Dealer Fees Exposed: How to Spot and Fight Bogus Charges
From nonsensical add-ons to ballooning 'doc fees,' some dealers are getting more creative than ever with junk charges. Here’s how to protect your wallet from the worst of them.
4 key moments
From nonsensical add-ons to ballooning 'doc fees,' some dealers are getting more creative than ever with junk charges. Here’s how to protect your wallet from the worst of them.
Carvia InsightCarvia InsightDealers sometimes add completely nonsensical pre-installed accessories, like a spray-in bed liner on an SUV. This is a red flag. Always scrutinize the window sticker and buyer's order for add-ons that don't make sense for the vehicle you're considering.
Carvia InsightFees for 'premium tint' or 'nitro fill' in tires are almost always pure profit for the dealer. The air we breathe is 78% nitrogen, and the benefit of a pure fill is negligible for a daily driver. Politely refuse to pay for these items.
Carvia InsightDealer documentation fees are rising, with some states like California proposing massive increases. This fee is not a government tax; it's dealer profit. You likely can't get it removed, so the best strategy is to negotiate the vehicle's price down to offset the fee's cost. Focus on the final, out-the-door price.
Carvia InsightWhen a manufacturer cuts the MSRP on a new model year (like Ford did with the Bronco Raptor), it puts immense pressure on dealers holding older, more expensive inventory. Use a vehicle's time on the lot as a powerful negotiation tool. A car that's been sitting for months costs the dealer money every day.
Carvia InsightAlways negotiate the 'Out-the-Door' (OTD) price. This forces all fees, taxes, and add-ons into one number, preventing last-minute surprises.
Question every single line item on the buyer's order. If a dealer can't clearly explain a charge and its value, you shouldn't pay for it.
Automatically refuse common low-value add-ons. This includes nitrogen tire fills, VIN etching, fabric protection, and overpriced security systems.
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Use a vehicle's time-on-lot as a negotiation lever. The longer a car sits, the more motivated a dealer is to sell it, even at a lower profit.
Treat 'doc fees' as pure dealer profit. While often non-negotiable, you can negotiate the vehicle's sale price down to compensate for an excessive fee.