Edmunds.com FAQs

Edmunds True Market Value (TMV) pricing system helps you determine the average transaction price, or what others are paying, for new or used vehicles in your area so that you can begin your negotiations with a fair price in mind.

Whats Included in TMV? Our TMV pricing system estimates a vehicles average transaction price, not its out the door cost. Therefore, TMV prices DOtake into account any incentives and fees that may affect the transaction price, including:

manufacturer-to-dealer incentives (i.e. dealer cash)

destination charges

advertising fees (when applicable)

However, TMV prices DO NOT include most incentives and fees that are typically applied after a transaction price has been determined:

manufacturer-to-consumer rebates (i.e. cash rebates)

sales tax

license/registration fees

dealer title/documentation (doc) fees

For more details, please see How to Use TMV and What Fees Should You Pay?

Please note that, unfortunately, we are not able to provide TMV prices for the following:

Model years prior to 1990

Exotic vehicles

RVs, motor homes, commercial trucks, tractors or trailers

Motorcycles or ATVs

Vehicles with salvage titles

Demo vehicles

Non-U.S. vehicles

Customized vehicles (e.g., Saleen Mustang) oraftermarket accessories and/or parts

Are sales taxes calculated before or after a rebate or incentive is applied? The short answer is: it depends on the state. Please see What Fees Should You Pay? for detailed information on this topic, including a chart that reveals which states apply taxes to incentives and which states do not.

What is this fee and can it be negotiated?

A "destination charge" is a fee that the manufacturer charges to deliver a vehicle from the factory to the dealership, and that is passed on by the dealer to the consumer; it is not included in the MSRP of the vehicle.Destination charges are typically not negotiable. In fact, even customers who arrange to take delivery of a vehicle at the factory are expected to pay the full destination charge.

The destination charge is the same for a particular vehicle no matter where the dealership is located (with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii in some instances). That's because manufacturers average the cost to ship a vehicle from the factory to the furthest dealership with the cost to ship a vehicle from the factory to the closest dealership. Some manufacturers do this for each model; others average costs across an entire make. Destination charges are taxable, so the destination charge is added to the price of the vehicle before sales tax is calculated.

Is destination fee included in TMV or Price Promise?

When you build and price a car on Edmunds, you will see destination itemized under TMV. For Price Promise offers, you will want to read the fine print as dealers may or may not be including this charge in their pricing.

Leasing a new car can be a great choice if you prefer to get a new car every two or three years. But lets face it: the whole process can be a little intimidating, especially for someone new to leasing. Thats why weve put together this simple guide to getting a good lease deal.

First of all, you should always review the lease specials available in your area. Manufacturer-backed special offers may be the easiest and best choice for anyone who wants to lease a car without having to worry about complicated negotiations, but check all the details -- especially the down payment. On Edmunds.com, you can find all available offers on our Incentives & Rebates pages. Or just skip to our hand-selected Deals of the Month to find lease bargains available right now.

If a special leaseisn'tavailable for the car you want,don'tdespair. You can still negotiate a fair lease agreement with a dealer. Just make sure to review each of the following parts of the deal before you sign. We've broken it down by what's negotiable, what isn't negotiable and what may be negotiable.

Whats negotiable:

The Cap Cost, or Capitalized Cost: Think of this as the vehicles selling price; it should be negotiated the same as if you were purchasing it. Make sure this is set at or below the average price that other shoppers are paying for similarly-equipped cars in your area -- what we at Edmunds.com call the True Market Value (TMV).

Trade In Value: If you are trading in a car as a part of your lease deal, make sure you're getting a fair value for it by calculating its value using our Used Car Appraiser.

Money Factor: This is simply the interest rate on a lease but expressed as a decimal number. The amount you pay will likely depend on your credit score. To find out what you are paying, take the money factor, and multiply it by 2400 -- for example, .00250 X 2400 = 6 percent. Dealers sometimes mark up the money factor for additional profit. If you feel you are being overcharged, ask the dealer for a lease based on their "buy rate."

Whats not negotiable:

Residual Value: This is the agreed-upon value of the car at the end of its lease term, after accounting for the car's anticipated depreciation. Banks or leasing companies typically set this amount based on industry data. The best cars to lease are those that tend to retain their value over time -- e.g. at least 50% of their original value after 36 months.

Acquisition Fee: Sometimes called a bank fee or administrative fee, this is a fee that leasing companies charge to arrange the lease. This fee is typically between $395 - $895, depending on the vehicle and leasing company. Note that acquisition fees can be bundled into the monthly lease payment, or paid up-front.

What may be negotiable:

Cap Cost Reduction:This is any payment, trade-in credit or rebate amount that reduces the total amount being financed during the lease and has the effect of reducing the monthly payment amount. A Cap Cost Reduction is sometimes required in promotional lease deals. (Note: we generally advise keeping any Cap Cost Reduction to a minimum since the amount is not typically reimbursed by insurance if the car happens to be involved in a serious accident and totaled.)

Buy-Out Price:If you think you may want to purchase your leased car at the end of the lease period, check to see whether the leasing company is flexible on the buy-out price. In some cases, they may agree to set the buy-out price lower than the residual amount.

Disposition Fee:This fee is charged by the leasing company to cover the expense of cleaning up and selling the car after you return it at lease end. Most charge between $300 and $400. You normallywon'tbe able to avoid this charge unless you buy the car at the end of the lease -- or, in some cases, lease another car of the same brand.

