Dealer add-ons and junk fees
Dealer add-ons are products and services the dealer adds to the price: paint and fabric protection, nitrogen-filled tires, VIN etching, anti-theft packages, service contracts, GAP, and “market adjustments.” They are not government fees, and they are the most common reason one dealer’s out-the-door price is higher than another’s for the same car.
The Federal Trade Commission’s consumer guidance on buying a car tells buyers to watch add-ons and to get the out-the-door price in writing. Read it at consumer.ftc.gov/articles/buying-new-car. The FTC’s CARS Rule was vacated in 2025, so this site does not cite that rule as being in force.
Add-ons and junk fees to question before you sign
- Nitrogen tire fill
- VIN etching
- Paint protection
- Fabric protection
- Theft deterrent
- Wheel locks
- Window tint
- Door-edge guards
- Protection package
- Dealer prep
- Reconditioning
- Admin fee
- Electronic filing fee
- Service contract / extended warranty
- GAP
- Maintenance plan
- Tire and wheel protection
- Market adjustment (ADM)
How to spot them on a quote
- Pre-installed packages printed on a second window sticker next to the factory sticker.
- Vague fee names such as “dealer prep,” “admin,” “protection,” or “reconditioning” on a new car.
- A “government fees” line that is larger than your state’s title and registration charges. Compare it with your state page’s figures.
- Finance products (service contract, GAP, tire and wheel) added in the finance office after you agreed on a price.
- Market adjustment or “additional dealer markup,” which is simply a higher price.
What to ask
Ask the dealer to identify which lines are government fees and which are dealer products. Ask to remove any product you did not ask for, and ask for a new buyer’s order with a single out-the-door total. If they say a product is required by the lender or the state, ask them to point to the written requirement. Nitrogen, etching, and appearance packages are dealer products, not title or registration fees.
If a dealer won’t remove a pre-installed item, negotiate its price down or ask for an equal discount on the car. Get every dealer’s offer as a written out-the-door number; see is the out the door price negotiable.
Check the total
Use the out the door price calculator to see what the total should be with only tax, government fees, and the doc fee. Anything above that is add-ons or price, and all of it is negotiable. Paste the quote into the quote checker to see each line flagged.
Estimates from official sources as of October 24, 2026; not legal or tax advice; confirm with your DMV.