How the numbers work
Clear assumptions make better decisions. This is the math behind our current tools—and the data we do not yet have.
01 / Loan payment estimates
For an amortizing loan with principal P, monthly rate r = APR/1200, and term n months, payment is estimated as P × r / (1 − (1+r)−n). When APR is zero, payment is P/n. The calculation excludes lender-specific fees, simple-interest daily accrual differences, optional products, taxes and charges not entered.
02 / Vehicle equity
Basic equity is estimated vehicle value minus payoff amount. A value entered by a user is not a certified appraisal or binding buyer offer. Dealer trade value and private sale value may differ substantially. For leased vehicles, third-party buyouts, disposition charges, taxes, purchase options and early-termination rules may make a simple equity estimate misleading; our detailed paid lease comparison is restricted until terms can be verified.
03 / Keep, trade and sell scenarios
The Decision Report compares modeled financial outcomes over a chosen time period using user-entered costs, payoffs, values, depreciation assumptions and financing terms. It also offers a sell-without-replacement scenario based on alternative transportation costs. These outcomes are scenario models, not predictions, and a “cheaper” option may be unsuitable for practical reasons not included in the calculator.
04 / Operating expenses
Ownership budget tools let you enter insurance, fuel or charging, maintenance, registration, payment and other expenses. These are user inputs, not live insurance quotes, repair forecasts or actual mileage measurements. Make sure categories do not double-count loan interest, fees or taxes.
05 / What is not connected yet
Carvumi does not currently provide a verified live market valuation feed, historical transaction-level vehicle prices, lender preapprovals, real-time quotes, insurance underwriting, VIN-based vehicle history reports or automatic dealer listing ingestion. Features and partnerships in development will be labeled as such; we will identify suppliers, timestamps, coverage and confidence ranges before describing third-party data as live.
06 / Independent decisions
Carvumi is not affiliated with CARFAX, CarGurus, automakers or any dealership merely because we discuss vehicles. If referral relationships or sponsored listings are ever introduced, we intend to distinguish those clearly from independent comparisons. Do not use the Service as your only basis for a purchase or financing commitment.