Written by Deborah Marie Wedemeyer
I’m Deborah at Testarossa Motors in League City. The buyer’s order is the sheet that shows exactly what you’ll pay. I’d rather you understand every line before you sign, so here’s what each one means.
Start with the out-the-door price
Ask any dealer for the out-the-door price: the vehicle price plus tax, fees, and any add-ons. That’s the number to compare, not the sticker.
Motor vehicle sales tax (6.25%)
Texas charges 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on the sales price minus any trade-in allowance. The math: (price minus trade-in) times 0.0625. A dealer collects it and sends it to the county. On a dealer sale it’s based on your actual price, not the state’s “standard presumptive value.”
Title fee
The Texas title application fee on our buyer’s orders is $33.
Registration
Base registration for a car or light truck is $50.75. Add the $1 TexasSure fee and it’s $50.75 + $1 = $51.75, plus local county fees that vary. More in our registration cost guide.
License plate fee
Dealers now put metal plates on at the sale. The dealer-issued plate fee is $10. See Texas dealer license plates.
Documentary fee ($225 at Testarossa Motors)
A doc fee covers the dealer’s cost of preparing and processing the title, registration, and sale paperwork. Our documentary fee is $225.
Other lines you might see
Ask for an itemized written out-the-door quote; other fees vary by county and vehicle.
Optional products (service contracts, GAP) are optional; ask what each one is and its cost before agreeing.
How to read your buyer’s order
Check the VIN, year, make, model, and miles match the car. Check every fee line. Ask about anything you don’t recognize before you sign.
More Questions About Fees
How much is the documentary fee at Testarossa Motors in League City?
Testarossa Motors charges a $225 documentary fee on every vehicle sale. It covers preparing and processing your title, registration, and sale paperwork. The fee is the same whether you pay cash or finance, and it appears as its own line on your buyer’s order so you can see it before you sign.
What will the government fees be on a used car I buy in Texas?
On a Texas dealer sale the state lines are 6.25% sales tax on price minus trade-in, a $33 title fee, $50.75 base registration ($51.75 with the $1 TexasSure fee) and a $10 dealer-issued plate fee. Local county fees can vary, so ask Testarossa Motors for your itemized total.
Why doesn’t the dealer just quote me the sticker price plus tax?
Sticker plus tax leaves out the title, registration, plate, and documentary fees, so it understates what you will pay. Asking for a written, itemized out-the-door quote shows every line in one place. At Testarossa Motors that quote includes the $225 documentary fee and the state and county fees for your vehicle.
Do I pay the doc fee and other fees if I trade in a car?
Yes. The $225 documentary fee and the title, registration, and plate fees still apply when you trade in. A trade-in helps with sales tax, though: Texas charges the 6.25% on the price minus your trade-in allowance, so a larger trade-in lowers the tax line on your buyer’s order.
FAQ
$225.
Yes, 6.25% of the price minus trade-in.
Yes, call (281) 332-6568.