To review the entire leasing process in more detail, please see 10 Steps to Leasing a New Car.

Edmunds developed True Cost to Own (TCO) to help car shoppers estimate the total five-year cost of buying and owning a vehicle. The tool makes it easy for shoppers to compare five-year total ownership costs for the different vehicles they are considering so that they can make more informed buying decisions. The ownership costs that we estimate include depreciation, interest on financing, taxes and fees, insurance premiums, fuel, maintenance and repairs. In order to estimate certain mileage-dependent costs, we assume that vehicles will be driven an average of 15,000 miles per year. For used vehicles, we assume that the vehicle has been driven 15,000 miles per year from its model year through the current calendar year.

Note that TCO is a comparative tool, not a predictive tool. Your actual five-year cost of owning a particular vehicle will vary depending on your personal circumstances, such as your driving history and the number of miles you drive.For more information about TCO, please see Revealing the Hidden Costs of Ownership.

Incentives and Rebates are programs offered to consumers or dealers to stimulate new car sales. The four most common programs are Cash Rebates, Low Interest Financing, Special Leases and Marketing Support. Cash Rebates, Low Interest Financing and Special Leases are provided directly to the consumers. Eligibility requirements may vary, and not all consumers may qualify. Marketing Support is provided directly to the dealers, and the benefit may or may not be passed on to consumers. Marketing Support programs take many forms, but the most common type is Dealer Cash.Please note that incentive programs are subject to change at any time by manufacturers. Edmunds publishes such changes on a daily basis; however, there may be a short delay between the time a manufacturer discloses a change and the time we publish the update.For definitions of any Incentives and Rebates terms, please see the glossary below:

Cash Rebates Rebates provided by the manufacturer directly to the customer at the time the vehicle is purchased to lower the final price of the vehicle. Consumers usually may elect to either receive this amount in cash or to credit the rebate as part of the vehicle's down payment. Dealer Cash Incentives Are typically paid to the dealers by the manufacturers to stimulate sales momentum or reduce inventory pressure for certain vehicles. There are many variations, but the most common dealer cash incentive structure provides a cash credit to the dealer upon the sale of a vehicle in the program. In other cases, dealers earn cash bonuses when they achieve sales volume targets. However, there are also programs where dealers earn the incentive upon purchasing the vehicle from the manufacturer. These programs vary widely, but in all cases the Edmunds.com True Market Value Prices have taken these cash incentives into account. Finance Rate (APR) For a vehicle purchase, the cost of credit (i.e., the interest rate) expressed as an annual rate. Incentives and Rebates An auto industry term that encompasses all methods by which manufacturers attempt to stimulate vehicle sales and leases by reducing the net cost to consumers without reducing the vehicles' MSRPs, which includes customer rebates, dealer cash incentives and special leases. Low-Interest Financing A loan offered by the manufacturer's captive finance company at a below-market interest rate. Eligibility is normally determined based on the customer's creditworthiness. Marketing Support An auto industry term that describes programs that manufacturers provide to stimulate sales or assist dealers in the advertising and marketing of their vehicles. The most common program is Dealer Cash Incentives. Special Leases Also referred to as a "subsidized lease" or "subvented lease." A form of "incentive and rebate" that consists of a vehicle lease offered by a vehicle manufacturer in which the amount of the monthly payment is reduced below that then offered by independent leasing companies (the cost of which is absorbed by the manufacturer). Typically this is accomplished by using a higher residual value or a lower interest rate, or both.

What is Invoice Pricing?

Invoice price (sometimes referred to as "dealer cost") is the price that appears on the invoice that the manufacturer sends to the dealer when the dealer receives a car from the factory.

Knowing the invoice price is a very important part of shopping for a new car.This is why we developed the True Market Value pricing system, which is our determination of what other consumers are actually paying for a vehicle. TMV accounts for the effect of all of the manufacturer's extra charges as well as the dealer's hidden subsidies, and we believe it is the most important price to know when negotiating your purchase.

Please note, however, that the invoice price is almost always higher than the amount the dealer actually ends up paying to the manufacturer. This results from a variety of discounts offered to the dealer that do not appear on the invoice. The two most common discounts are Dealer Holdback and Dealer Cash Incentives, and there are others that may be based on factors such as a dealer's sales volume for a particular month.

Also note that the invoice price does not reflect any manufacturer-to-consumer rebates, the destination charge or the tax, title, license, advertising or registration fees. For more on such fees, please see What Fees Should You Pay?

Sometimes the amount quoted as the invoice price includes the destination charge and sometimes it does not, so look closely. On Edmunds.com, we always make that clear.In the end, determining a dealer's actual net cost is difficult even for seasoned automotive insiders.

Invoice Price Discrepancies

Invoice prices on our site match the price listed in a booklet prepared by the vehicle manufacturer and distributed to its dealers commonly known as the "dealer order guide"; however, an individual dealer may add additional items such as advertising fees. (For more on dealer fees, see What Fees Should You Pay? )

Please note when comparing invoice prices that it's important to ensure the vehicles' styles and options are an exact match. For example, the invoice price of a Ford Fusion SPORT FWD (front-wheel drive) will be slightly less than the Ford Fusion SPORT AWD (all-wheel drive).

Also, regional pricing differences can be the cause of a discrepancy. For example, in the South and Southeast, large independent distributors control the pricing of Toyota vehicles, and they may set prices at different levels than those established by Toyota for the rest of the country. Similarly, in the Northeast, an independent company distributes Subaru vehicles and can influence pricing in that region.

