 12)
Inputs used —
Source Standard Malaysian hire purchase formula.
⛽ Fuel (1,200km/mo) RM —
Formula Engine CC bucket × daily km × working days × RON95 price ÷ km-per-litre estimate.
Inputs used —
Source KPDNHEP RON95 price, industry fuel consumption averages.
🛡️ Insurance RM —
Formula Car value × base rate % × NCD multiplier ÷ 12.
Inputs used —
Source BNM Motor Insurance Framework.
🧾 Road Tax RM —
Formula JPJ tiered schedule by engine CC.
Inputs used —
Source JPJ Road Tax Schedule 2024.
🔧 Maintenance Estimate RM —
Formula Fixed estimate by car age (new vs used).
Inputs used —
Source Industry average for Malaysian market.
📉 Monthly Depreciation RM —
Formula Car value × annual depreciation rate ÷ 12.
Inputs used —
Source Malaysian used car market average.
🅿️ Tolls & Parking (Est.)RM —
📊 Total 5-Year CostRM —
True Monthly Ownership Cost
RM —
Financial Safety Rating
—
Income Allocation
—%
of monthly income goes to this car
Recommended maximum: 20–30%
0%25%30%+
Step 05 of 06

Wealth Gap Analysis

Two paths, one decision. See exactly how much wealth you build — or sacrifice — depending on which car you choose.

🔢
Monthly Saving (Used vs New)
RM —
📈
5-Year Wealth (7% p.a.)
RM —
🏆
10-Year Wealth (7% p.a.)
RM —
Horizon:
Investment Portfolio Growth — The smarter alternative vs Your chosen car
Your chosen car — New Car (RM 0 invested)
The smarter alternative — Pre-owned (savings invested at 7% p.a.)
Total Cost vs Wealth Built Over Selected Horizon
Your chosen car Cost
RM —
The smarter alternative Cost
RM —
Wealth Built
RM —
Your chosen car — New Car
RM —
/month total ownership cost
Invested monthly
RM 0
RM 0 portfolio after selected horizon
The smarter alternative — Alternative Option (~65% of price)
RM —
/month lower total cost
Monthly saving invested
RM —
RM — portfolio value
Step 06 of 06

AI Financial Advisor

Personalised AI analysis of your car purchase decision — affordability, risks, and smarter alternatives.

AI Financial Analysis
🤖
Waiting for analysis...
Complete Steps 2 & 3, then click Generate Analysis to get your personalised financial report.
Ask the AI Advisor
TrueCost AI — Chat
TrueCost AI
Hello. I have your full financial profile loaded. Run the analysis above first, then ask me anything about your car decision — I'll give you an honest answer.
Quick Questions
CONTEXT LOADED
Complete your financial profile in Step 2 and select a car in Step 3 to give the AI full context.