Transparency Verdict
Kunes Ford Of Sterling earns a C.
Mixed early signals.
On the small number of verified deals we have so far, we saw some friction on fees or add-ons. Worth comparing other quotes before you commit.
Limited confidence — based on 2 verified out-the-door quotes · Sterling, IL
Collected Jul 13, 2026 – Jul 13, 2026 · Updated Aug 29, 2026
Early read. The grade may shift as we log more deals here.
The full story
Why Kunes Ford Of Sterling earned this grade
Between July 2026 and July 2026, 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 exceeds the state cap
Their typical doc fee of $378 is above IL's legal cap of $378. 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 $378 or lower. It's not optional; it's the law.
The listing isn't quite the price
Quoted prices run about 4.9% above the advertised listing. On a $35,000 vehicle that's roughly $1,715 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 Kunes Ford Of Sterling
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
Most Common Add-ons
Tips for Kunes Ford Of Sterling
- Minor add-ons (~$399) may appear. Ask what's included and if they can be removed.
- Doc fee ($378) is at or below national average. One less thing to negotiate.
- Dealer markup is only +5% above listing (excluding taxes). This dealer keeps their fees minimal.
- Limited data (2 quotes). Score may change as we collect more information.
Keep researching
Look up another dealer by name, brand, city, or zip.
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 177 vehicles →$33,746
Median Price
61
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 Sterling have transparency scores based on verified pricing data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fees does Kunes Ford Of Sterling charge?
Based on 2 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge, Kunes Ford Of Sterling charges a $378 documentation fee and averages $399 in dealer add-ons when present. Kunes Ford Of Sterling earns Transparency Grade C (77/100).
What is Kunes Ford Of Sterling's doc fee?
Kunes Ford Of Sterling charges a typical documentation fee of $378. The IL average is $366. This is based on 2 verified OTD quotes in our database.
Does Kunes Ford Of Sterling add mandatory add-ons?
Kunes Ford Of Sterling adds an average of $399 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 Kunes Ford Of Sterling a good dealer?
Kunes Ford Of Sterling has a transparency score of 77/100, earning a Grade C. This score is based on their doc fees, add-on behavior, dealer markup, and data quality from 2 verified OTD quotes. This is an average score. Compare with nearby dealers before making a decision.
Explore Ford and Illinois dealer data
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 Kunes Ford Of Sterling in Sterling, IL, that has meant 2 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 stick you with mandatory add-ons like paint protection or theft deterrent — the kind you can't say no to? Add-ons the dealer discloses as optional don't count against them.
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 C.
Doc Fee Comparison
Pulled 2 quote records · Grades update as new data comes in · Dealers cannot pay to change their score.
Don't face this dealer alone
Let us negotiate for you. We push for the out-the-door price in writing, strip junk fees and add-ons, and you only approve the final offer.
Let CarEdge negotiate*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.