Buying a new car is never easy, as it can be overwhelming and complicated. Worse still, prices often seem to rise unexpectedly as negotiations drag on, usually due to the sneaky additions of car dealerships. To avoid being caught off guard by these unnecessary add-ons, here are 20 useless products car dealerships will try to sell you.
Registration Etching
As Consumer Reports points out, engraving your car’s registration or identification number into the windows can be a theft deterrent. However, it’s often overpriced at dealerships and can be done yourself for much less. Dealers may even be required by law to offer it, but you aren’t required to take it, and if it was pre-etched, you can say no to paying for it.
Nitrogen-Filled Tires
Nitrogen-filled tires are a trending upsell. Your dealer will probably tell you they’re less susceptible to temperature-based pressure expansion and reduction. They also claim to bleed from your tires more slowly than regular air. Most research shows it makes almost no difference in real-world conditions.
Paint Protection
Dealerships often charge a premium for paint protection plans, but modern car paints are typically durable enough to withstand the elements without additional protection. Paint protection can cost several hundred pounds and it’s rarely worth the expense. Wash your car regularly, especially after driving through snow, and your paint will last the life of your car in almost all conditions.
Fabric Protection
Similar to paint protection, fabric protection is often an unnecessary add-on since many cars come with factory-applied fabric protection. For those who need extra protection because they have a dog or children, spend a few bucks on a bottle of spray-on Scotchgard, which is essentially what the dealer is offering anyway.
Key Replacement Insurance
Our keys are no longer a simple piece of metal, making things more complicated if you lose them. Replacing sophisticated key systems can cost hundreds of pounds, which your car insurance is likely not to cover, according to Yahoo! Finance. Your car dealer knows this expense can make people nervous but the odds of losing your key are not worth the price of the insurance.
Windshield Insurance
Many companies offer windshield insurance coverage to car dealers to sell to their customers at a markup and advertise “maximizing your profits” on their websites. Windshields do break, which can be expensive. However, resins can fix the most cracks, and windshields rarely have to be replaced. Budgeting for repairs like broken windshields rather than handing over money to your dealer for a service you’ll likely never need is a smarter option.
Extended Warranties
These can be costly and may not be necessary, given the comprehensive coverage that comes with new cars. Extended warranties are designed to stretch your coverage beyond the expiration of your bumper-to-bumper warranty, usually three years or 36,000 miles. However, they often have many exclusions and most people never end up using them because they cost more than just paying for repairs.
Roof-Rack Accessories
When buying a car, especially if you intend on using it to carry things, it can seem easier and more efficient to buy roof racks and such while at the dealership. However, factory crossbars and roof-rack accessories are typically more expensive than aftermarket options. Aftermarket options are also more flexible to use on your next vehicle as opposed to dealership options that are vehicle-specific.
Rustproofing and Undercoating
“Protective” coatings are sold as a way to prevent underbody rust. It can cost around £750 for rustproofing at the dealership for an unnecessary service. New vehicles already come with the protection you need to last for at least a decade, as long as you regularly clean your vehicle.
Dealer-Installed Accessories
These can include items like alarms, which are often already installed. In many cases, car dealerships install alarms to prevent theft on the dealership lot, which means they’re already installed in the car. Upsell allows them to sell cheap alarms and trackers at a premium and charge you for installation instead of uninstalling them before you leave.
Upgraded Floor Mats
Regular floor mats often come standard from the factory. Some people may ask to have those removed for a discount, which the dealership can’t do, but that won’t stop them from upgrading to a more rugged version at the cost of hundreds of pounds extra. You can choose to get custom all-weather floor mats for the same price or order generic ones for less than £100.
Mudflaps
Passenger cars don’t need mudflaps. Those who have them often find that they catch and trap sand and salt, causing more corrosion than they’re designed to prevent. Your state may require them on SUVs or standard trucks, which you can check before letting a dealer explain why you can’t go without them.
Boot Trays
Boot trays are form-fitting rubberized cargo liners for your boot or the back of your hatchback or SUV. They protect against spills, upholstery tears, and other damage, and are honestly a good idea. But make sure you shop around, because you can always find better deals outside the dealership.
Credit Life Insurance
Your dealer might try to talk to you about credit insurance, which could be credit disability insurance, involuntary unemployment insurance, or credit property insurance. They all do the same thing: continue making your car payments if you lose your job, become disabled, or die. If you think it’s right for you, you’ll do better buying through your insurance company.
Pinstriping and Other Embellishments
A pricey and common dealer add-on is “appearance packages,” which often take the form of pinstriping or some other graphic design. These are often designed to look like they came from the factory, but many used car dealers pre-add them and then hike up the price.
Wheel and Tire Warranty
Most tires come with inclusive warranties and even if they don’t, your insurance probably covers them. If they don’t, the cost of a standard new tire isn’t particularly high when you factor in the £40 you didn’t spend on unnecessary protection.
Maintenance Packages
These can be a good idea, and convenient. Dealerships know that if you get all your service done through them and they’re doing a good job, you’re more likely to come back to them for your next car. The problem is that buying a car is a ton of information to process on its own. Ask for the details in writing, and take a few days to look it over and decide if it’s worth it.
Gap Insurance
Guaranteed asset protection (GAP) insurance is designed so that if you total a car shortly after financing it, your insurance company will compensate you for the value of the car, which has already depreciated and is often less than what you owe on the loan. GAP coverage is designed to fill that gap. Check with your insurance company to see if they offer GAP insurance; with the dealer, you’ll wind up dealing with an unfamiliar company.
Dealer Preparation Fee
This fee for preparing the car for delivery is often negotiable and can sometimes be eliminated. This includes washing the car, removing the “bump protectors” from the doors, or disposing of the protective coverings for the seats or floor. This can cost hundreds of extra pounds for something that should be a courtesy.
Advertising Fee
This is a cost that dealers sometimes include to cover their advertising expenses. The cost can be quite high, depending on the dealer, and can be up to £1,000. This fee is not something the buyer should be responsible for, as their advertising got you in the door, and that should be enough.