Car Dealer Quotation in India: Every Line Explained

This is the vehicle price including GST, before registration and insurance. It is set by the manufacturer for a city, and dealers do not usually have room to change it. In our example it is ₹5,99,400. Check that the variant, gearbox, fuel and colour on the quotation match the car you test-drove. A different variant code can explain why two quotes look different.

Road tax follows the registering state’s applicable rules for the vehicle and owner. As shown on our price page, the Wagon R VXi AGS example includes ₹94,147 of road tax. The rate depends on the vehicle price and fuel type, so a more expensive variant can cost proportionally more. Ask the dealer or RTO which rate applies to your variant.

Registration, high-security number plates (HSRP), smart card and processing are a separate small line. We budget ₹2,860 for this and describe it as an allowance rather than an itemised RTO fee schedule. Government fees follow the applicable schedule, but a combined dealer allowance may also contain non-government charges. Separate those before comparing quotes. If a dealer adds a large "registration" figure, ask for the breakup.

Third-party liability cover is required for vehicles used on public roads, as explained by IRDAI. Own-damage cover, policy term and add-ons need separate checks. Our example budgets ₹25,031 using the catalogue’s insurance planning method, including GST. It is not an insurer quote or a verified tariff for every required policy term. Read the current insurance assumptions and confirm the final cover and premium with the insurer.

What to ask:

• Which insurer, and is the dealer's insurer mandatory? Check with the dealer whether you can buy from an insurer of your choice.
• What add-ons are bundled (zero depreciation, engine protect, return to invoice, consumables)? Each is optional.
• What term of third-party cover is included? Ask the insurer for the policy term in writing.

Some purchases above a threshold attract tax collected at source (TCS) from the seller. Check with your dealer or tax adviser whether it applies to your purchase and on what amount. Where it applies, it is generally adjustable against your income tax rather than a dealer fee, but confirm this with your tax adviser. Our estimates budget 1% TCS where the ex-showroom price exceeds ₹10 lakh. That is a planning convention; confirm the actual sale consideration and eligibility with the dealer. The Income Tax Department’s TCS table explains the motor-vehicle rule.

FASTag and small documentation charges are usually a few hundred rupees. We budget ₹850. Confirm the FASTag is activated and linked to the correct vehicle number before you collect the car.

Some quotations carry a line called handling, logistics, processing, administration or documentation. These are dealer charges rather than government ones. They are not part of the ex-showroom price and are the first line to question. Ask what the charge covers and whether it is waived when you ask. Some dealers will, some will not. Our estimates do not include dealer handling or logistics charges, so anything here is on top of the on-road figure on our site.

Accessories such as mats, seat covers, mud flaps, a touchscreen or a coating are optional. If the quotation lists them as one "accessories package", ask for each item and its price, and ask whether any item is required for the car to be delivered. Almost none is. Remove what you do not want and compare again.

Extended warranty and a prepaid maintenance plan are optional products. They may be sensible for high-mileage buyers who plan to keep the car. Ask whether it can be bought later, and what it covers, before agreeing.

Discounts should appear as negative lines with a name and conditions. Exchange bonuses apply only if you trade in a car, loyalty bonuses only if you already own that brand, and some finance-linked benefits apply only if you take the dealer's loan. Treat a conditional discount as a different offer from a cash discount. We can show you what other buyers have been quoted on our public quote library, but no site can promise the lowest price, and neither will we.

1. Please write the exact variant, fuel, gearbox and colour on the quotation.
2. Please list each charge on its own line.
3. Which items are optional, and what is the price if I remove them?
4. Which insurer and cover is included?
5. How long is this quote valid, and is the delivery date confirmed in writing?
6. Is any discount tied to an exchange, finance or corporate scheme?

To check a quote against a neutral estimate, use our on-road price calculator, read on-road vs ex-showroom price, and see how we calculate prices on our methodology page. You can also line up your quote with the quote comparison tool or browse real examples in the quote library.

Is the on-road price the same as the amount I pay? Not always. On-road price covers the vehicle, road tax, registration and the stated insurance allowance. Accessories, extended warranty, handling charges and add-ons can sit on top.

Can I negotiate road tax? No. Road tax and registration fees are set by the state. You can negotiate discounts, accessories, dealer charges and optional products.

Do I have to buy insurance from the dealer? In general, no. You can ask for the quote with your own insurer and compare it. Ask the dealer how registration works with an outside policy.

Is TCS an extra cost? Where it applies, it is collected at the time of sale. It is generally adjustable against your income tax rather than being a dealer fee, but confirm with your tax adviser.