11 Useless Add-Ons Car Dealerships Try To Trick You Into Buying

Heading into a car dealership can be pretty stressful—especially when it comes to dodging all of the extra products they try to tack on to your purchase. These add-ons are often pitched as ‘must-haves’ to protect your shiny new ride.

But let’s cut through the sales pitch: many of these products are simply not worth your hard-earned cash. From extended warranties that seldom pay off, to flashy but unnecessary tire protection plans, we’re here to help you steer clear of 11 common dealership extras that, frankly, you could totally do without.

Upgraded Floor Mats

Considering those “heavy-duty” floor mats at the dealership? They might seem like a solid upgrade, especially if you’re battling mud, rain, or snow regularly. But if your local weather doesn’t demand such rugged accessories, the standard mats that come with most cars are likely enough. For those living in warmer, drier climates, sticking with the basics can save you a chunk of change.

And if you do find yourself needing tougher mats, take a pass on the pricey dealership options. Usually, you can snag a set of custom or generic mats elsewhere for a lot less, giving you the protection you need without the inflated cost.

Rust-Proofing and Undercoating

Back in the day, rust-proofing was almost a necessity, especially in chilly regions where road salt was common. Fast forward to now, and new cars come equipped with impressive corrosion protection straight from the factory. Paying extra for rust-proofing and undercoating? That’s largely a relic of the past.

In some cases, these add-ons might even do more harm than good, trapping moisture against your car’s underbody and accelerating rust. Save your money—modern vehicles are built to withstand the elements without this outdated upsell.

Key Replacement Insurance

Lost car keys can indeed hit your wallet hard, particularly with today’s tech-savvy vehicles. But here’s the thing: key replacement insurance might not be the safety net you think it is. The cost of this insurance often edges close to what you’d pay for replacing the keys outright.

Instead of forking over cash for what might happen, why not just keep a spare key in a safe place? Having a little extra in your savings for a rainy day (or a lost key day) can be a more economical solution.

Tire Protection

Thinking about adding tire protection to your car purchase? If you’re not driving a high-performance vehicle with costly wheels, this might just be an unnecessary extra. Dealership prices for tire protection can wildly vary, sometimes costing up to $500 per tire.

But here’s the kicker: most tires already come with a manufacturer’s warranty, and the likelihood of a puncture that can’t be simply repaired is pretty slim.

Instead of opting for pricey tire protection, why not keep an eye on your tires and handle repairs as needed? It’s usually more cost-effective.

Nitrogen-Filled Tires

Nitrogen in your tires might sound like a high-tech must-have, thanks to some enthusiastic sales pitches, but let’s deflate that myth. The truth? For most drivers, filling tires with nitrogen instead of regular air is just an extra expense without real benefits.

Sure, nitrogen is less prone to pressure changes with temperature fluctuations, but for everyday driving, this advantage hardly matters. Stick with regular air and remember to check your tire pressure routinely.

Window Tints/Clear Protection

Window tints and UV protection are fantastic for keeping your car cool and protecting the interior from sun damage. However, this doesn’t mean you should automatically opt for the dealer’s offer. Often, dealers outsource this job to third-party installers and hike up the price to earn a quick buck.

A smarter move? Take your vehicle directly to a trusted window tint specialist after purchase. You’ll likely get a better deal and ensure quality work, saving yourself both money and potential frustration.

Paint Protection

Here’s the deal on paint protection: while it might seem like a good idea to shield your car’s paint job from the elements, modern car paints are already tough cookies. They come with built-in sealants and rust-resistant features, making them more than capable of handling whatever Mother Nature throws their way.

Regular washing and a bit of wax can keep your car looking fresh without the hefty price tag. Paint protection services at dealerships can run you a pretty penny, often much more than you’d pay at a local auto shop.

Windshield Protection

Windshield protection might sound tempting, especially with the cost of replacements being on the high side. But pause and consider: how often do you actually end up with a cracked windshield?

For the minor chips and cracks that life might throw your way, a simple resin repair can often do the trick, which is far cheaper than any dealership protection plan. Setting aside a little cash each month for car emergencies can save you more in the long run than investing in this seldom-used protection.

GAP Insurance

Let’s talk about GAP insurance, or Guaranteed Asset Protection. It’s actually one of the more reasonable extras you can get. Here’s why: if you total your new car soon after buying it, GAP insurance has your back by covering the price difference between what your regular insurance pays and what you owe on your vehicle.

The catch? Although it sounds like a solid plan, you’re likely better off snagging this insurance directly from your provider instead of through the dealership. It’s usually cheaper, and you’ll avoid the trouble of dealing with an unknown insurance firm.

Extended Warranties

When you’re eyeing that shiny new car, the dealer might nudge you towards an extended warranty. Here’s the scoop: these warranties kick in after the original one winds down, usually post 3-5 years or once you hit between 36,000 to 60,000 miles. Sounds helpful, right? Not so fast.

A Consumer Reports survey found that most folks shell out more on these warranties than what they actually save on repairs. Instead of locking your cash up in a warranty that may not pay off, why not tuck away a little each month for those just-in-case car fixes?

Credit Insurance

Now, let’s talk about credit insurance. That car salesperson might pitch it as a safety net for your car payments in case life throws you a curveball—like losing your job, facing a disability, or worse.

It’s an extra few hundred bucks each year, but here’s the thing: you’re likely to snag a better deal directly through your own insurance provider, without any sneaky dealer markups.

Plus, it’s downright illegal for dealerships to claim they can’t sell you a car without this insurance.