B
80–89 · Above average

Transparency Verdict

University Kia of Durham 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 3 verified out-the-door quotes and 1 tracked negotiation · Durham, NC
Collected Apr 25, 2026May 12, 2026 · Updated May 18, 2026

Location

Durham, NC

7 rated dealers within 30 miles · Open full map →

The full story

Why University Kia of Durham earned this grade

Between April 2026 and May 2026, CarEdge negotiated or logged 3 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 thing

The price you see is the price you get

Their quoted selling price almost exactly matches the advertised listing price. No mystery markup, no surprise "market adjustment."

! Where to push back

2 things

Doc fee is slightly padded

$899 is $110 above the NC average of $789. 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.

Add-ons show up on most deals

33% of quotes include dealer add-ons, averaging $1,594. 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.

3 verified OTD quotes from University Kia of Durham

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 transactions3 individual quotes

2026 Kia Sorento

SNew2 quotes
$37,269
$899doc feeNo add-onsSaved $1,642
View 2 Quotes →

2025 Kia Soul

EXUsed
$25,764
$799doc feeNo add-ons
View Quote →

Most Common Add-ons

1
u protectavg $1,594
1 quote

At a Glance

Minimal dealer markup above listing price

Tips for University Kia of Durham

  • Doc fee is $499 above national average. Ask if they'll match competitors or reduce it.
  • Expect ~$531 in add-ons. Items like "dealer accessories," paint protection, and theft deterrent are typically negotiable.
  • Dealer markup is about 3% below listing (excluding taxes). This dealer keeps fees very low.
  • Limited data (3 quotes). Score may change as we collect more information.
Live inventory

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is University Kia of Durham's doc fee?

University Kia of Durham charges a typical documentation fee of $899. The NC average is $789. This is based on 3 verified OTD quotes in our database.

Does University Kia of Durham add mandatory add-ons?

University Kia of Durham adds an average of $531 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 University Kia of Durham a good dealer?

University Kia of Durham has a transparency score of 87.7/100, earning a Grade B. This score is based on their doc fees, add-on behavior, dealer markup, and data quality from 3 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 University Kia of Durham in Durham, NC, that has meant 3 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 Score

The raw component scores — the math that led to B.

Fee Transparency (30%)
89
Add-on Behavior (30%)
70
Price Accuracy (30%)
100
Data Quality (10%)
100

Doc Fee Comparison

This dealer$899
NC avg$789
National avg$400

Pulled 3 quote records · Grades update as new data comes in · Dealers cannot pay to change their score.

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*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.