Automatic Transmission (AT)

This is a transmission that uses a torque converter, planetary gearset and clutches or bands to shift through a vehicle's forward gears automatically. Some automatics allow the driver a limited amount of manual control over the vehicle (aside from choosing a forward, reverse or neutral mode) -- for example allowing the driver to control upshifts and downshifts by utilizing buttons or paddles on the steering wheel or the gear selector. Common names for such transmissions are "shiftable automatic," "Tiptronic" and "autostick." To learn more, see Automatic Transmissions: What Makes Them Work.

Manual Transmission (MT)

With a manual transmission, the driver selects all gears manually using both a movable gear selector and a driver-operated clutch. This type of transmission is also known as a "stick shift" or a "standard" transmission. See Manual Transmission Basics for more information.

Automated Manual Transmission (AM)

Like a manual transmission, an automated manual also employs a mechanical clutch; however, the action of the clutch is not controlled by the driver via the clutch pedal but rather is automated using electronic, pneumatic or hydraulic controls. Sometimes referred to as a "Direct Shift Gearbox" ("DSG") or a "Sequential Manual Gearbox" ("SMG"), this transmission allows for either fully automatic forward gear shifts or manual shifts through the gear selector or through buttons or paddles on the steering wheel.

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

This transmission has a continuously variable drive ratio (as opposed to conventionally stepped gear ratios) and uses belts, pulleys and sensors rather than gears to maintain a steady acceleration curve with no pauses for gear changes. Because of this, a CVT can keep the engine in its optimum power range, thereby increasing efficiency and gas mileage. You can get more information from CVT Enters the Mainstream.

To determine what a fair price would be for a used car for sale, either at a dealership or by a private seller, check our Appraisal tool for its True Market Value. This tool, which can be found by clicking Car Research at the top of our site and selecting Trade-In Value & Pricing, will show you the current Trade-In, Private Party, and Dealer Retail Values. Keep in mind the following:

Trade-In: Estimated value if you trade the car in at a dealer

Private Party: Estimated value if buying from a private seller

Dealer Retail: Estimated value if buying from a dealer

To find thevalue of your current car, useour Appraisal Tool, found by clicking "Sell My Car" at the top of our website.

The tool will give you estimates for the following values:

Trade-In: Estimated value if you trade the car in at a dealer

Private Party: Estimated value if buying from a private seller

Dealer Retail: Estimated value if buying from a dealer

*Please note that we only provide values for passenger vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, etc.) back to model year 1990. We do not provide values for motorcycles, RVs, boats, etc.

We are starting to add TMV data for used 2020 cars. However, if you aren't seeing a specific car listed, it's likely that we have not yet collected enough transaction data to create reliableTrue Market Value (TMV)pricing for it as a used 2020 vehicle. You can still arrive at an approximate value for such vehicles using the following method:

Calculate the new car TMV price for the vehicle in your ZIP Code

Deduct between 5% and 10% for general wear and tear

Subtract 10 cents per mile

These days, customers paying cash for new cars are no more attractive to car dealers than are those who wish to finance the purchase. In fact, the opposite is more likely to be true. That's because dealerships typically finance through one of several lending institutions (banks, credit unions, or the automaker's captive financing division) that pay them cash when a contract is presented. Plus, if dealerships do the financing on the buyer's behalf, they tend to make even more money, since they get a fee or can add a mark-up as additional profit. This is one reason you should always arrange financing before going to the dealership, and then ask the dealer if they can beat your pre-approved rate.

Cash can be an advantage for people who suffer from poor credit or have experienced a recent bankruptcy because it allows them to avoid the higher interest rates charged on sub-prime loans.

When appraising used GM vehicles, please note that the manufacturer has a history of turning optional equipment packages on certain models into a trim for that model in subsequent model years. For example, the LT Equipment Group was originally an option package available on the Chevrolet Tahoe LS for model years 2000 through 2006. But for the 2007 model year, vehicles so equipped were given a new trim designation, the Chevrolet Tahoe LT.

In cases like these, our Used Car Appraiser reflects the designation originally made by the manufacturer for the given model year -- so to obtain the most accurate appraisal for a 2006 model Chevrolet Tahoe, you would need to add each of the individual options contained in the LT Equipment Group during the appraisal process for the LS trim while for a 2007 model Tahoe you will need only to select the LT trim.

Please see the specific examples below for instructions on obtaining accurate appraisals for models that have undergone this transition.

LT Trim on Chevrolet Models

For model years 2000-2006 LT was an OPTION on the LS trim level for the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban.

For instance, a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe LT was originally configured as a Tahoe LS equipped with option 1SM LT Equipment Group per the dealer order guide.

In order to obtain an accurate appraisal estimate on our website, please select the LS trim level and add the following options, which were all included with the LT package:

5.3L Flex Fuel V8 OHV 16V FI Engine

AM/FM/CD Changer Audio System

Auto-Dim Exterior Mirror(s)

Driver's Seat Memory

Exterior Mirror Mounted Turn Signals

Front Bucket Seats

Heated Driver's Seat

Heated Passenger Seat

Intermittent Rear Window Wiper

Leather Seating

Locking Rear Differential

Power Adjustable Pedals

Power Driver's Seat

Lumbar Adjustment

Power Folding Exterior Mirrors

Power Front Passenger Seat

Power Passenger Seat

Lumbar Adjustment

Rear Audio Controls

Rear Cargo Cover

Removable Third Row Bench Seat

Satellite Communications

Satellite Radio System

Steering Wheel Audio Controls

Trip Computer

Tube-Type Side Steps

LTZ Trim on Chevrolet Models

For model years 2007-2011, LT became a trim level and LTZ was an OPTION on the LT trim level

As you may know, the LTZ is the top-of-the-line trim level for Chevrolet models, including the 1500 Avalanche, Silverado, 1500 Suburban, and Tahoe. LTZ was an optional equipment package available only on the LT trim level for model years 2007 to 2011. However, starting in 2012, LTZ became its own trim level due to its popularity.

