Transparency Verdict
Keith Hawthorne Ford earns a D.
Early caution.
On the small number of verified deals we have so far, we observed concerns on fees, add-ons, or markup. The picture may shift as we collect more data — get every number in writing.
Limited confidence — based on 2 verified out-the-door quotes and 1 tracked negotiation · Belmont, NC
Collected Sep 9, 2025 – Sep 19, 2025 · Updated May 4, 2026
Early read. The grade may shift as we log more deals here.
The full story
Why Keith Hawthorne Ford earned this grade
Between September 2025 and September 2025, CarEdge negotiated or logged 2 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.
! Where to push back
2 thingsDoc fee is slightly padded
$799 is $1 above the NC average of $798. Not outrageous, but worth questioning.
TipAsk them to match the average. If they won't, factor it into your overall price — every dollar here is negotiable.
The listing isn't quite the price
Quoted prices run about 6.1% above the advertised listing. On a $35,000 vehicle that's roughly $2,135 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.
2 verified OTD quotes from Keith Hawthorne Ford
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
1 vehicle transaction — 2 individual quotes
2022 Ford F-150
Most Common Add-ons
At a Glance
Tips for Keith Hawthorne Ford
- Doc fee is $399 above national average. Ask if they'll match competitors or reduce it.
- This dealer often adds $1,744 in dealer add-ons. Request a quote WITHOUT any add-ons upfront. These are almost always removable.
- Dealer markup is only +6% above listing (excluding taxes). This dealer keeps their fees minimal.
- Limited data (2 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 326 vehicles →$45,854
Median Price
50
Median Days Listed
24
Added This Week
Days on Market
How long vehicles have been listed. Older stock means more room to negotiate.
Nearby Rated Dealers
These dealers near Belmont have transparency scores based on verified pricing data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Keith Hawthorne Ford's doc fee?
Keith Hawthorne Ford charges a typical documentation fee of $799. The NC average is $798. This is based on 2 verified OTD quotes in our database.
Does Keith Hawthorne Ford add mandatory add-ons?
Keith Hawthorne Ford adds an average of $1,744 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 Keith Hawthorne Ford a good dealer?
Keith Hawthorne Ford has a transparency score of 68.2/100, earning a Grade D. This score is based on their doc fees, add-on behavior, dealer markup, and data quality from 2 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 Keith Hawthorne Ford in Belmont, NC, that has meant 2 verified OTD quotes across 1 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 2 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.