Used cars offer great value, but you still need to know your true cost. Our used car OTD calculator shows exactly what you'll pay including taxes, registration, dealer fees, and any other charges. No more surprises at the dealership.
Used car OTD includes: the negotiated purchase price, state and local sales tax, registration fees (may be based on vehicle age or value), title transfer, documentation fee, and potentially certification fees for CPO vehicles. No destination charge since that only applies to new cars.
You pay sales tax on the purchase price (or fair market value in some states), not the original MSRP. States that offer trade-in credits apply them to used purchases too. Lower purchase price means lower tax—one advantage of buying used.
Dealer purchases include doc fees and possibly reconditioning charges. Private party sales avoid these fees but may require you to handle registration yourself. Both charge the same sales tax when you register the vehicle.
CPO vehicles include certification costs—dealer inspection and extended warranty—that may add $500-$2,000 to the price. Calculate whether this premium is worth the warranty coverage and peace of mind compared to non-certified options.
Doc fees are typically the same. You won't pay destination charges. Registration may differ based on vehicle age. Some dealers add 'reconditioning' fees for used cars.
The same rate as new cars, but applied to the purchase price. A $15,000 used car at 7% means $1,050 in tax—much less than tax on a $30,000 new car.
Yes. In some states, fees are flat. In others, fees decrease with vehicle age or are based on current value. Check your state's DMV for specifics.
You skip dealer fees but pay the same tax when registering. You'll handle paperwork yourself, though some states require both parties at the DMV.
Absolutely. Pay $100-$200 for an independent mechanic inspection. It can reveal costly hidden problems and give you negotiating leverage.
Same as new cars—$300-$500 is reasonable. Some dealers charge lower doc fees on used vehicles due to competition from private sellers.
It depends on the vehicle and price difference. CPO offers warranty coverage and thorough inspection. Compare the premium to third-party warranty costs.
Yes, because tax is based on purchase price. Lower price means lower tax, plus lower insurance costs. This is a major advantage of used car buying.