Car vs Uber calculator

[BBSA]

I have created a Car vs Uber calculator:

Car vs Uber Calculator — South Africa 2026

Is your car actually worth keeping, or would Uber and Bolt cost less? Enter your real numbers and find out. Free calculator with current SA petrol prices.

southafricafacts.co.za

How to use it:

1. Car tab - enter your car price, whether you financed it (and on what terms), your insurance, fuel consumption, and running costs like tyres and maintenance
2. Ride tab - set your Uber/Bolt rate per km, base fare, and how much surge pricing you typically deal with
3. Usage tab - how many trips you do a month, average trip distance, and any extra personal km you do that you couldn't easily Uber (school runs, weekend trips, etc.)

The calculator gives you a full monthly and annual breakdown, shows you which option is cheaper, and even calculates the break-even point, how many trips per month you'd need before the car makes financial sense.

All the defaults are set to realistic South African numbers for April 2026 (petrol price, typical insurance, Uber Go rates in Gauteng), but you can adjust everything to match your situation.

I would appreciate some feedback.

 

[phoneJunky]

Most people do 44 trips a month for work and that 12km for work is a bit on the low side for most. It is accurate for me though. You should also remember that deprecation gets less each year where Uber gets more expensive.

 

[BBSA]

Most people do 44 trips a month for work and that 12km for work is a bit on the low side for most. It is accurate for me though. You should also remember that deprecation gets less each year where Uber gets more expensive.

Thanks for the feedback, will update the calculator.

 

[I.am.Sam]

your calculator doesnt have diesel and is very confusing

 

[BBSA]

I have made the default average trips per month 44 and the default average trip distance 20 km.

I also added diesel and tried to make it less confusing.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Forum Reader]

Works out about the same for me. Paid off car but high fuel consumption with low mileage.

Comments:
- There is also a value for the convenience of being able to jump into your own car without having to wait for Ubers, but that is subjective. Some will place a much higher value on that.
- My car is so old (21 years) that it actually has appreciated in value in the last few years. I set depreciation to the minimum.

 

[airborne]

It needs better options for paid up low cost vehicles

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

It needs better options for paid up low cost vehicles

This my car cost around 48k paid off full insurance, quite reliable , long highway trips,

 

[BBSA]

Works out about the same for me. Paid off car but high fuel consumption with low mileage.

Comments:
- There is also a value for the convenience of being able to jump into your own car without having to wait for Ubers, but that is subjective. Some will place a much higher value on that.
- My car is so old (21 years) that it actually has appreciated in value in the last few years. I set depreciation to the minimum.

View attachment 1903680

Absolutely, just feels nice not being dependent on someone else.

 

[BBSA]

It needs better options for paid up low cost vehicles

Thanks, will have a look.

 

[BBSA]

It needs better options for paid up low cost vehicles

I have added a paid-up car option.

 

[saor]

 

[TheOracle]

View attachment 1903738

On your TV?

 

[saor]

On your TV?

pc
But ja it looks formatted for mobile.

 

[BBSA]

pc
But ja it looks formatted for mobile.

Can you check again? It should be better now.

 

[saor]

Can you check again? It should be better now.

Still quite small desktop.