
After purchasing a car, additional costs include purchase tax, insurance fees, and license plate registration fees. Purchase Tax: It is 10% of the car's ex-factory price, but some cars may have a purchase tax rate of only 5%. Different engine displacement models may also have varying purchase tax rates. Insurance Fees: Required insurances include compulsory traffic insurance, vehicle damage insurance, third-party liability insurance, passenger liability insurance, and no-deductible insurance. License Plate Registration Fees: Fees incurred during the license plate registration process. Purpose of Insurances: Compulsory traffic insurance is primarily designed to protect the rights of victims in traffic accidents and is mandatory by the state; vehicle damage insurance mainly compensates for the loss of the vehicle in traffic accidents; third-party liability insurance primarily covers bodily death and property loss of third parties in traffic accidents; passenger liability insurance mainly safeguards the bodily injuries of passengers and the driver in the vehicle; no-deductible insurance ensures that the insurance company covers the compensation costs the car owner would otherwise have to pay in traffic accidents.

After buying a car, I still need to prepare for a series of follow-up expenses. The purchase tax is the primary one, usually 10% of the car price, and must be paid in full when registering the vehicle. Compulsory traffic insurance is a must every year, with a fixed cost of a few hundred yuan—not having it is illegal. The vehicle and vessel tax is charged based on engine displacement, costing a few hundred yuan annually. Commercial insurance is recommended, including third-party liability insurance and vehicle damage insurance, costing a few thousand yuan annually for peace of mind. Regular inspection fees are necessary—new cars require inspection every two years for the first six years, then annually thereafter, costing a few hundred yuan each time to avoid fines. Maintenance is essential, with oil and filter changes every 5,000 or 10,000 kilometers costing a few hundred yuan, and tire and brake checks cannot be skipped. Add daily parking, fuel, tolls, and other expenses—planning these costs ensures worry-free driving. In short, buying a car is just the beginning; ongoing expenses require continuous and prudent planning.

As a new driver who just got my license, I quickly discovered a pile of additional costs after buying a car. The purchase tax is about 10% of the car price and must be paid in full when registering the vehicle. Compulsory traffic insurance is a fixed annual fee, and driving without it leads to fines and difficulties on the road. The vehicle and vessel tax is an annual fee based on engine displacement, costing a few hundred yuan. For commercial insurance, I chose basic coverage to mitigate risks. The annual inspection fee is paid regularly—new cars require it every two years initially, then annually, costing a few hundred each time. Maintenance, including oil changes every six months to ensure safety, also costs a few hundred. Fuel is a significant daily expense and must be included in the monthly budget. Parking, whether rented or irregular, adds up over time. These expenses need to be reasonably allocated to avoid financial strain, so a comprehensive budget is essential.

Smart budgeting for car ownership. One-time handling of purchase tax. Annual insurance must include compulsory traffic insurance for peace of mind, with slight adjustments to vehicle and vessel tax. Choose cost-effective commercial insurance to cover risks with minimal expense. Pay regular inspection fees on time to avoid penalties. Schedule maintenance, change oil yourself to save money. Include daily parking and fuel costs in overall accounting. Establish a car fund by saving monthly to handle expenses calmly and control spending wisely without waste.


