Everything on your contract — every add-on, every fee, every government charge — is in the table below. The Quick Decision Checklist gives you the one-line verdict on all 29 items. Click any row to open the full card: what it is, what it actually costs, and exactly what to say.
Quick Decision Checklist — All 29 Items at a Glance
Finance office cheat sheet · Click any product name to open its full card below
| Product | Badge | One-line verdict |
|---|---|---|
| F&I Add-On Products | ||
| GAP Insurance | Common | Buy through your own insurer — same coverage, fraction of the price. |
| Extended Warranty / VSC | Negotiable | Only consider manufacturer-backed plans. Third-party VSCs have poor claim records. |
| Prepaid Maintenance | Negotiable | Do the math: plan cost ÷ services = your breakeven. Most buyers lose money. |
| Tire & Wheel Protection | Negotiate | If you want it, negotiate hard. Independent tire shops are cheaper for one-off repairs. |
| Dent & Ding Protection | Avoid | Independent PDR shops charge $75–$300/incident. Dealer plan rarely pays off. |
| Windshield Protection | Skip | Auto insurance comp covers most glass. Safelite SafePlan is cheaper if you want a supplement. |
| Key Replacement | Skip | Homeowner's insurance or credit card may already cover it. Aftermarket fobs cost $70–$180. |
| Credit Life Insurance | Skip | Term life through an independent insurer is 3–5× cheaper and protects your whole family, not just the loan. |
| Credit Disability Insurance | Skip | Fine print kills claims. Check employer STD coverage first. Standalone disability is far better value. |
| Theft Protection / GPS | Skip | DIY tracker (AirTag $29, Bouncie $68) does more than dealer GPS at 10% of the cost. |
| VIN Etching | Skip | $18 DIY kit from Amazon. Dealer charges $200–$400 for the same result. |
| Paint Protection / Appearance Pkg | Avoid | Dealer sealant lasts 6–24 months. Pro ceramic coating ($700–$1,700) is worth it — but not from the F&I office. |
| Rustproofing / Undercoating | Avoid | Modern cars have factory rust-through warranties. Electronic modules have no peer-reviewed evidence. |
| Nitrogen Tire Inflation | Skip | No measurable benefit over free air. Buy a $10 tire gauge and check monthly instead. |
| Accessories Package | Avoid | Demand itemization. Remove by name or use as a closing leverage chip on the selling price. |
| Pulse Brake Light Module | Avoid | Likely violates FMVSS 108 (flashing brake lights required to be steady). Demand removal in writing. |
| Excess Wear & Tear | Negotiable | Lease buyers only. Check if your credit card already covers it. Buying? Skip entirely. |
| Dealer Fees | ||
| Documentation Fee | Common | Real fee, real markup. Use it as selling-price leverage: "What can you do on the vehicle price to offset the doc fee?" |
| Dealer Prep / PDI Fee | Negotiable | Manufacturer reimburses the dealer for PDI. The fee on your contract is extra margin — push back. |
| Advertising Fee | Negotiable | Ask for documentation. If legitimate, offset against selling price. If vague, push for removal. |
| Market Adjustment / ADM | Avoid | Email 3–5 dealers for OTD quotes before you walk in. Competing quotes eliminate ADMs before negotiation starts. |
| Reconditioning Fee | Avoid | Used/CPO only. Recon cost is already in the retail price — charging it again is double-dipping. |
| E-Filing Fee | Negotiable | Actual state DMV e-filing cost is $5–$15. Stack with other fee asks for one combined OTD reduction. |
| Government & Tax Fees — Set by Law, Not Negotiable | ||
| Sales Tax | Required | Lower selling price = lower tax. Trade-in credit reduces taxable amount in most states. |
| Title Fee | Required | Fixed by state law. $15–$150 depending on state. Not set by the dealer. |
| Registration Fee | Required | State-mandated. Look up your state's fee calculator to preview before signing. |
| License Plate Fee | Required | Transfer existing plates — usually $5–$20 cheaper than new plates. |
| Emissions / Safety Inspection | Required | Only applies where your state/county mandates it. New vehicles often exempt for 1–5 years. |
| Temporary Tags | Required | Nominal ($5–$25). Keep visible until permanent plates arrive. Transfer plates to skip temp tags. |
