Don't Let Dealerships Push These 7 Car Features — You'll Never Use Them
Getting a good deal on a car doesn't end when you agree on a price. Some of the most expensive mistakes happen after the negotiation, in the finance office.
Chris Pyle, an auto expert at JustAnswer, walked us through the most common dealer extras that cost buyers hundreds or even thousands of dollars for things they don't need.
Here are the features you should never, ever let a dealer push on you. They're not worth it and you probably won't even need or use them.
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Paint Protection
This is one of the most common lot add-ons dealers use to bump the sticker price before a car even hits the showroom floor. Pyle said it's a cheap product applied quickly and marked up dramatically. The good news: you can negotiate it out of the deal entirely.
"You get what they claim to have added to the vehicle, but you pay nothing for it," he said.
Interior Fabric Protection
Same idea, different product. A quick spray of fabric guard gets billed as a premium service worth hundreds of dollars. It's not. Push back on it or walk away from it completely during negotiations.
Add-on Alarm Systems
Your car already has anti-theft built in. Dealers sometimes layer a cheap aftermarket system on top and charge for it anyway. Pyle said these systems are often low-quality and can cause more problems than they prevent. Don't pay for it.
Extended Warranties (Bought Too Early)
Once you're in the finance office, an extended warranty will almost certainly come up. Pyle's advice is straightforward: pass on it for now. If your vehicle comes with a bumper-to-bumper warranty that runs three to 10 years, buying an extended warranty on day one means paying for overlapping coverage you don't need yet. Revisit it when the original warranty is actually close to expiring.
Inflated Financing Rates
Pyle said the rate that finance officers quote you may not be the rate the bank actually offered. Coming in with a pre-approved loan from your own bank or credit union gives you a number to compare against. Knowing your credit score before you walk in matters too, since dealers sometimes understate it to make their inflated rate seem like the best available.
Documentation Fees
Doc fees are standard at most dealerships, but the amount is negotiable. Pyle said these often run $300 to $500 and can be reduced or removed with some pushback. Don't treat any line item in the finance office as fixed.
Gap Insurance
Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on a car loan and what the car is actually worth if it gets totaled. It sounds useful, but Pyle said most buyers who put down a reasonable amount and negotiated a fair price don't need it. If your down payment and deal were solid, your loan balance and the car's value will be close enough that a separate policy isn't necessary.
The pattern across all of these is the same: every item in the finance office is a revenue opportunity for the dealership, not a benefit for the buyer. Go in knowing what to decline and you'll leave with a better deal.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.
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