Trade Reality Check
Van Cost Per Mile Calculator
Find out roughly what your van really costs for every business mile. Add your MPG, mileage and annual van costs to estimate your fuel cost, total running cost and how it compares with HMRC simplified mileage.
Insurance, tax, servicing, repairs, tyres, finance or lease etc. Do not include fuel. Enter the full amount you actually pay, including VAT where it is charged. If the van is also used privately, use the business-use share where appropriate.
Your van reality check
65p
estimated cost per business mile, using your figures and the latest fuel price available.
Fuel price used: 181.97p/litre diesel, week ending 10 August 2026.
Source: DESNZ Weekly Road Fuel Prices. HMRC comparison uses the 2026–27 simplified-expenses mileage rates.
This is a simple business sense-check using your own figures and UK pump fuel prices, not accounting or tax advice. Fuel uses the UK pump price, so if you normally claim VAT back on some van costs, your real cost may be a little lower than this estimate.
A free tool from SmartTradie
How the calculator works
Enter your van’s MPG, annual business mileage and your other yearly van costs. The calculator uses the latest available UK fuel price to estimate your fuel cost per mile, then adds your other van costs to show an approximate cost per business mile and per year.
Why it is worth knowing
Fuel is only part of what a van costs to run. Insurance, tax, servicing, repairs, tyres and finance can make the real figure much higher. HMRC simplified mileage is a tax method, not an estimate of your actual running costs or a guide to what you should charge. If you have not yet chosen a method for this vehicle, you can compare the options with the HMRC simplified expenses checker. Once you use simplified mileage for a vehicle, you normally need to keep using it while that vehicle remains in the business.
This is a simple estimate using your own figures and the latest available UK fuel price, not accounting or tax advice.