Deal check
Dealer add-ons and the out-the-door price
An advertised price is not necessarily the amount required to take the car home. A written, itemized out-the-door price makes dealer fees and add-ons visible before time pressure sets in.
The short answer
Ask for the out-the-door price in writing, with every charge itemized. Confirm the advertised discount applies to you, identify optional products, and keep the vehicle price separate from financing, trade, and cash down.
Ask before visiting when possible
The FTC recommends confirming that the vehicle is actually available and requesting the out-the-door price in writing. A written total helps compare offers and spot last-minute changes.
Common items to identify
- Documentation, inspection, certification, or reconditioning fees.
- Dealer accessories, theft trackers, protection packages, tint, nitrogen, wheel locks, or VIN etching.
- Service contracts, prepaid maintenance, tire-and-wheel coverage, or GAP products.
- Discounts or rebates that require eligibility, trade-in, loyalty, military status, financing, or another condition.
Questions that keep the worksheet honest
- Is this item required by law, required by the lender, already installed, or optional?
- What is the exact price of each product, and what do I receive?
- Does removing it change the advertised discount or financing terms?
- Can you send a revised itemized out-the-door quote in writing?
Compare like with like
Evaluate the purchase price before trade and down payment. Then compare financing separately. This makes it harder for a favorable number in one part of the deal to hide an unfavorable number elsewhere.
Common questions
Are dealer add-ons always illegal?+
No. Many are optional products that a buyer may choose. The important questions are whether you knowingly agreed, what each item costs, what it provides, and whether any price or financing condition depends on it. Deal flags should identify discrepancies and questions, not make unsupported legal conclusions.
Does out-the-door price include financing interest?+
Generally it refers to the purchase total including charges and fees, not the interest paid over the life of a loan. Review financing disclosures separately, including APR, finance charge, and total of payments.
Official references
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