AI-assisted source summary. Read the scope and exceptions, then follow the original documents below.
Applies to
United States · dealership purchases and financing
Time context
FTC consumer guidance checked October 20, 2026
Sources checked
Consumer comparison guidance, not a claim that all add-ons are useless or that one new rule bans every fee. Insurance requirements and contracts vary.
Optional products are separate purchases
The FTC lists products such as rustproofing, fabric protection and service contracts as add-ons that increase the bill. Its guidance says buyers can decline or negotiate them. Ask the dealer to identify each item and its cash price.
FTC used-car guidance recommends obtaining the out-the-door price in writing before discussing financing. A low monthly payment can result from a longer loan and more total interest. Compare the term, annual percentage rate and overall amount paid.
Check that the final contract contains only the add-ons you accepted, at the agreed prices. Our checklist is to retain the original quote and financing offer, then compare every extra line before signing rather than relying on the monthly-payment headline.
Original documents used for this summary. Multiple links from one publisher are not independent corroboration. Policies can change after the check date.
AI-assisted research, writing and translation by No Secrets, using the linked public documents. This is a source summary, not firsthand reporting or an independently audited investigation. No affiliate links are used in this article.
The date above records this research pass, not the date of every underlying event. The English and Chinese versions are AI-assisted summaries; the linked original controls if they differ.