To properly appraise a LTZ trim level truck that was produced between 2007 and 2011, you will need to add the following options, which were included in the LTZ Equipment Group (originally a $8,860 upgrade):

Remote engine starter

Garage door opener, Coming home device(Homelink)

Electric foldable mirrors

Leather seat upholstery with additional vinyl (3rd row only)

Front facing heated rear seats

Automatic rear suspension leveling

Bucket heated electrically adjustable driver and passenger seat with fore/aft adjustment, height adjustment, lumbar adjustment, five adjustments and tilt adjustment; Memorized adjustment with two settings and five driver's seat positions;

Driver door mirrors with automatic and automatic operation indicator lights, passenger door mirrors with automatic indicator lights;

Door entry light,

Front and rear tires with 275 mm tire width and 55% tire profile (20 inch rims)

Chrome exterior door handles

2nd row bench standard; 2nd row captain's chars optional

Air Conditioning - Automatic

6-Disc CD Changer/Satellite Radio

Power Adjustable Pedals

Head Curtain Side Impact Airbags

Bose Premium Audio System

Power Rear Door System

Locking Differential

Power 2nd row Seat Release

Third Row Seats, 50/50 Split Bench

Seats, Heated Second Row

Heated Windshield Washer Fluid System

Rain Sensing Wipers

Rear Parking Assist

SLT Trim on GMC Models

For model years 2000-2006 SLT was an OPTION on the SLE trim level for the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL.

For model years 2000-2006, the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL 1500 only had the SLE trim level, and SLT was technically a package added to the SLE trim, per the order guide. To properly appraise this vehicle, please select the SLE trim level, and add the following options on Step 2 (color and options) of the process:

5.3L Flex Fuel V8 OHV 16V FI Engine

AM/FM/CD Changer Audio System

Auto-Dim Exterior Mirror(s)

Driver's Seat Memory

Exterior Mirror Mounted Turn Signals

Front Bucket Seats

Heated Driver's Seat

Heated Passenger Seat

Intermittent Rear Window Wiper

Leather Seating

Locking Rear Differential

Power Adjustable Pedals

Power Driver's Seat

Lumbar Adjustment

Power Folding Exterior Mirrors

Power Front Passenger Seat

Power Passenger Seat

Lumbar Adjustment

Rear Audio Controls

Rear Cargo Cover

Removable Third Row Bench Seat

Satellite Communications

Satellite Radio System

Steering Wheel Audio Controls

Trip Computer

Tube-Type Side Steps

For GMC model years 2007-2008, SLT was still an OPTION on the SLE trim level. This was the next generation of the GMC models, so there were a few extra options. The SLT became a formal trim level in 2009.

Leather seating

Triple-zone automatic climate control

Six-disc CD changer

Power-adjustable pedals

Remote vehicle start

Rear parking assist

Turn-by-Turn navigation feature for the OnStar system

Bose sound system

12-way (vs. six-way) power/heated front seats

Power-folding mirrors with turn signals

50/50-split third-row seat

To get started, click on the Join link at the top of any Edmunds page. You can register by entering a valid email address and a password of your choice, or you can link using your existing Facebook or Google account (Edmunds will never post to your Facebook or Google account without your permission).

No, Edmunds TMV doesn't include taxes or fees as these can vary depending on what address the buyer registers the car at, what the dealership charges for the documentation fee, and additional taxes associated with the city/state you purchase the car in.

We highly recommend checking out our article, What Fees Should You Pay? as it estimates the average fees paid in each state.

A quick and easy way to find the True Market Value, as well as invoice pricing is by using our Build and Price tool here.

You can also go to Edmunds, at the top of the page, select "Car Reviews" and then select the make, model, and year of the vehicle you're interested in. You will be directed to the "Overview" page for the vehicle you selected.Scroll down to the the "build and price" link.

We do not have information on motorcycles, RVs, boats, or classic/vintage cars.Edmunds.com is an informational car shopping website that provides information on new and used cars dating back to the year 1990.

Resources that may be helpful:

NADA Guides has the ability to appraise classic cars, motorcycles, RVs, boats, and more. It may also be best to seek a professional appraiser and compare to what other similar vehicles are listed for.

When looking at other listings to get an understanding of pricing and what the market might look like, we also recommend eBay.

