Know the numbers before you sign.
Enter the numbers from your vehicle deal. We'll show you what's driving the score—and what to look at before you sign.
Calculate Your Deal
You can use approximate numbers. This is a decision-support tool—not financial or legal advice. Your numbers are used to calculate your score in this browser.
* Required to calculate a score
📋 Going to the dealership? Open the printable dealer numbers checklist →
📋 What numbers should I get from the dealer?
Open the printable dealer numbers checklist →
- Vehicle selling price
- Out-the-door price
- Trade-in value and exact loan payoff
- Down payment
- Dealer add-ons and fees
- APR and loan term
- Monthly payment
🚙 Vehicle
Important: Vehicle price is the selling price of the vehicle. It is not necessarily the same as the out-the-door price. Ask the dealer for the complete out-the-door price, including taxes, title, registration, fees and add-ons, before signing.
💡 Need help estimating market value?
Compare this vehicle using its exact year, make, model, trim, mileage and condition.
Research the vehicle's value:
These are third-party estimates. Values can differ based on mileage, condition, equipment and local market conditions. Use the results as a reference—not a guarantee.
Enter your best-supported estimate above. Don't use the dealer's asking price as the market value.
💰 Financing
💡 Need help checking the financing?
Compare the APR you're being offered with rates available from a bank or credit union. A lower APR can save you significant money over the life of the loan.
Also check the loan term. A longer term can lower the monthly payment, but may increase the total interest you pay.
Compare current auto-loan rates:
Bankrate — Current Auto Loan Rates →
NerdWallet — Auto Loan Resources →
These are comparison resources, not guarantees of the rate you will qualify for. Your credit profile, vehicle, loan term and lender can affect your actual APR.
👤 Your affordability picture
🔄 Trade-In
💡 How does my trade-in affect this deal?
Compare your trade-in's value with what you still owe on the old loan. If you owe more than the vehicle is worth, the difference is negative equity and may be added to your new loan. If the vehicle is worth more than you owe, the remaining trade credit reduces our estimated amount financed. Confirm how the dealer applies it.
Ask the dealer to show exactly how your trade-in value, loan payoff and any negative equity are reflected in the final paperwork.
A higher trade-in value does not necessarily mean you're getting a better deal. Look at the complete transaction, including the new vehicle price and financing.
📋 Deal extras
Optional products or services added to the deal. Ask which ones you can decline.
Check the buyer's order to see exactly what each fee is for.
Taxes, title and dealer checks (optional)
We add the selling price, add-ons, dealer fees and listed government charges to estimate the out-the-door price before a down payment or trade-in. Enter the dealer's quote to compare. Financed government charges also affect the payment and score.
Enter 0 if a tax or government charge doesn't apply. Use the selling price, dealer add-ons and dealer fees above; don't enter them again.
🧭 How It Works
Enter your deal numbers
Use the numbers from the dealer's worksheet or your best estimates.
We analyze the deal
The calculator looks at vehicle price, financing, affordability and deal structure.
Review the score
See what's driving the score, along with specific things to review before signing.
Make your own decision
Use the information to ask better questions and decide what you're comfortable with.
📚 Learn the Numbers
APR
APR is the cost of borrowing. We compare it with an estimated benchmark based on vehicle condition and credit profile.
Loan Term
A lower payment can hide a much longer loan and significantly more interest.
Negative Equity
Rolling old debt into a new loan can make the new deal much more expensive.
Add-ons
Optional products can add thousands. Ask what each item costs and whether it is required.
Category Floors
Weak categories retain a small floor so different bad deals do not all collapse to zero.
Critical Red Flags
Certain severe risks can cap the overall score because strengths elsewhere should not completely cancel them out.
Start with the full price
See which charges belong in a dealer's out-the-door quote, then compare the itemized total with the calculator.
Read the out-the-door price guide →Checking the extras on a quote? See which dealer add-ons you can decline →
Owe more than your trade is worth? Read the negative-equity guide →
Going to the dealership? Bring the dealer numbers checklist →
🗣️ Questions to Ask at the Dealership
What is the total out-the-door price?
Ask for the complete price, including taxes, fees, add-ons, and other charges.
What is my APR and loan term?
Ask for the exact interest rate and number of months, not just the monthly payment.
How much will I pay in interest?
Ask for the total finance charge and total amount you will pay over the life of the loan.
What are you giving me for my trade?
Ask for the trade-in value and the exact payoff amount on your old loan.
Which add-ons are optional?
Ask what each add-on costs and whether you can decline it.
Can I take the paperwork home to review?
You should be able to review the final numbers before signing.
About Don't Sign This Yet
We're not here to tell you what to do. We're here to help you understand what you're agreeing to.
This tool organizes the information you enter and highlights areas that appear worth reviewing. It does not guarantee that a deal is good or bad and cannot replace reading your contract or obtaining professional advice.
About the provisional Version 1.4 engine
Version 1.4 retains the Version 1.3 payment and scoring rules and limits the overall score to 69 when affordability is 5 out of 25 or lower. This prevents a green verdict when the listed payment, transportation costs and cash reserves produce a very low affordability score. Entered financed taxes, title and government fees affect the payment and affordability estimate. Confirm the actual amount financed on the contract.