Car buyers walk into the showroom focused on price, then walk out having paid hundreds or even thousands extra for dealer add-ons that sounded smart in the moment. The problem is that many of those extras are wildly overpriced and deliver almost no real-world benefit. Here are seven of the worst offenders that tend to trigger regret long after the new-car smell fades.
1) Extended Warranties
Extended warranties are the classic “peace of mind” upsell, but the math rarely works in the buyer’s favor. The pitch usually comes after hours of negotiation, when people are tired and more likely to agree to a big add-on rolled quietly into the monthly payment. Some dealers even try to slip extras into contracts after customers say no, which is exactly the kind of behavior the FTC has warned about, stressing that dealerships cannot charge for add-ons that buyers did not actually agree to purchase.
Most new cars already carry long factory warranties, and major defects usually show up during that original coverage. Paying thousands up front for a problem that might never happen, on a car that may be sold before the policy even kicks in, is why extended warranties sit high on the regret list. The real stakes are long-term: inflated loan balances, higher interest costs, and less flexibility if the owner wants to trade out early.
2) Rustproofing Treatments
Rustproofing treatments sound responsible, especially for people who drive in wet or coastal areas, but modern vehicles already leave the factory with extensive corrosion protection. Automakers design body panels, coatings, and drainage points to survive years of exposure, which makes dealer-applied undercoating mostly redundant. One frustrated owner summed up the situation in a discussion about a dealer offering undercoat and rust proofing together, saying that almost any add-on the dealership pushes is “usually garbage and definitely overpriced,” a sentiment echoed in a CX-5 thread.
On top of being unnecessary, some aftermarket sprays can even trap moisture if applied poorly, which is the exact opposite of what buyers think they are paying for. The bigger issue is financial: rustproofing can add hundreds of dollars to the deal, often financed over several years. That money could go toward real protection, like regular washes in winter climates or a savings cushion for future repairs.
3) Paint Protection Packages
Paint protection packages promise showroom shine for years, but the underlying products are often just waxes or sealants with a luxury price tag. Modern factory paint jobs are engineered to handle sun, rain, and road grime, with clearcoats that already include sealants and antirust. That means the expensive “lifetime” coating the dealer is selling usually adds little that a careful wash routine and occasional detailing could not deliver for far less.
Some packages bundle in vague guarantees about resisting bird droppings or tree sap, but the fine print is full of exclusions and maintenance requirements that are easy to miss. When buyers realize they paid a four-figure markup for what amounts to a glorified wax job, regret hits hard. The real takeaway is that if someone wants extra protection, a reputable independent detailer or a do-it-yourself ceramic kit will usually cost less and be easier to control.
4) Fabric and Upholstery Guards
Fabric and upholstery guards are another favorite add-on, sold as a way to keep seats looking new despite kids, pets, and coffee. In practice, the dealer is often spraying a basic protectant on the seats and carpets, then charging a premium for the privilege. Some consumer-focused lists of useless extras point out that these kinds of treatments can tack hundreds of dollars onto the price, with add-ons quickly piling up before the buyer realizes how much they have agreed to.
Most interiors already use stain-resistant fabrics, and simple habits like quick cleanups and floor mats do more than a one-time spray ever will. The stakes here are subtle but real: every padded add-on inflates the loan and makes it harder to negotiate a clean, transparent deal. Buyers who skip the dealer package can buy a bottle of fabric protector at a parts store for a fraction of the cost and apply it themselves in under an hour.
5) VIN Etching Services
VIN etching services are sold as a theft deterrent, with the vehicle identification number etched into the glass to make the car harder to resell. The idea is not completely useless, but the dealer pricing often is. Some buyers report being quoted bundled fees where a Dealer charges as much as $600 for VIN etching and related extras, folded into discussions of Nitrogen Pricing, Ordering, Leasing, and Purchasing so the true cost is hard to spot.
Etching can be done at home with a low-cost kit or through community programs that offer it cheaply, which makes the dealer markup tough to justify. The bigger concern is that buyers may think they are getting comprehensive anti-theft protection when they are really paying for a minor visual deterrent. That false sense of security can distract from more effective steps, like secure parking, steering locks, or tracking devices.
6) Nitrogen-Filled Tires
Nitrogen-filled tires are pitched as a performance and safety upgrade, with promises of better pressure retention and fuel economy. In reality, regular air already contains a high percentage of nitrogen, and one owner discussing nitrogen pointed out that the air people breathe is 85% nitrogen. That makes the dealer’s claim of a dramatic improvement hard to swallow, especially when the service is bundled with other fees.
Any small benefit from purer nitrogen is usually wiped out by the cost and hassle of refilling only at specific shops. For everyday drivers in compact SUVs or family sedans, checking tire pressure monthly and using a basic gauge at a gas station will do more for safety and tire life than paying a premium for green valve caps. The real risk is that nitrogen becomes one more line item that pads the contract while delivering almost no noticeable change in how the car drives.
7) The Optional Extra Australians Regret
The optional extra Australians regret most is a textbook example of how slick sales pitches can backfire. Reporting on local buyers found that a quarter of Australians later wished they had skipped a particular optional feature, with many saying “You’ll never use it” once the novelty wore off. That level of regret, affecting a quarter of owners, shows how easy it is to be talked into tech or convenience upgrades that do not match real driving habits.
Whether the extra is an elaborate off-road mode on a city SUV or a high-end sound system in a car mostly used for short commutes, the pattern is the same: buyers pay thousands for something they barely touch. The broader trend is that optional extras are increasingly where profit hides, as base prices stay competitive while add-ons balloon. For shoppers, the lesson is simple but powerful, slow down, picture daily use honestly, and refuse to pay luxury prices for features that will sit idle.
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