Dealer Quote Checker and Buyer's Order Audit
Paste or enter each quote line. The browser audit separates vehicle price, government charges, dealer fees, add-ons, trade figures and financing items so the printed total can be checked before you commit.
Paste a quote or enter each line.
Everything is parsed in your browser. Review parsed credits and amounts before relying on the audit.
You should be able to trace the negotiated vehicle price to a complete out-the-door total, then separately see how rebates, trade equity, cash down and financing change the amount you must pay or borrow.
1. Confirm the exact vehicle and selling price
Match VIN or stock number, year, make, model and trim when available. Then find the selling price after the negotiated dealer discount. MSRP, market adjustment, dealer discount and final selling price should not be blended into an unexplained number.
2. Separate dealer-controlled charges from government charges
Tax, title and registration should be distinguishable from documentation/processing, reconditioning, accessories and protection products. A dealer-created fee is not automatically unlawful; the point is to know who controls it and whether it was included when you compared advertised prices.
3. Check add-ons line by line
Service contracts, GAP, maintenance, etching, paint/fabric protection and dealer-installed accessories can add thousands of dollars. FTC consumer guidance says buyers should ensure unwanted add-ons are removed and that the final contract matches what they agreed to buy.
4. Keep trade allowance and payoff separate
The gross trade value is what the dealer gives for the old vehicle. Payoff is what is owed to the lender. Their difference is positive or negative equity. Mixing these numbers can hide old debt inside the replacement transaction and can also create tax-calculation mistakes in states that use the gross qualifying trade allowance.
5. Reconcile the arithmetic
Follow the quote from selling price through taxable additions, tax, government fees and products. Then compare the printed subtotal with the sum of its lines. Apply rebates, cash down and net trade equity only in the stage where the document actually applies them.
6. Review financing only after the purchase total is clear
Amount financed, APR, term and monthly payment can make a high-price deal look affordable. CFPB guidance notes that auto-loan interest rates can be negotiated and that dealer-arranged financing may be offered above the lender's buy rate. Compare outside financing or a preapproval where practical.
Worked example: low payment, expensive quote
A dealer quotes a $29,000 vehicle plus $899 documentation, $1,495 reconditioning and $1,200 protection, then focuses on a monthly payment. Before tax and registration, dealer-controlled price is already $32,594. If the buyer compares only payment, a longer term can hide that $3,594 difference. The quote audit makes those lines visible before financing is evaluated.
What to ask the dealer to send
- VIN/stock number and exact vehicle
- Negotiated selling price
- Every dealer fee
- Every add-on/product and cash price
- Sales/use tax
- Title/registration/plate charges
- Gross trade allowance
- Current trade payoff
- Rebates and eligibility conditions
- Final out-the-door price
Official consumer guidance
The FTC recommends getting the complete OTD price in writing before visiting so offers can be compared on an apples-to-apples basis. CFPB recommends reviewing the full deal and loan terms before signing.
FTC written OTD guidance · CFPB auto-loan resources
Have multiple offers? Normalize up to three dealer quotes side by side.