Dealer Add-Ons

Dealer add-ons are additional products, services, or accessories that dealerships offer to buyers during the vehicle purchase process. These can include extended warranties, service contracts, paint or fabric protection, window tinting, rustproofing, wheel locks, and aftermarket electronics.

While some add-ons may provide value, many are highly marked up compared to third-party alternatives. Dealers often promote add-ons at the finance office stage of the purchase, sometimes bundling them into financing, which increases the total loan cost and interest paid.

Buyers should carefully evaluate whether the add-ons are necessary and if they can be sourced more affordably elsewhere. Negotiating or declining unwanted add-ons can save significant money.

Understanding dealer add-ons helps buyers separate essential services from profit-driven extras and avoid overpaying. Ultimately, consumers should only accept add-ons that provide clear value, such as extended coverage they genuinely plan to use.