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What Is a Reconditioning Fee on a Used Car?
Used-car dealers may charge you a reconditioning fee to cover their costs of getting cars ready for sale.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising
partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or
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Updated · 1 min read
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Julie Myhre-Nunes leads the Auto Loans, Student Loans and Home Services teams at NerdWallet. Julie has over a decade of experience in personal finance. Before joining NerdWallet, she led editorial teams at Red Ventures and several startups. Her personal finance insights have been featured in Forbes, The Boston Globe and CNBC, while her writing has appeared in USA Today, Business Insider, Wired Insights and more.
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A reconditioning fee is an added dealer charge you might find when buying a used car. It’s intended to cover any costs the dealer incurs to make sure a used car is showroom-ready, from mechanical inspections to detailing.
Are reconditioning fees legal or negotiable?
Reconditioning fees are legal, but that doesn’t mean you should pay them. Dealers can charge whatever they want for a reconditioning fee, and it’s not uncommon to find them ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
The good news: Reconditioning fees, like most dealer extras, are negotiable. Ask the dealer for a breakdown of the reconditioning fee to see what kind of work was done to prepare the car for sale. If the work was minor but the fee is high — for example, if they’re asking for $1,995 but replaced the floor mats only — that’s a good sign it’s a bogus charge.
🤓Nerdy Tip
There are many dealer fees that you can negotiate, but some nonnegotiables include taxes, title fees and registration fees.
However, when it comes time for negotiation, don’t just haggle down the reconditioning fee or other individual fees. The best way to negotiate is to focus on the out-the-door price, or the total amount you’re paying for the car. This simplifies the negotiation process and keeps you focused on the true price of a car.
Why do dealers charge reconditioning fees?
All dealers incur reconditioning costs, but they’re often built into the dealer’s asking price for a vehicle, rather than as a separate charge.
Some dealers opt to add a reconditioning fee to the bill because it allows them to advertise a lower asking price online, which doesn’t include fees. It’s a tactic to get you into their dealership, since the asking price is lower than that of other dealerships.
However, once you arrive, you may find that the out-the-door price is the same — or more — compared with what other dealers are asking.
Some car-buying experts recommend avoiding dealerships that charge reconditioning fees altogether. But remember that the out-the-door price is what matters at the end of the day, so it’s worth comparing prices at multiple dealerships to find the best deal.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
Best for borrowers with good or excellent credit who want fast approval and funding to buy a new car.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
4.5
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
6.74 - 15.24%
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
Best for applicants who want to compare multiple new car purchase loan offers.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
4.0
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
6.24 - 29.90%
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
Auto Credit Express
New car purchase loan
Not yet rated
Best for new-car buyers who can’t qualify for a lower-rate loan through a traditional lender and need help finding a dealer with subprime lending.
Min score: None
Amount: No min. - $100,000
Min. AmountNo min.
Max. Amount$100,000
Not yet rated
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
N/A - N/A
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
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