Auto Dealer Fraud: The Market Adjustment Fee

This scam happens when the dealer tells you that your car is a really popular vehicle, and so to sell you the vehicle they have to add “Market Adjustment Fees” of several thousand dollars. This amount is usually indicated on an orange sticker next to manufacturer’s MSRP sticker. A car may be popular, but if it is in stock, it is not worth paying extra for it. Many buyers, especially trade-in buyers, have been scammed before. They focus only on what they get for their old car, and so they don’t see the big picture. They may get an extra few thousand for their car, but they don’t notice that they are charged a much higher Market Adjustment Fee. The dealer sells the car, gets the trade-in, and makes an extra off the buyer. Never pay more than the manufacturer’s MSRP.