Dealer fees and add-ons, decoded before you sign.

A documentation fee (doc fee) is what the dealer charges to handle the paperwork that titles and registers your car. Some states cap it, many do not, so the same task can cost $85 in one state and $700+ in another. It is a real charge, but the amount is largely a profit center.

An electronic filing fee covers the cost of submitting your title and registration paperwork to the DMV electronically instead of by mail. It is usually small and can be a legitimate pass-through, but some dealers pad it or stack it on top of the documentation fee.

A nitrogen tire fill fee charges you for inflating the tires with nitrogen instead of ordinary air. The claimed benefits (steadier pressure, less oxidation) are minor for everyday drivers, and the fee is almost always optional. For most buyers it is safe to decline or have removed.

VIN etching engraves your vehicle identification number onto the windows as a theft deterrent. The idea is legitimate, but dealers often charge $150 to $400 for something you can do yourself with a kit for around $25. It is optional and negotiable.

A dealer prep fee charges you for cleaning, fueling, and inspecting the car before you take it. This is normal cost-of-doing-business work that gets a car ready to sell, so the fee is widely considered junk padding. It is one of the most negotiable line items on a quote.

A market adjustment (or additional dealer markup) is an amount added above the advertised or list price when a model is in high demand. It is pure margin, often printed on a second addendum sticker, and it is entirely negotiable, walk away if a dealer will not remove it.

Paint and fabric protection is a dealer upsell that applies a sealant to the paint and a stain guard to the interior. The products are inexpensive and the protection is modest, while the charge is often several hundred dollars or more. It is optional and easy to decline.

A dealer advertising fee passes the cost of regional advertising on to you. Sometimes it reflects a real charge the manufacturer bills the dealer for a regional ad group, but often it is general marketing overhead being recovered from the buyer. Whether you can remove it depends on the source.