What things you should never buy at a car dealership: tips for inexperienced drivers

Buying a new car is always a special event. When you buy it in a car dealership, you may be offered many additional accessories of all kinds - and some of them will be just a waste of money.

In fact, some things are simply not worth buying at a car dealership at all, but inexperienced drivers don't know about it. Go Banking Rates has found out what you shouldn't buy there.

Key protection

Losing your car keys has always been a headache, but with remote access, laser cutting, and high-quality key fobs, it's not just an inconvenience, but also a significant expense. Replacing sophisticated key systems, especially on luxury cars, can lead to unnecessary costs that are likely not covered by car insurance. Some dealers offer "key protection" - a separate insurance policy just for the keys. Objectively speaking, this is simply unnecessary expense for an unlikely event.

Windshield protection

Some companies, through car dealers, offer windshield insurance coverage - of course, to sell to customers at a markup. Yes, windshields can sometimes break, and yes, they are expensive. However, the truth is that modern products can fix the most common cracks, and windshields rarely need to be completely replaced.

Tire protection

Almost all tires come with a proportionate warranty that covers defects in workmanship, which are very rare. The dealer may try to sell you an prorated warranties that covers things that the standard proportional warranty does not. But the cost of a standard new tire is not particularly high, so is it worth the extra cost?

Car alarms and trackers

Most cars are equipped with security systems or even trackers, but dealers often try to sell them as add-ons.

Paint sealants

Modern cars come with factory paint that is designed to withstand weather conditions - they have "built-in" sealants and anti-corrosion properties. Protecting the paint can cost several hundred dollars, and it's almost never worth the cost. Wash your car regularly and the paint will last you a lifetime in almost any condition.

Fabric protection

The same rule applies to fabric protection, which is applied by the manufacturer and included in the price of the car

Nitrogen-filled tired

Another "fashionable additive" is nitrogen-filled tires, which are allegedly less susceptible to thermal expansion and pressure loss. Experts say that according to recent research, this is almost irrelevant in real-world conditions. In fact, it is a waste of money.

Clear protection

You may buy window tinting or clear UV protection, but don't let the dealer sell it to you as an add-on. Chances are they don't do the work themselves and instead farm it out to the lowest bidder. You, of course, will not get any benefit - the difference is in the dealer's net profit.

Door edge protection

You can buy a door edge protection kit online at a fairly reasonable price. A car dealership will charge you many times more. In theory, door edge protection protects vulnerable areas from chips and scratches. The truth is that modern paint can withstand most damage.

Upgraded floor mats

The dealer may try to convince you to choose "heavy-duty" or "all-weather" mats. Ordinary mats often come from the factory, in which case the dealer doesn't make any profit from them. If you need more durable mats, they are easy to find at a reasonable price online.

Trunk tray

Rubberized cargo liners for the trunk or back of a hatchback or SUV protect against tearing of the upholstery and other damage. This is certainly not a bad idea. However, you can buy them at a fraction of the price in an online store or at a local auto parts store. In a car dealership, the price may be overstated by several times.

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