Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1888 of 4806 California car dealers from 8,022 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $108.
966 of 1888 rated California dealers earn an A · 420 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 28, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: C
75/100 average transparency score
50th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Based on 1888 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4806 dealers →Perry Ford Of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesKeyes Hyundai Of Mission Hills
Los Angeles, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesPutnam Kia
Burlingame, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesThe Ford Store Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill, CAMorgan Hill, CA
Mazda Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks, CAThousand Oaks, CA
Santa Cruz Toyota
Capitola, CACapitola, CA
Santa Cruz Subaru
Capitola, CACapitola, CA
Car Pros Honda El Monte
El Monte, CAEl Monte, CA
Iauto Sales, Inc.
Bloomington, CABloomington, CA
Tustin Cadillac
Tustin, CATustin, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search 13,000+ dealers by name, brand, city, or zip.
More Dealers in California
Northridge Toyota
Los Angeles, CA · 3 verified quotes
Lancaster Honda
Lancaster, CA · 7 verified quotes
Mazda Of Escondido
Escondido, CA · 3 verified quotes
Carfornia.Com
Livermore, CA · 3 verified quotes
Galaxy Auto Deals Inc
Sacramento, CA · 3 verified quotes
Sangera Subaru
Bakersfield, CA · 3 verified quotes
Tuttle Click Mazda
Irvine, CA · 6 verified quotes
Cardinaleway Mazda Corona
Corona, CA · 3 verified quotes
Mazda Of Vacaville
Vacaville, CA · 10 verified quotes
Mazda Of Valencia
Santa Clarita, CA · 5 verified quotes
Penske Buick GMC
Cerritos, CA · 7 verified quotes
New Century BMW
Alhambra, CA · 5 verified quotes
Tuttle-Click Ford
Irvine, CA · 3 verified quotes
Tuttle Click
Irvine, CA · 7 verified quotes
Newport Fisker
Costa Mesa, CA · 3 verified quotes
Audi San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · 4 verified quotes
Cuesta GMC
San Luis Obispo, CA · 6 verified quotes
Home Motors Chevrolet
Santa Maria, CA · 5 verified quotes
Audi Napa Valley
Fairfield, CA · 5 verified quotes
Audi Livermore
Livermore, CA · 3 verified quotes
Dealers by City in California
California doc fee law
California caps dealer documentation fees at $85, one of the lowest limits in the country. If a California quote shows a higher "doc" or "processing" line item, question it — dealers there make their margin elsewhere, typically on add-ons and financing.
California Dealer FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in California?
As of July 2026, the average documentation fee at 1281 rated California dealers is $108, based on 8,022 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge. State law caps California doc fees at approximately $85.
Who are the best car dealers in California?
Perry Ford Of Santa Barbara, Keyes Hyundai Of Mission Hills, Putnam Kia lead the California transparency rankings. 966 of 1888 rated California dealers earned an A grade for fair fees, minimal add-ons, and honest pricing.
How are California dealers graded?
Each dealer is scored 0-100 from verified out-the-door price quotes: fee transparency (30%), add-on behavior (30%), price accuracy (30%), and data quality (10%). Grades update as new California quotes are verified.
How California compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
Tips for Buying a Car in California
- Know the doc fee: The average doc fee in California is $108. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 63% of dealers in California charge no mandatory add-ons.
- Get multiple quotes: Request OTD quotes from at least 3 dealers to compare total prices, not just sticker prices.
- Check transparency scores: Dealers with scores above 80 typically have fair doc fees and minimal add-ons.