Aug 11, 2019

When it comes to buying a new car, the price a person sees in the window may not be the price they end up paying. This can lead them to believe that the Ford dealer in Costa Mesa was being untruthful with them and upset them that they will end up paying more than they thought, but this is usually not the seller’s intention.

When it comes to car buying fees, there are some that are required and some that can be negotiated. Knowing what to expect ahead of time will help reduce the sticker shock a person might feel when getting a Ford Edge in Costa Mesa, and it may help them figure out their budget before heading down to the lot.

Every state is different, so all of these fees may not apply. However, some of the most common fees that may occur when buying a car are listed below.

Vehicle Registration Fees

The amount a person will have to pay for this fee will vary from state to state. However, this is a fee that buyers will be expected to pay. In essence, the vehicle registration fee is the amount the state requires for the car to be registered and drive legally on the road. It often includes the price of the license plate and title assignment.

In most cases, the cost of the vehicle registration fee will depend on the price of the Ford Mustang in Costa Mesa. The more the car costs, the higher the registration fee will be. These fees are required and nonnegotiable. For a person to drive legally on the road, they will have to pay this fee.

Sales Tax

All states are different, so sales tax on a vehicle will vary from state to state. To know exactly what percentage a person will be required to pay, they may consider getting in contact with the DMV or treasurer’s office. Like the vehicle registration fee, sales tax is usually non negotiable. To be able to drive legally, a person will have to pay this fee.

However, there may be some leeway when this fee is due. Some states may require that it be paid when a person registers their vehicle, but others may give them more time. This fee may also be able to be rolled into the loan, which means that as a person makes their monthly payment, part of the money will go toward this fee.

Talking to the office that deals with the state tax is the best way for a person to know what their options are. It will also give them an idea of how much car they can afford and how much they’ll need to save up to pay for this fee.

Trade-in Tax

In some states, if a trade-in is used to buy a new car, the amount that the lot gives the person can be deducted from the purchase price of the new vehicle. This can be incredibly beneficial and help reduce the amount of sales tax that a person pays on their new car.

For example, if a person buys a new car for $20,000, but they get $5,000 for their trade in, the difference between the two is $15,000. This is the amount that will be taxed. This means that the tax fees will be cheaper, and that can make them more affordable.

Document Fees

This is an incredibly common charge with car lots. It is used to cover the costs of the sales professionals doing the person’s paperwork. The fee can vary from place to place, and it may be as low as $50 or as high as $700. In some states, there is a maximum amount that the lot can charge. Sometimes, this fee won’t be brought up until a person is signing the paperwork.

This fee is one that may be negotiable. A person may be able to get out of paying the document fees, but they may not. However, knowing that they exist and will more than likely show up on a person’s paperwork will help them prepare and be ready so they aren’t shocked when it happens.

Dealer Fees

In some places, the dealer might try to add some extra fees into their documents so that they can make more money. Some of these may be legitimate, and some of them may not. In most cases, when dealing with a place that is legitimate, a person will not encounter these issues. However, if they have any questions about the fees that appear on their paperwork, they need to ask.

One of the fees that might show up includes an advertising fee. Now, this can be a completely legitimate fee, especially if the vehicle lists this fee on the invoice. If that happens, then the buyer is obligated to pay this fee. If the seller tries to sneak in another advertising fee, the buyer may not be required to pay it.

In most states or regions, a lot of car lots will have the same types of fees because they all have incurred the same costs. Passing these fees onto the buyer doesn’t necessarily make them shady people to work with. They have to make money to stay in business. Again, if a person has any questions about the fees, they need to ask before they sign the paperwork to buy the car.

With these type of fees, a person may be able to negotiate whether or not they actually have to pay them. This could definitely work in their benefit when it comes to getting a car they can afford. Going through the paperwork line by line and asking any questions can be beneficial in ensuring that a person doesn’t pay more than necessary in fees.

It can be shocking and upsetting for a person to find out that the price of the vehicle is not the price they will actually pay. However, knowing that fees exist before a person starts the shopping process can help them find a car that will work for them and their budget. It will also give them an idea of what they can negotiate and what they can’t.