How Do You Spot Hidden Dealer Add-Ons on a Florida Car Lease Sheet?
Use the free tool — DealCheck EV
Why Lease Sheets Feel Confusing
A Florida lease sheet mixes several kinds of charges on one page. Some are set by the government. Some are dealer fees for services. Some are just extra profit added on top. The sheet does not label which is which, so it is easy to pay for something you did not ask for.
Three Types of Line Items to Separate
- Government fees — these come from the state or local government, not the dealer.
- Dealer add-ons — products or services the dealer sells, like extra protection packages.
- Padding — markup added to a number that should be closer to cost, without a clear reason.
Sorting every line into one of these three buckets is the first step before you decide what to question or negotiate.
The Money Factor Trick
Lease sheets show a "money factor" instead of an interest rate. This number is small and easy to skip past, but it works the same way an APR does — it is the cost of financing built into your monthly payment. Converting the money factor to an APR lets you compare a lease offer the same way you would compare a loan.
Tesla Direct Orders vs. Franchise-Dealer EVs
Tesla orders go through the manufacturer directly, while other EVs are usually sold through a franchise dealer. The structure of the paperwork is different in each case, so the line items to check are not identical. Both types of documents can still include dealer add-ons or padding, just presented differently.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- Which fees on this sheet are required by law, and which are optional?
- What is the money factor, and what APR does that equal?
- Can any add-on line be removed without changing the rest of the deal?
This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Confirm any fee, rate, or requirement with the dealer, the manufacturer, or a licensed professional before you sign.
What to Do Next
DealCheck EV is a free tool that reads your own order agreement, lease sheet, or buyer's order. It sorts each line into government fees, dealer add-ons, and padding, converts any money factor into a comparable APR, and lists questions to ask based on your actual numbers — for Tesla direct orders and franchise-dealer EVs alike. It does not replace professional advice, so still confirm final figures with the dealer or a professional before signing.