10 States Where Dealers Charge the Most Fees When You Buy a Used Car
For most consumers, the main point of buying a used car is to save money off the cost of a new one. The average transaction price for new cars was $48,510 as of April 2024, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Be Aware: 5 Japanese Cars To Stay Away From Buying
Try This: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy
In contrast, AutoBlog reports that average used car prices in April were $28,600. Despite the differences, many of the same rules apply when negotiating used and new car prices — including keeping an eye on dealer fees.
Common Fees
As LendingTree noted in a recent blog, some used car dealer fees you can’t avoid. These include title, tax and license fees as well as inspection/emission fees. You’ll also have to pay sales taxes on used car purchases in most states.
But some fees might be open to negotiation. Here’s a rundown:
Documentation fee: This fee is typically charged when the dealer pulls paperwork together for your transaction, but there might be wiggle room to remove it or lower it.