Dealer fees › Wheel locks & accessories
Wheel locks, pinstripes and other dealer accessories: should you pay?
Verdict: Junk. Low-cost accessories marked up on the addendum. Refuse anything you didn't ask for.
What it is
Small accessories the dealer adds to cars on the lot and lists on an addendum sticker: locking lug nuts, door edge guards, splash guards, pinstripes, and sometimes extra floor mats.
Also shows up as: Wheel locks, Locking lug nuts, Door edge guards, Mud flaps, Pinstripes, Floor mats (dealer-added).
What it typically costs
- Dealer-added items like these can pad the price by hundreds of dollars or more before financing (Consumer Reports).
Why it's junk
- Consumer Reports: unless you specifically asked for something, refuse to pay for it; the car should be ready to go when it arrives from the factory (Consumer Reports).
- FTC staff say a dealer can't imply that an installed option can't be removed and must be paid for (FTC).
- Make sure the car comes with floor mats, the window sticker, two keys and the owner's manual. Those shouldn't be extra charges.
How to get it removed
- Read the addendum sticker next to the factory window sticker.
- Decline each accessory you didn't ask for.
- If something's already installed and you'd keep it, offer a small amount or ask for it free.
- Confirm the final out-the-door price no longer includes them.
Copy-paste script:
"I'm not paying for the wheel locks, edge guards or pinstripes. I didn't ask for them. 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 wheel locks & accessories line is marked Junk (ask for it to be removed). Rule note: Low-cost items marked up.
FAQ
Do I need wheel locks?
Most buyers don't. If you want them, compare the price at an auto parts store before paying the dealer's price.
What's an addendum sticker?
A second sticker the dealer puts next to the factory window sticker, listing its own add-ons and markups. Everything on it is the dealer's price, not the manufacturer's.
Can I keep the accessories without paying?
Sometimes. If they're already installed, ask the dealer to include them at no charge to close the deal.
Related
Other fees: Dealer add-on package · Theft protection / LoJack · Window tint · 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
- Consumer Reports, Just Say No to These Car Dealership Extras (updated April 2026)
- FTC, Automobile Industry Pricing Transparency: FAQs
Checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Prices are examples from the cited sources and vary by dealer and state.