Dealer Charging
Junk Fees?
With the exception of sales tax and DMV registration, every other fee on a car deal goes to the dealer — and you can challenge any suspicious fee by asking them to show an invoice proving it goes to someone other than them.
"Ask the dealer to show you an invoice proving any fee goes to someone other than them. If they can't produce it — the fee is invented."
— Consumer Reports, April 2026 / FTC Enforcement Guidance
Every Fee — Decoded
Here's exactly which fees to pay, negotiate, or refuse — with the word-for-word script for each one.
Say This to the Dealer:
"I won't pay a market adjustment. That's not a real fee — it goes directly to the dealer. Please remove it or I'll find another dealer."
Say This to the Dealer:
"I can buy a VIN etching kit for $20 at AutoZone. Please remove this from my deal."
Say This to the Dealer:
"I decline all protection packages. Please remove them from the contract."
Say This to the Dealer:
"Regular air is 78% nitrogen. I won't pay for this. Please remove it."
Say This to the Dealer:
"Your advertising costs are your business expense, not mine. Please remove this fee."
Say This to the Dealer:
"What is your state's maximum doc fee? I'll pay the state cap, not a dollar more."
Say This to the Dealer:
"This car should be ready to sell. I'll pay $100 max for prep — please adjust the fee."
This is a government fee. You must pay it.
This is a government fee. You must pay it.
How Deal Defender Works
Three steps. 30 seconds. Never overpay again.
Upload your quote or paste a link
Take a photo of the window sticker, buyer's order, or paste the dealer listing URL. Our AI reads everything.
Get your fee breakdown in 30 seconds
Every fee is classified: Pay, Negotiate, or Refuse. You see exactly which ones are junk and which are legitimate.
Use your word-for-word script
We write the exact words to say to the dealer for every junk fee. No guessing, no awkward silence — just results.
Welcome to Deal Defender!
Search live dealer inventory, analyze any car deal with AI, decode every fee, and walk in with a counter-offer. Let us show you around — it only takes 60 seconds.