California Just Cracked Down on Car Dealer Add-Ons. 6 to Refuse Wherever You Live

California has tightened rules around dealer add-ons, effective Oct. 1, requiring clearer pricing and more disclosure before a buyer signs. The CARS Act mandates that dealers show the total price in any ad or first written message and describe every add-on as optional in writing, according to the California DMV. Add-ons without real benefits are banned, such as oil-change plans for electric cars. For used cars priced at $50,000 or less, buyers can return within three days if they’ve driven no more than about 400 miles, with a possible $200–$600 restocking fee. The law’s author, Sen. Ben Allen, projects $234 million in annual savings for Californians. A similar FTC effort was struck down in January 2025.