While we are not mechanics (we focus on making car buying an easy and enjoyable experience), we do offer a variety of tools and content to help you keep your vehicle in top shape.Car Maintenance Guide Our Maintenance Guide offers complete manufacturer-recommended service schedules for almost every vehicle from model year 1990 to the present. Once you select a vehicle, you can view its recommended service intervals as well as detailed descriptions of each recommended service -- including lists of items to be inspected, serviced or replaced; estimated parts and labor costs (tailored to your area); and comprehensive, easy-to-understand definitions of automotive terms. In addition, our Maintenance Guide includes information on any Recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the selected vehicle. Please note that our Maintenance Guide displays the manufacturer-recommended service schedules for "normal" driving conditions. Replacement parts (oil filters, air filters, etc) are priced using MSRP for parts sold by the vehicle's manufacturer. Also, our estimates do not include sales tax. Maintenance and How-To Articles Our Editors have written a wide selection of articles on vehicle maintenance and service that provide you with expert tips and instructions for taking care of your vehicle.Help from the Edmunds CommunityTake advantage of the vast expertise of our community by posting your maintenance and repair questions in Edmunds Answers or by joining a discussion in our Maintenance & Repair Forum.Find a Dealer Service Center Near You When you need the help of a professional, use Find a Dealer to get locations, phone numbers and consumer ratings and reviews of dealership service centers near you.

Edmunds bases its True Market Value (TMV) estimations on actual sales transaction data of similarly-equipped vehicles in the same region. On top of using actual sales, we take into account factors such as a vehicle's location, color, mileage, condition and options to help deliver a more accurate estimation of the vehicle's value.

Unfortunately, we can't speak for how KBB, NADA, and other sites calculate their values. Most likely, the difference in estimations come from the algorithm each company uses to compute their values and the data they're basing the calculations off of.

You'll want to ask yourself if you like the car. If you do, the next step is to look at your lease contract and find the buyout price. Then compare that to the True Market Value of your car (look at dealer retail and private party) to see if the buyout price is lower. If it is, it's a good deal.

All things considered equal, ordered vehicles cost no more than vehicles in dealer stock and, in some cases, may actually cost less. When you buy from dealer stock, you may have to settle for a vehicle with either more or less equipment or your second or third color choice. Moreover, the dealership pays interest on stocked vehicles at a predetermined monthly rate to the manufacturer. When you factory order, you get exactly what you want, in the color you want, and the dealer doesnt have any finance charges -- which may reduce the cost to you. The downside to ordering is that incentives and rebates are good only on the day of delivery, unless stated otherwise (in writing) by the dealer. In other words, if an incentive or rebate program is in effect when the vehicle is ordered -- but not in effect on the day of delivery -- the customer is usually ineligible for the incentive or rebate. If you order a vehicle, and the delivery date is very close to the expiration date of a rebate or incentive program, note that the dealer may try to delay delivery until after the rebate or incentive has expired. Also keep in mind that a dealer will be less likely to negotiate on a model thats a hot seller. But if the model youre seeking has been gathering dust on the sales floor, you may be able score a great deal.

There are many fees you can come across while buying a car. Fees can vary by state and the dealer you purchase the car from. To see a breakdown of fees by state and what fees we recommend and don't recommend paying, go here.

The content and data published by Edmunds focuses on vehicles built for the U.S. market*. As a result, features such as True Market Value (TMV) and True Cost to Own (TCO) and New Car Listings are available only for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. If you are outside the U.S (or in Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory), you can of course still use Edmunds to research general information about vehicles in which you are interested. Please note, however, that you may be prompted on certain pages of our site to input a U.S. ZIP (Post) Code. If so, we suggest entering one of the ZIP Codes of a major U.S. city such as New York (10001) or Los Angeles (90001) -- or, if you are in Canada or Mexico, entering a ZIP Code of the U.S. city nearest to you.

Canadian car shoppers can also refer to one or more of the following sites for information specific to the Canadian market:

Canadian Black Book

autoTRADER.ca

VMR Canada

Autonet.ca

*Edmunds does occasionally publish news about notable vehicles sold outside the U.S., such as the Holden Ute, particularly when we believe the vehicle would be of interest to automotive enthusiasts.

A "demo car" is one used by the dealership as a demonstrator to potential buyers. In addition, dealership personnel sometimes use demo cars as personal transportation. A "program car" is one that was owned by the manufacturer and given to employees for a short time to use for company business and later purchased at auction by the dealership. Sometimes former rental cars turn up on used car lots advertised as "program cars"; this will be revealed if you run a vehicle identification number (VIN) check using a service such asCARFAX or AutoCheck.

Thank you for reaching out to Edmunds. In general, we encourage the use of editorial content and graphics from our site, but only with our consent. Consent is considered and granted on a case-by-case basis. All items must be attributed to Edmunds.

To make a request, please email [email protected] and include the following information:

The purpose of the request, including the medium in which the logo, link, quote, accolade or article or review will appear

Draft advertising copy and creative whenever possible

For quotes/article requests, please include the specific URL of the source

When applicable, the exact model (including model year) of the vehicle(s) to be promoted

The name, organization and e-mail address of the person to whom the consent or request for additional information should be sent

This article covers the following:

Answers to some of the most common questions we get from dealerships about Dealer Ratings and Reviews

For additional information, see the following resources:

Edmunds Dealer Ratings & Reviews: General FAQs

Find a Dealership

Edmunds Visitor Agreement

Dealer Support

How can our dealership improve its reputation on Edmunds?

In our experience, weve found three keys to earning a top reputation in online reviews:

Focus on delivering great customer service at your business.

Ask your customers to contribute reviews.

Use negative feedback as an opportunity to show customers how well you respond to any problems they may have.

Check out these resources for additional details and insights:

What Motivates Car Shoppers to Write 5-Star Reviews?

How Star Ratings and Review Content Influence Purchase

You Don't Want a 5-Star Review

How to Get Your Customers to Write Rave Reviews about You

Why Negative Reviews Don't Have To Be a Bad Thing

How is our dealerships overall star rating determined?

