What fees are paid when buying a new or used car?

This is a percentage of the car's purchase price that's determined by your state. The total can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the price of the vehicle and where you live.

These fees cover the legal transfer of ownership into your name and the registration required to operate your car on public roads. They vary by state and vehicle type. You're often required to pay them before you can take your car home.

This is the cost for issuing new license plates or transferring your current plates to your new vehicle. You may have to pay an additional fee for specialty or vanity plates.

This fee covers the dealership's administrative work, including processing paperwork, filling forms, and handling the title transfer. In some states, the law caps the amount of these fees.

If your state requires emissions testing or safety inspections, you may need to pay these fees before registering the vehicle. If your dealer handles the inspection, this fee is often included on the sale of your car.

This fee covers cleaning, detailing, and basic servicing of the car before delivery. You may be able to negotiate a lower amount when buying a car or remove the fee completely.

Some dealers add a charge to cover their marketing and promotional expenses. If this fee appears as a separate line item on your contract, you may be able to negotiate to a lower amount or have it removed completely.

These are service contracts that add coverage beyond the manufacturer's warranty. While they can offer peace of mind, you may be able to shop around for similar protection at a lower price.

These treatments are designed to preserve your car's appearance and condition. However, many vehicles already include strong factory protection, so you may not need to pay extra for them.

Dealers may add items like tinted windows, upgraded wheels, spoilers, or floor mats to your vehicle. If these aren't something you want, you can request to have them removed from the contract or negotiate their cost.

You need proof of coverage before you can legally drive your new or used car off the lot. If you already have a policy, your new car may be covered automatically for a short period, but you should contact your insurer to confirm or update your policy. First-time buyers will need to purchase a policy before completing the sale.

If you're financing your car, your lender may require gap insurance, which covers the difference between what you owe and your car's value if totaled. Purchasing it through your insurer may be less expensive than buying from the dealer.

Progressive offers a similar coverage known as loan/lease payoff coverage. It can help pay the difference between your vehicle's current value and what you owe on your loan or lease, up to your coverage limit. You can add loan/lease payoff coverage to your Progressive auto insurance policy when you carry both comprehensive and collision coverage.