How to Determine the Dealer Invoice Price

The invoice price for a car gives you a general idea of how much the dealership paid to the manufacturer. Dealers get certain discounts and credits that bring the actual cost down, but invoice price is the starting point. Knowing it gives you a valuable negotiation tool if you are in the market for a new car. The salesperson will know you are serious because you have done your research, and you will have a basis for determining a fair price.

Instructions

1

Write down the details for each car you are interested in buying. You must know the year, make, model and specific options to get an accurate invoice price. The invoice includes a base price for the car, and each option adds more to the total. Your price will be too low if you leave any of those options off when you do your research.

2

Pull up the invoice price for the vehicles on your list on an automotive research website. You can customize your choices, including options, to ensure you get an accurate price. The website will tally up the total as you make your choices. It will also include the destination charge, a part of every invoice that covers delivery of the car from the factory to the dealership. Print out the information when you are done.

3

Visit another automotive research website, and look up the vehicles again. Most websites give accurate information, but new-vehicle costs can change through the year as manufacturers raise prices. There may have been a price increase if the two websites do not give matching figures. Go to a third website, get the invoice prices there, and see if they match one of the other two sites.

4

Bring your printouts to dealerships as you shop for a new vehicle. Streetdirectory.com advises using the invoice price as your bargaining point instead of bargaining down from the manufacturer's suggested retail price.