How Much Are Dealer Fees on a Used Car

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Money-Saving Guide: How Much Are Dealer Fees on a Used Car?

Buying a used car can help you save money, but dealer fees can make you pay more than you expect. How much are dealer fees on a used car? This guide will help you navigate dealer fees and learn how to avoid them.

Knowing what dealer fees to expect can help you budget for buying your car pre-owned. If you didn't expect to pay dealer fees on your next used car, you may be asking, "?" and "Are dealer fees negotiable?" You should expect to see dealer fees on a used car, but they are negotiable and can even be waived in some instances. We will explain how to get lower used car dealer fees or use DoNotPay to waive the fees.

DoNotPay can also help you appeal or waive many other fees, including eBay fees, Etsy fees, and HOA fees.

What Are Dealer Fees on a Used Car?

Used car dealer fees may be unexpected and can add up. ? Here are the dealer fees you can expect on your next used car purchase:

Dealer Warranties And Additional ServicesVaries
Documentation FeesVaries
Delivery Fee$1,200 - $2,000
Destination Fee$800 - $1,700
Registration$8 - $225 (Some states use weight or age-based calculation)
InsuranceVaries
Inspection$0 - $140
Tax0% - 8.25%
Title$0 - $164.50

Fees vary greatly depending on the state you are buying and registering the car in. On average, Georgia has some of the highest used car dealer fees at approximately $5,000, and Oregon has some of the lowest at just under $300. In most states, you can expect to pay somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 in dealer fees. Luckily, some of these fees can be negotiated.

How to Waive Dealer Fees on Your Own

While some dealer fees are set in stone, others can be negotiated and even waived with the right approach.

How to Negotiate the Dealer Warranty and Services

Perhaps the easiest fee to negotiate when you buy a used car is the dealer's warranty and additional services like seasonal maintenance or car washes. These fees are a major bargaining chip for negotiating the overall car price. Here are some strategies to negotiate warranty and add-on service fees:

  • Bundle add-on packages or upgrade the warranty package in exchange for a discount on the car.
  • The dealer will try to upsell you on the warranty, but it may not cover major technical issues. Point out the warranty's shortcomings and ask for a lower price or a discounted upgrade.
  • Don't agree to buy warranties and services you will not use. If the dealer includes unneeded services on your total bill, ask the dealer to remove them.

How to Negotiate Dealer Documentation and Delivery Fees

Documentation fees are also possible to negotiate. Documentation fees can include various fees that may not all be necessary. The following steps will help you reduce documentation fees:

  1. Ask the dealer what is included in the documentation fees. Dealers often roll up administrative fees, inventory fees, credit report checks, and employment checks with registration and inspection fees.
  2. Request the dealer to remove unnecessary fees like employment and credit report checks.
  3. Compare the documentation fee to other local dealers and ask the dealer to match the price of a competitor.

Dealers sometimes combine the non-negotiable destination fee and the delivery fee. The destination fee is a mandatory charge the dealer pays to have the car delivered from the manufacturer. However, the dealer can inflate the price you pay many times by adding the marked-up delivery fee. Always ask the dealer for a lower delivery fee, especially if it is included in the destination fee. DoNotPay can help you appeal fees from the comfort of a mobile app or web browser. We send a letter to the dealer on your behalf to negotiate fees.

How to Negotiate State DMV Fees and Tax

While dealers typically cannot negotiate state fees such as DMV fees and tax, you may negotiate the dealer's exclusive fees. Before purchasing a used car, do your homework and find the cost of the state tax, plates, registration, and inspection. You can ensure the dealer is giving you the right price. DoNotPay can help you ensure you do not overpay DMV fees for your state.

Appeal Dealer Fees on a Used Car With DoNotPay

Taking the opportunity to negotiate dealer fees is critical to getting the best price on your used car. It can be difficult to negotiate dealer fees on a used car, especially if you are not well versed in negotiation. DoNotPay can help you appeal dealer fees quickly and conveniently.

Here's how you can use DoNotPay to appeal fees:

  1. Search "appeal fees" on DoNotPay, choose the Fight and Waive Fees product, and select the type of fee you want to appeal.
  2. Select the merchant you want to appeal fees for and enter the details of your transaction, including an associated account if you have one.
  3. Submit your case! DoNotPay will generate the best argument for your case and make sure your fee waiver request gets sent to the merchant for processing.

Waive and Appeal Fees With DoNotPay

DoNotPay allows you to conveniently waive or appeal fees from our mobile app or website. DoNotPay helps you to save money by appealing the following:

Sign up for DoNotPay and start saving money on unnecessary fees today.

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