Guide · Built by an F&I Manager
How to read a buyer's order
The buyer's order (sometimes called a purchase agreement or deal worksheet) is where every number on your deal is written down. Reading it carefully catches most problems.
What a buyer's order is
A buyer's order is the dealer's itemized summary of your purchase: the car, the price, every fee and add-on, taxes, your trade-in, and the total. If you're financing, the separate retail installment contract shows the APR, term, amount financed and payment. The numbers on both should agree. Layouts vary by dealer and state, but the sections below appear on almost all of them.
Section 1: Buyer and vehicle
- Your name and address, spelled correctly.
- Year, make, model, trim, and the VIN. Match the VIN to the car itself (windshield or door jamb).
- New or used, and the odometer reading.
Section 2: Price
- MSRP (new cars). Should match the window sticker.
- Selling price. Should match the price you negotiated.
- Discounts and rebates. Make sure every incentive you were promised appears.
- Market adjustment / ADM. Any amount over MSRP is pure dealer markup.
Section 3: Add-ons and accessories
Look for pre-installed items like nitrogen tires, window tint, VIN etching, door edge guards, paint or fabric protection, or "protection packages." These are dealer add-ons and are optional. Also watch for F&I products (service contracts, GAP) appearing here; they belong on the contract only if you chose them. See F&I add-ons.
Section 4: Fees
- Destination / freight. Should match the window sticker and appear once.
- Doc fee. A dealer fee; amount and caps vary by state. See Is this doc fee normal?
- Title, registration, plate fees. Government fees; should follow your state's schedule.
- Other dealer fees (prep, reconditioning, admin). Ask what each is for. See Is this dealer fee legit?
Section 5: Taxes
Check the tax rate and the amount it's applied to. In many states the taxable amount is reduced by your trade-in value; in some it isn't. Rebates may or may not be taxable depending on the state.
Section 6: Trade-in
- Trade allowance: what they're giving you for your car.
- Payoff: what you owe on it.
- Net trade: allowance minus payoff. A negative number is negative equity being added to your deal.
Section 7: Totals
- Total / cash price: your out-the-door price.
- Down payment and deposits, credited correctly.
- Balance due or amount to finance.
The 30-second check: selling price + add-ons + fees + tax − rebates − net trade − down payment should roughly equal the amount financed, before any F&I products. If the contract's amount financed is higher, ask what was added.
Then check the financing contract
On the retail installment contract, confirm the APR, term, amount financed, finance charge and payment. Make sure the payment matches your own math. If it's higher, something may be packed in. Our free checker computes the payment from your numbers and flags a mismatch.
What to say
"What is this charge, and is it required by the state or optional? If it's optional, please remove it and reprint the order."
"This doesn't match the quote you emailed me. Can we go line by line?"
Next: What to say in the finance office
Ask for it early
You don't have to wait until the finance office to see the buyer's order. Ask for a printed or emailed copy as soon as you agree on numbers at the sales desk, and review it before you sit down to sign. It's much easier to fix a mistake while you're still negotiating than after the contract is drawn up. Keep a copy of the final signed version with your loan paperwork.
FAQ
What is a buyer's order?
A buyer's order is the dealer's itemized summary of a car purchase, listing the vehicle, selling price, add-ons, fees, taxes, trade-in figures and total due.
What should I check on a buyer's order?
Check the VIN, selling price, rebates, add-ons, every fee, the tax rate, trade allowance and payoff, down payment and the total or amount financed against what you agreed to.
Is the buyer's order the same as the loan contract?
No. The buyer's order summarizes the purchase. If you finance, the retail installment contract shows the APR, term, amount financed and payment. The numbers should agree.
Snap it or type the numbers. The free checker circles junk fees, add-ons and payment packing in about a minute. Nothing is uploaded.
Check my deal free →Educational only, not financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and lender practices vary by state, lender and vehicle. Any examples use illustrative numbers. Verify with your state, lender and the final contract. Last updated October 17, 2026.