Dealer fees › Dealer add-on package
Dealer add-on package: do you have to pay it?
Verdict: Junk. A pre-installed bundle you didn't ask for. You don't have to pay for it, even if the dealer says it's already on the car.
What it is
A bundle of dealer add-ons sold at one price on the addendum sticker: commonly nitrogen, VIN etching, paint or fabric protection, wheel locks, tint or a tracker.
Also shows up as: Dealer add-on package, Protection package, Value package, Dealer-installed options, Addendum package, Pre-installed accessories.
Why it's junk
- FTC staff say dealers can't suggest an add-on is required when it's optional, imply an installed option can't be removed so you must pay for it, or charge for options you didn't agree to (FTC).
- In one case, the FTC says as many as 75% of Asbury Automotive's buyers reported add-ons tacked onto their sales contracts, either secretly or by being told they were required (FTC).
- Consumer Reports: if you didn't ask for an add-on, you don't have to pay for it, even if the car already has it (Consumer Reports).
How to get it removed
- Ask for the addendum sticker and an itemized out-the-door price before you negotiate.
- Decline the package as a whole. Don't negotiate it piece by piece.
- If the dealer says it's mandatory, ask for that in writing, then shop the same car at another dealer.
- Check the final contract and financing paperwork: the FTC advises making sure it only lists add-ons you agreed to.
Copy-paste script:
"I'm not buying the add-on package. I didn't ask for any of it, and installed or not, I won't pay for it. Please send me an updated out-the-door price with that line removed, and I can move forward today."
Is this fee on your quote? Snap or paste the quote and our free scan marks every line legit, negotiable or junk in seconds. Want an expert to check the whole deal? $19, money back if we find nothing useful.
How TrustBuy flags it
Our free scan and the $19 report use the same rules as this page: a dealer add-on package line is marked Junk (ask for it to be removed). Rule note: Pre-installed bundle you didn't ask for; you don't have to pay for it.
FAQ
Can a dealer force me to buy an add-on package?
FTC staff say dealers can't present optional add-ons as required or imply installed options must be paid for. If a dealer insists, get it in writing and shop elsewhere.
What's usually in a dealer add-on package?
Common items are nitrogen tires, VIN etching, paint and fabric protection, wheel locks, window tint and GPS trackers. Each has its own guide on this site.
What if I already signed?
Some products (like service contracts and GAP) can often be cancelled for a partial refund; check the contract. If add-ons were added without your agreement, the FTC asks consumers to report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Related
Other fees: Nitrogen tire fill · Paint & fabric protection · VIN etching · all dealer fees
Doc fees by state: California · Texas · Florida · New York · Pennsylvania · Illinois · all states
Tools: Out-the-door price calculator · Free quote scan · Compare: TrustBuy vs CarEdge · vs Carfax
Sources
- FTC, Automobile Industry Pricing Transparency: FAQs
- FTC, Car dealerships can't charge you for add-ons you don't want
- Consumer Reports, Just Say No to These Car Dealership Extras (updated April 2026)
Checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Prices are examples from the cited sources and vary by dealer and state.