Your overall star rating is aggregated from all reviews posted in the last two years -- specifically, beginning from the first day of the current month going backward to the same date two years ago. For example, if todays date is 10/1/2018, the stars include all reviews from 10/1/2016 to today. Once a review is over two years old, its rating is no longer reflected in the overall star rating.

Why doesn't Edmunds display our reviews from other sites like Yelp or Google?

We only publish reviews that meet our rigorous standards for authenticity. Since we have no control over how other review sites evaluate their content, we cannot verify the authenticity of the reviews they publish.

Why doesnt Edmunds allow reviews from employees or their relatives?

Friends, relatives and business associates typically have a bias in favor of the establishment being reviewed. Most other top reviews sites (like Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.) have a similar prohibition.

How do I sign up to respond to reviews?

No registration is required in order to respond to your reviews. Simply select a display name that represents you or your dealership, enter a valid email address, and the text of your comment.

What if someone not associated with our business posts a comment to a review claiming to be a representative of the dealership?

We review all comments posted to ensure validity. However, if you find a comment in response to a review representing the dealership that you believe was not posted by the dealership, click the Report it link beneath the comment, and our Reviews Team will investigate and remove the comment if necessary.

The customerisn'ttelling the truth about what happened. Can we have this review removed?

Edmunds does not remove reviews in response to allegations that they are inaccurate or misleading. Rather, we advise you to explain your side of the story by adding a comment to any review that you disagree with. Shoppers are more likely to trust businesses with a few well-handled negative reviews than those with no negative reviews at all.

We had a misunderstanding with a customer and they posted a bad review. We reached out and resolved the issue to the customers satisfaction. Will you remove the bad review?

No, we do not remove a review for that reason. However, one update to the published review is allowed in order to provide information concerning their resolution with the dealership, to retract or correct anything in the original review, and select a star rating that reflects their current perspective.We believe an updated review is beneficial to other consumers researching your business as it is a testament as to how your dealership handles customer disputes. If your customers need assistance with this process, please direct them to the Edmunds Help Center.

A consumer submitted a review for our dealership, but it was intended for a different business. How do we get it removed?

We have the ability to move the review to the correct business. Please contact your assigned Account Executive for assistance, or send an email via Edmunds Help Center with your request. Be sure to include a link to the review(s) and the full name of the dealership you believe it should be assigned to.

We believe a review was submitted by a competitor or ex-employee. Will you remove it as fraudulent?

We have a policy of not posting a review that we know, or have reason to believe, is not a genuine reflection of a consumer's experience at a dealership. We are happy to investigate reviews you believe to be fraudulent. Please alert your Edmunds Account Executive if this should happen, and, to assist in our investigation, provide as many specific details as you can.

Why can't we offer minor compensation (discount coupons or a free oil change) as an incentive for someone to write a review?

We do not accept compensated reviews, since the offer of compensation may affect what the reviewer would have otherwise written. Most other top reviews sites (like Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.) have a similar prohibition.

Our dealership is under new management. Will you remove all of the old reviews from the previous management?

Please contact your Edmunds Account Executive for assistance with this process, or email Dealer Support.

Our customers' reviews are not being published or have been removed. Why?

There are many possible reasons why your customers' reviews are not being published or have been removed. The most efficient way to inquire is to contact your assigned Edmunds Account Executive and ask that they request an investigation.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact your assigned Edmunds Account Executive oremail Dealer Support.

In August of 2018, we updated our forums login system to leverage our new Edmunds.com Insider system. Please follow the instructions below to get set up in the forums.

Scenario A: I don't yet have an Insider account associated with my email address(and I'm either new to the forums, or haven't signed in since August 2018)

No problem! We need to get you signed up for Insider.

Step 1: Click the Sign Up or Register button shown next to the purple arrow below

Step 2: Enter the email address you use for forums in the box

Step 3: Click Sign Up with Email

Step 4: You'll be asked to enter your name and choose a password - the minimum requirement for Insider is 7 characters, so you will have to select a new password if your existing password is shorter. Your first/last name won't be visible to anyone except you.

Step 5: If you have previously posted in the forums, your existing screen name will merge automatically, and you'll be directed to forums as usual. If you have NOT previously posted in the forums, you will be directed to a screen to select a unique screen name that will be associated with your forums posts.

Scenario B: I already have an Insider account associated with my email address(and I'm either new to the forums, or haven't signed in since August 2018)

Great!Simply choose the Sign In option from the pop-up (outlined in purple below), and your screen name and/profile will be merged.

If you have any issues, please contact us.

The Edmunds Suggested Price iswhat we suggest the consumer should pay for the car (not including taxes or fees). The estimate is based on our analysis of millions of data points, including supply, demand, incentives, options and recent nearby transactions.

The Edmunds Suggested Price can be found directly below the MSRP on each listing.

Please click here and complete the form to opt out from any future emails from Edmunds. Please note that this will only unsubscribe you from receiving emails from Edmunds.

Email Newsletters from Edmunds

Look for the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email newsletter. Click that link and, on the page that opens, confirm your request.

Trouble with Unsubscribing

If you are having trouble unsubscribing from emails or notifications from Edmunds, please send us a note explaining the problem. Make sure to tell us what you'd like to be unsubscribed from (newsletters, price drops, etc.) and include the email address you wish to have unsubscribed. We will get back to you right away.

Emails from a Car Dealership or its Sales Staff

Please contact the dealership directly to request that your email address be removed from their contact management system. Feel free to use our Dealer search tool to look up the dealership's contact information.

