Out-the-Door Car Price Calculator
Build the complete vehicle purchase price from the negotiated selling price—not the advertised payment. Separate tax, government fees, dealer charges, add-ons, trade allowance, payoff and cash down so every part of the deal can be checked.
Start with the deal price.
Use the negotiated selling price, not the monthly payment.
The out-the-door (OTD) price is the total purchase price needed to complete the vehicle transaction before applying financing choices such as cash down or net trade equity. It normally includes the negotiated vehicle price, applicable sales/use tax, title and registration, dealer-controlled fees and any products or accessories you agreed to buy.
OTD price formula
A practical audit formula is: negotiated vehicle price − dealer discount − qualifying price reductions + taxable dealer charges + add-ons + sales/use tax + title/registration/plate and other government fees. Trade tax treatment is state-specific, so the gross trade allowance can change the tax base in some states but not others.
Do not subtract a down payment when comparing OTD prices between dealers. A down payment changes how much you finance; it does not make the vehicle itself cheaper.
OTD price vs. amount financed
These are different numbers. Positive trade equity and cash down reduce the amount you need to fund. Negative equity can increase it. Loan interest is the cost of financing the amount borrowed over time and is not part of the vehicle's OTD purchase price.
That separation matters when a salesperson focuses on a monthly payment. A longer term can reduce the payment while increasing total interest or hiding a higher selling price.
What to enter from a dealer quote
- Negotiated selling price, not MSRP unless that is the agreed price
- Dealer discount and manufacturer/customer rebates as separate lines
- Gross trade-in allowance and lender payoff separately
- Dealer documentation, processing or electronic-filing charges
- Protection products, accessories and other add-ons
- Sales/use tax and any local rate required by the state
- Title, registration, plate and other government charges
- Cash down only after the purchase total is understood
Example: why a $30,000 car can become a $33,000+ deal
Suppose the negotiated price is $30,000. A 7% tax on a $30,000 taxable base is $2,100. Add a $500 dealer fee and $650 of title/registration charges and the purchase total is already $33,250 before optional products. If a $1,500 protection package is added, the deal rises to $34,750 before considering whether that product is taxable. The exact tax base and fees depend on state law, but the example shows why the selling price and OTD price must be compared separately.
How to ask a dealer for an OTD price
The Federal Trade Commission recommends getting the out-the-door price in writing before visiting and says it should include all charges and fees. Ask for a buyer's order or written quote that shows the vehicle, selling price, discounts, dealer fees, products, taxes and government charges separately.
FTC guidance on written out-the-door prices
When to use a state-specific calculator
Use the detailed state engine whenever CarDealAudit supports your state. It can model rules a national percentage cannot—such as Florida county surtax, Texas Standard Presumptive Value, Washington's additional motor-vehicle and luxury taxes, California trade treatment, Georgia TAVT, North Carolina Highway-Use Tax and Illinois private-party schedules.
Open all state vehicle tax and OTD calculators.
Out-the-door price FAQs
Does OTD price include a down payment?
No. For comparison purposes, keep cash down separate. It reduces the amount you need to pay or finance but does not reduce the dealer's total purchase price.
Does OTD price include trade-in value?
The trade can affect tax and the amount you fund, but compare the underlying OTD purchase total before using net trade equity to make one deal look cheaper.
Does OTD include interest?
No. OTD is the purchase transaction total. Interest is the cost of financing over the loan term.
Can I negotiate the OTD price?
You can negotiate dealer-controlled parts of the transaction such as selling price, some fees, add-ons and financing terms. Government tax/title/registration rules are not dealer discounts.
The calculator distinguishes fixed statewide rules from local, vehicle-specific or user-entered amounts. Dealer worksheets and the state motor-vehicle agency remain the final transaction records. Review the official source registry.
Review official sources