BYD Seal U DM-i Boost cost to own in the UK — the true 5-year total
The BYD Seal U DM-i Boost starts at £33,205. Over 5 years, owning one (plug-in hybrid) costs about £39,954 in the UK as of August 6, 2026 — £666/month, £0.67/mile — including depreciation, fuel, maintenance, insurance, financing and VED. That's £2,914 more than a comparable Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid over the same 5 years.
BYD Seal U DM-i Boost incentives & grants
UK Electric Car Grant: up to £3,750 off the price of an eligible new EV (RRP ≤ £37,000, applied by the dealer). Shown for reference; not included in the totals above. Source: GOV.UK Electric Car Grant.
BYD Seal U DM-i Boost · UK · 5-year estimate£39,954 total · £666/mo · £0.67/mi
Where the money goes
| Cost component | Plug-in hybrid · BYD Seal U DM-i | Hybrid · Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | £19,923 (50%) | £17,213 (46%) |
| Charging / fuel | £8,551 (21%) | £8,294 (22%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | — | — |
| Maintenance | £2,100 (5%) | £1,998 (5%) |
| Insurance | £2,700 (7%) | £2,625 (7%) |
| Financing interest | £5,681 (14%) | £5,910 (16%) |
| Registration & fees | £1,000 (3%) | £1,000 (3%) |
| Total cost of ownership | £39,954 | £37,040 |
BYD Seal U DM-i Boost specs & assumptions
- Starting price (RRP)
- £33,205manufacturer
- Powertrain
- Plug-in hybrid
- Efficiency
- 43.5 mpgWLTP
- Range
- 50 miWLTP
- UK electricity
- 26.11p/kWhOfgem
- Annual miles (assumed)
- 12,000UK average
Compare the BYD Seal U DM-i Boost against any car, your mileage & your scenario
What the numbers say
The BYD Seal U DM-i Boost costs about £39,954 to own over 5 years in the UK — £666/month, £0.67/mi at 12,000 mi/yr — and depreciation is the biggest line: £19,923, 50% of the total (as of August 6, 2026).
- The Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid holds a slim £2,914 lead over 5 years — a close result, but a real one at these rates and distances.
- Where the BYD Seal U DM-i Boost's £39,954 actually goes: depreciation £19,923 (50%), petrol £8,551 (21%), financing interest £5,681 (14%), insurance £2,700 (7%), maintenance £2,100 (5%), registration & fees £1,000 (3%).
- Per mile, that is £0.33 of depreciation and £0.14 of petrol, with £0.19 for everything else — £0.67/mile all-in.
- Petrol vs the fleet: at £8,551 over 5 years the BYD Seal U DM-i Boost sits within £257 of the £8,294 median for the 26 petrol and hybrid models we price — nothing unusual either way.
What we assume for maintenance
Assumed £420/yr for a plug-in hybrid at 12,000 mi/yr — about £2,100 of the 5-year total above. On this market's assumptions an EV runs about £150/yr less in maintenance than a petrol car (£300 vs £450). See the methodology for sources; adjustable in the calculator.