Email Alerts from Edmunds Forums

Please visit the Getting Started in Forums discussion to learn how to remove an email alert you have enabled for the Edmunds Forums.

No. Edmunds does not provide Historical True Market Value.We have pulled our Historical TMV service as of April 1, 2016 due to very high demand and limited resources for a service that isn't necessarily our business goal, which is to help car buyers throughout the shopping process.

We've found that NADA Guides offers this service and it appears they sell individual reports for $100.

To purchase a repair or service manual, we suggest calling or visiting the parts counter at your local dealer. Feel free to use our Dealer Search tool to find contact information for dealers in your area. You can also find a wide variety of repair manuals for sale online at the following vendors:

http://www.autorepairmanuals.biz/

http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/

Another good source is eBay Motors, where you can search for new or used manuals.

In most cases, your local dealer is the best place to obtain a replacement key or key fob for your vehicle. Feel free to use our Dealer Search tool to locate a dealer near you. Please note that you may be required to provide proof of ownership (such as a picture I.D. plus the vehicle's title or registration)in order to obtain the replacement.There are also some third-party vendors from which you can obtain a replacement key fob, including the following:

http://www.keyless-remotes.com/

http://www.keylessride.com/

http://www.autotransponder.com/

For additional information and advice on this subject, please see The High Cost of Losing Your Keys.

A general rule of thumb is no more than 20% of your take home pay. However, everyone has a different budget, lifestyle, and needs. We recommend our Edmunds' Auto Affordability Calculator to help you determine your budget.

After signing in, add vehicles to your account by selecting the heart next to the vehicle you wish to save. To remove the vehicle, click on the heart again, or visit your dashboard and remove the vehicle by clicking X on the vehicle card.

Pop Up Ads

Pop up ads are annoying and disrupt your ability to browse the internet without interruptions. If you are receivingpop up ads, it may be because of an extension on your internet browser.

To fix the issue, you will need to disable the extension that is causing the pop up ad. To disable it, you will need to go to your browser settings and find the "extensions" option in the menu. The location of this menu will vary depending on the browser you're using. Here is an example of where to access the extensions on Google Chrome:

Most of the time, the source of the pop up ad can be identified by clicking on the ad. On the bottom left of the page you will see the name of the extension that's the source of the pop up ad. Disabling the extension associated with that name should disable future pop ups from occurring. In the case below, it was a "Smart Speedtest" extension that enabled the pop up ads.

Edmunds is not able to provide True Market Value (TMV) pricing for demo vehicles because there is very little transaction data available for them. However, you can use the following method to arrive at an approximate value:

Calculate the TMV price for a comparably-equipped new vehicle of the same Make, Model and Style.

Consult our Incentives and Rebates area to determine if any new car incentives or rebates are currently available for the vehicle; if so, apply them.

Deduct at least 20 cents for every mile the car has been driven. This figure is compensation for the mileage driven and also for wear and tear on the vehicle.

If you'd like to delete your account, please contact us. If you're looking to unsubscribe from Edmunds emails, please click here.

Question

Does Edmunds provide an escrow service where they hold/ship/handle the transaction of a car?

Answer

No - Edmunds does not sell vehicles, authorize private party sales, or offer an escrow service. Quite a few websites have recently surfaced using the logo, style, and design of Edmunds to promote an online escrow service.This is a known scam.

The only official Edmunds site is edmunds.com.Check that edmunds.com is the domain meaning that edmunds.com should appear at the very end of the URL, or just before any forward slash. Here is an example of an edmunds.com URL: https://help.edmunds.com/hc/en-us. Here is an example of a URL that is not from our company: http://www.edmunds.com.us.info-vehicle.com.The foregoing also applies to any email address to which you are asked to respond. If you come across a website or an email address that you believe to be Edmunds, but you are unsure, please contact us at [email protected].

Edmunds is a US-based company and does not hold an office in the UK. If you are speaking to someone who you believe to be anEdmunds representative, please be sure to check their email address. All authorized Edmunds employees will have an edmunds.com email domain and not an address with ahyphenated domain such as [email protected].

If you are currently working with someone that you believe is affiliated with this scam, we encourage you to cease all communication as soon as possible. If you have sent payment, please be sure to contact your bank immediately to see if they can reverse this.

For more information, as well as tips on how to spot online scams, please read the following article: https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/online-car-buying-fraud.html

If you feel compelled, feel free to file a complaint on these sites:

https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx and https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/GettingStarted?NextQID=213&Url=%23%26panel1-2#crnt

If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Care Team via email at [email protected]. We are available Monday-Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM PST.

Please contact us to let us know that you are having technical problems with Edmunds. You can help us troubleshoot the issue by including some or all of the following details:

The type of device you're using (e.g. Dell laptop, MacBook, Android tablet, iPhone 8, X, XS etc.)

The device's current operating system (e.g. Windows Vista, Apple OS X, etc.)

The Web browser you're using (e.g. Internet Explorer 11, Firefox 76, Safari 12, etc.)

The URL (Web address) and/or a screenshot of the page where you experience the issue.

When we get your note, we will start investigating and get back to you as soon as possible.In the meantime, you may want to try some of the following solutions that have worked for other customers having technical problems:

Try using a different Web browser or upgrading your existing browser to the latest version.

