Guide

Dealer fees you can push back on

A low price can come right back up through fees. Here's which dealer fees are fixed, which are negotiable, and which you can simply say no to.

Updated November 1, 2026

Same car. Same week. Same region.2023 Honda CR-V Sport

One dealer asks$33,00031,622 mi · Chicago, IL

$7,005 less

Another asks$25,99525,274 mi · Summit, IL

A real example from our Chicago snapshot.See them side by side →

More Honda CR-V deals →

Dealers know shoppers compare sticker prices, so some keep the price low and add fees later. Knowing which fees are real is how you keep a good price good.

Fees you can't avoid

Sales tax: set by your state and county.
Title and registration: set by your state.

These are about the same at every dealer in your state, so they don't change which car is the better deal.

Fees that vary (compare them)

Documentation ("doc") fee: for paperwork. Some states cap it; others don't, and it can run several hundred dollars or more. It's rarely removed, but it's a fair reason to ask for a lower car price.
Destination or delivery: normal on new cars, unusual on used ones. Ask what it's for.

Fees and add-ons you can push back on

Paint and fabric protection
Window etching (VIN etched into the glass)
Nitrogen-filled tires
"Reconditioning," "prep" or "dealer prep" fees: getting the car ready to sell is part of the price.
"Market adjustment" or "additional dealer markup": this is just a higher price.
Pre-installed accessories you didn't ask for

If an add-on is already on the car, you can still ask for it to be removed from the price, or walk away.