Transparency Verdict
Carfive earns a B.
Early read: mostly fair.
Based on a small number of verified deals so far, fees and pricing look fair. Read the out-the-door carefully and we'll update as we gather more.
Developing confidence — based on 4 verified out-the-door quotes · Salem, MA
Collected Nov 18, 2025 – Dec 9, 2025 · Updated May 3, 2026
Location
Salem, MA
The full story
Why Carfive earned this grade
Between November 2025 and December 2025, CarEdge negotiated or logged 4 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 thingAdd-ons are the exception, not the rule
Only 25% of quotes include dealer-installed add-ons, averaging $699 when present. Most shoppers here never see them.
! Where to push back
2 thingsDoc fee is significantly inflated
$795 is $240 above the MA average of $555. That's pure margin for the dealer, not cost of service.
TipThis fee is mostly not "standard paperwork" — it's profit. Push back, or get the equivalent off the vehicle price.
The listing isn't quite the price
Quoted prices run about 4.5% above the advertised listing. On a $35,000 vehicle that's roughly $1,575 in extra fees or markup.
TipGet an OTD quote in writing before you visit. Compare it to the listing — if there's a gap, ask them to account for every line.
4 verified OTD quotes from Carfive
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
2 vehicle transactions — 4 individual quotes
Most Common Add-ons
Tips for Carfive
- Doc fee is $395 above national average. Ask if they'll match competitors or reduce it.
- Minor add-ons (~$175) may appear. Ask what's included and if they can be removed.
- Dealer markup is only +5% above listing (excluding taxes). This dealer keeps their fees minimal.
- Limited data (4 quotes). Score may change as we collect more information.
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 306 vehicles →$18,545
Median Price
36
Median Days Listed
14
Added This Week
Days on Market
How long vehicles have been listed. Older stock means more room to negotiate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carfive's doc fee?
Carfive charges a typical documentation fee of $795. The MA average is $555. This is based on 4 verified OTD quotes in our database.
Does Carfive add mandatory add-ons?
Carfive adds an average of $175 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 Carfive a good dealer?
Carfive has a transparency score of 84.6/100, earning a Grade B. This score is based on their doc fees, add-on behavior, dealer markup, and data quality from 4 verified OTD quotes. This is a well-above-average score, indicating transparent pricing practices.
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 Carfive in Salem, MA, that has meant 4 verified OTD quotes 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 B.
Doc Fee Comparison
Pulled 4 quote records · Grades update as new data comes in · Dealers cannot pay to change their score.
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