Clear the temporary stored data (cache) from your Web browser.*

Reset your Web browser to its default settings.*

*If you need help with your Web browser, please visit the appropriate support page below:

Internet Explorer help

Firefox help

Safari help

Chrome help

Opera help

Step 1: Click this link Step 2: Click on "Already have an account/Sign in"Step 3: Click on "Forgot password", and enter email addressStep 4: Check your email for the reset link

The combination of letters and numbers shown with a particular vehicle style (or trim) on Edmunds indicates 1) the engine's displacement size and cylinder count and 2) the transmission's gear count and shifting type that are standard equipment on that style -- for example:

Select the "Account" tab. To change your personal information, please select "edit personal information" on the left side of the page. To adjust your personal information, make the necessary changes then select the green "Save Changes" button.

To change your password, select the "password" from the menu on the left. You will need to enter your current password then enter and confirm (re-type) your new password.

To adjust your email subscriptions settings, please select "email subscriptions" on the left side of the page. After adjusting your insider email settings, please select the green "save changes" button.

Edmunds typically does not list specific option packages for used vehicles but instead lists the individual features that an original option package originally contained. That's because used car shoppers may not be aware that a Sports Package (for example) was available on a particular car when it was new, but they can easily see whether the car has a sunroof and spoiler. Also, please note that we do not always list every option for used cars. If a specific option seems to be missing from our site, it is most likely for one of the following reasons:

the option's original cost was small and thus does not have an impact on the vehicles current value

the option was a dealer-installed or aftermarket option*

the option may not be available for all styles within a vehicle model line

*Dealer-installed or aftermarket options can vary widely in original cost and quality, and so we have no reliable method to calculate how much value they add. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Have a car shopping question? Head over to our forums by clicking here.

You can find Maximum Towing Capacity for most vehicles on Edmunds by viewing the vehicle's Specs page, which can be accessed by following these steps:

1. Select "Car Reviews" on our homepage

How to Contact Your Vehicle Manufacturer

2. Choose the make, model, and year of the car

3. Scroll down to "See all features and specs" link

4. Scroll down to "Measurements"

We also offer the following articles related to towing:

How to Tow a Trailer

What Cars Can Be Flat-Towed Behind an RV?

Top 10 Vehicles for Towing

How to Choose the Right Axle Ratio for Your Pickup Truck

If you have specific questions about towing your vehicle or using it for towing, we suggest consulting the vehicle's owner's manual or contacting the vehicle's manufacturer directly. For a list of manufacturer Contact Us pages, please see .

I'm trying to appraise my Honda/Acura but it's not showing any options

Unlike most manufacturers, which offer individual options or option packages on their vehicles, Honda and Acura only offer different Styles -- i.e. differently-equipped versions of the same model. In other words, product planners at Honda or Acura choose the various features to be included on each of their Styles, and (with the exception of dealer-installed options) dealers or consumers cannot separately add new or different ones.

For example, Honda offers the following Styles for the 2013 Honda Fit :

Base (manual transmission)

Base (automatic transmission)

Sport (manual transmission)

Sport (automatic transmission)

Sport w/Navigation (automatic transmission)

In this case, there are a few, obvious features that differentiate the model's Styles, specifically the transmission type and the availability of a navigation system. (To see everything that's included with each Style, you will need to click the "View All Features & Specs" link associated with each Style and then review the list provided.)Note: you may find it helpful to use our Car Comparison tool to reveal all of the differences between Styles. For example,hereis a comparison of three different Styles of the Honda Fit. Also, please note that dealer-installed options and accessories offered by Honda and Acura dealers, such as back-up sensors or all-weather floor mats, vary from dealer to dealer and region to region; accordingly, Edmunds is not able to provide information or pricing about them.

You can search for any car review by going to the "Car Reviews" tab at the top of the page. From there, you can select the make, model, and year. This will bring you to the overview page of the car you selected.

Want to see how we rank each class of vehicle? Go to the "Car Reviews" tab then scroll down to the rankings.To see the full list for each body style, select the blue link (ex. "See SUV rankings").

Becoming an Edmunds Insider allows you to save and share your research, receive price alerts for vehicles that you're interested in, and get personalized shopping and vehicle information.

Edmunds can help you buy smarter

Edmunds.com is the place to go to when you're shopping for a car and you want to buy smarter. You can discover, price, and buy a car with our website. Here are some tools to get you started:

Discover a car - Tools such as our Car Finder and Comparison tool can help you get started

Price a car - Learn about True Market Value

Buy a car - Find local inventory on our site. When you find a car you like, contact the dealership to buy the car

Where is Edmunds located?

Edmunds is headquartered in Santa Monica, California. Our website can help you buy a car in the United States through our large network of dealerships. These dealerships partner with us to list their inventory on our site.

If you'd like to learn more about Edmunds, please click here.

Edmunds is not a dealership

While Edmunds is not a dealership, we can help connect you with a local dealership. Whether you're looking for sales or service, check out our Dealer Reviews section to find a local dealership. Edmunds also does not buy cars since we are not a dealership.

We do not provide pricing for model years prior to 1990. Due to the wide variability in their value based on a number of factors, we are unable to derive fair and meaningful values for them. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.We suggest looking at the prices at which owners are offering to sell those vehicles on AutoTrader or AutoTrader Classics. Alternatively, you can use the Advanced Search tool oneBay Motorsand select "Show completed listings only" to see what actual buyers have been paying.For help pricing antique, classic or specialty models, we suggest consulting one of the variety of publications dedicated to them, such as "Sports Car Market" or "Hemmings Motor News," which you can find at most local bookstores and newsstands.