Transparency Verdict
Zt Automotive earns a D.
Proceed with caution.
High fees or frequent add-ons are a pattern here. Get every number in writing, line by line, before you give them your deposit.
Developing confidence — based on 9 verified out-the-door quotes and 2 tracked negotiations · Houston, TX
Collected Aug 6, 2025 – Apr 4, 2026 · Updated Jun 11, 2026
The full story
Why Zt Automotive earned this grade
Between August 2025 and April 2026, CarEdge negotiated or logged 9 verified deals with this dealership. We pulled the doc fee, the add-ons, and the gap between advertised and out-the-door price from each one. Then we graded them the way a friend in the business would: on the things that actually cost you money.
✓ What they do well
1 thingAdvertised pricing is largely honest
On average, the quoted price is only 2.2% above the listing — small enough to be fees, not markup games.
! Where to push back
2 thingsDoc fee exceeds the state cap
Their typical doc fee of $899 is above TX's legal cap of $225. This is a red flag — every dealer in the state must stay at or below this number.
TipTell them you expect the doc fee at $225 or lower. It's not optional; it's the law.
Add-ons show up on most deals
33% of quotes include dealer add-ons, averaging $1,163. Expect them to try to include something — paint protection, nitrogen-filled tires, VIN etching.
TipNearly all aftermarket add-ons are optional and removable. Say "please take those off the quote" and watch the OTD drop.
9 verified OTD quotes from Zt Automotive
Real out-the-door worksheets, not reviews. Click “View Quote” on any row to see the price breakdown.
Recent Quotes
Verified out-the-door prices from real transactions
5 vehicle transactions — 9 individual quotes
2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63
2024 Honda Civic
Most Common Add-ons
At a Glance
Tips for Zt Automotive
- Doc fee is $499 above national average. Ask if they'll match competitors or reduce it.
- Minor add-ons (~$388) may appear. Ask what's included and if they can be removed.
- Dealer markup is only +2% above listing (excluding taxes). This dealer keeps their fees minimal.
On the lot right now
Separate from the grade above — this is what's currently listed. Useful for spotting aging stock with room to negotiate.
Current Inventory
View all 3 vehicles →$52,262
Median Price
44
Median Days Listed
—
Added This Week
Nearby Rated Dealers
These dealers near Houston have transparency scores based on verified pricing data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zt Automotive's doc fee?
Zt Automotive charges a typical documentation fee of $899. The TX average is $228. This is based on 9 verified OTD quotes in our database.
Does Zt Automotive add mandatory add-ons?
Zt Automotive adds an average of $388 in dealer add-ons when present. Ask for an itemized breakdown and negotiate to remove non-essential items like paint protection, nitrogen tire fill, or VIN etching.
Is Zt Automotive a good dealer?
Zt Automotive has a transparency score of 69.4/100, earning a Grade D. This score is based on their doc fees, add-on behavior, dealer markup, and data quality from 9 verified OTD quotes. This is below average. Consider getting quotes from other dealers in the area for comparison.
How we know this
Every number on this page came from a real deal.
Most dealer review sites scrape star ratings and count angry posts. We do the opposite. CarEdge shops for cars alongside thousands of real buyers every week — and when we negotiate on their behalf, we capture the full out-the-door breakdown the dealer sends back.
For Zt Automotive in Houston, TX, that has meant 9 verified OTD quotes across 2 negotiated deals logged into our database. Each one is a PDF, an email, or a screenshot showing the actual doc fee, the actual add-ons, and the actual final price — not a salesperson's promise.
Fee Transparency
30%Is the doc fee reasonable, or is it just profit? We compare it against the state average — and the legal cap, where one exists.
Add-on Behavior
30%How often does the dealer try to stick on paint protection, theft deterrent, or nitrogen tires? And when they do, how much do they cost you?
Price Accuracy
30%Does the advertised listing price match what you'd actually sign for? We flag dealers whose out-the-door diverges from the listing.
Data Quality
10%More data = more trustworthy grade. Dealers with lots of recent, complete quotes score higher for consistency.
The four numbers behind the grade
Weighted ScoreThe raw component scores — the math that led to D.
Doc Fee Comparison
Pulled 9 quote records · Grades update as new data comes in · Dealers cannot pay to change their score.
Bring real numbers to this dealership
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target discounts, and out-the-door estimates — so you can push back on fees and add-ons with the actual numbers.
Try CarEdge Pro*Information provided for general informational purposes only. Scores are independently calculated and do not imply endorsement of or affiliation with any dealer. Verify all information independently before making a purchase decision. See our Terms of Service.

