Tesla Order Agreement vs. Franchise Dealer Buyer's Order: What's Different?
Use the free tool — DealCheck EV
Two Different Ways to Buy an EV
Tesla sells directly to buyers. You sign a Tesla order agreement online. Franchise dealers sell other EVs and use a buyer's order, sometimes called a purchase agreement, that a salesperson prepares in the store. The paperwork looks different, but both documents commit you to a price and terms.
What a Tesla Order Agreement Usually Covers
A Tesla order agreement is a fixed document created through the Tesla website or app. There is no salesperson negotiating the price line by line. The price you see is generally the price you pay, plus taxes, government fees, and any options you selected.
What a Franchise Dealer Buyer's Order Usually Covers
A franchise dealer's buyer's order is written up in person, or sometimes online, and can include items a Tesla order agreement does not, such as dealer add-ons, service contracts, or other products offered at the store. Some of these items are optional. Some prices on a buyer's order can be negotiated before you sign.
What to Compare Line by Line
- Government fees versus dealer-added fees or products
- Whether any add-on is required or optional
- The total price versus the advertised or online price
- If you are leasing, the money factor, which can be converted to an APR for comparison
This guide does not list specific Florida fee amounts or statute numbers because none were provided here. Confirm current fees and requirements with the dealer, Tesla, or the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles before you sign.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- Is this fee a government fee or a dealer fee?
- Is this add-on required to buy the vehicle, or optional?
- What is the total price, including all fees and add-ons?
- If leasing, what is the money factor, and what APR does that equal?
What to Do Next
This is general information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Every deal is different. Confirm all fees, terms, and requirements with the dealer, Tesla, or the appropriate Florida agency before signing anything.
DealCheck EV is a free tool that reads your own order agreement, lease sheet, or buyer's order. Paste your document in, and it sorts each line into government fees, dealer add-ons, or padding, converts any lease money factor into an APR you can compare, and lists questions to ask before you sign. It works for Tesla direct orders and franchise-dealer EVs.