Out the Door Price Calculator
Calculate the true total cost of your vehicle purchase including taxes and fees.
Purchase Summary
Taxable Amount:
$0.00
Total Sales Tax:
$0.00
Total Fees (Doc + Reg):
$0.00
Out the Door Price:
$0.00
Understanding "Out the Door" (OTD) Pricing
When shopping for a vehicle, the "sticker price" or MSRP is rarely what you actually pay. The Out the Door (OTD) price is the final, comprehensive total required to drive the car off the dealership lot. It includes every hidden fee, government tax, and regional surcharge.
Key Components of the Calculation:
- Selling Price: The negotiated price of the vehicle before any taxes or credits.
- Sales Tax: Most states calculate tax on the Net Price (Vehicle Price minus Trade-In Value). This "trade-in tax credit" can save you hundreds of dollars.
- Documentation Fee (Doc Fee): A fee charged by dealers for processing the paperwork. This varies wildly by state; some states cap it (like California or Texas), while others do not.
- Registration and Title: Government fees paid to the DMV for your license plates and legal ownership documents.
- Rebates: Manufacturer incentives that are applied after tax is calculated in most jurisdictions.
Real-World Example Calculation:
Imagine you are buying a car with a sticker price of $30,000. You have a trade-in worth $5,000 and live in an area with 7% sales tax. The dealer charges a $400 doc fee and $100 for registration.
- Taxable Amount: $30,000 – $5,000 = $25,000
- Sales Tax: $25,000 × 0.07 = $1,750
- Final Price: $25,000 (Net) + $1,750 (Tax) + $400 (Doc) + $100 (Reg) = $27,250 OTD
SEO Pro Tip: Always ask for the "Out the Door" price during negotiations. Dealers may try to lower the monthly payment by extending the loan term while hiding high fees in the OTD total.