Best Car Dealers in California
As of November 2026, CarEdge grades 2,316 of 4,737 California car dealers from 10,268 quotes from the past year. The median California dealer charges $117 in total dealer fees.
1,712 of 2,316 rated California dealers earn an A · 80 earn a D or F
Data updated Nov 10, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: A
92.52/100 average transparency score
Lowest median dealer fees in the U.S.
Based on 2,316 dealers with quotes from the past year.
CarEdge Certified dealers in California
These dealers guarantee an all-in out-the-door price up front and no surprise add-ons.
- A100.00/1002026
Gardena Honda
Gardena, CA
33 quotes, past year$85dealer feesNo quoted add-ons$32 below the California median
- A100.00/1002026
Clawson Honda of Fresno
Fresno, CA
13 quotes, past year$122dealer fees$5 above the California median
- A100.00/1002026
Joshua Tree Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Yucca Valley, CA
8 quotes, past year$116dealer feesNo quoted add-ons$1 below the California median
- A100.00/1002026
Porsche Ontario
Ontario, CA
8 quotes, past year$85dealer feesNo quoted add-ons$32 below the California median
- A100.00/1002026
Audi Riverside
Riverside, CA
4 quotes, past year$85dealer feesNo quoted add-ons$32 below the California median
- A100.00/1002026
Serramonte Ford
Colma, CA
4 quotes, past year$119dealer feesNo quoted add-ons$2 above the California median
The grade behind the badge is earned, never bought. Certification never changes a dealer's grade or ranking.
See all 29 certified dealers →Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4,737 dealers →Gardena Honda
CarEdge CertifiedGardena, CA
$32 below the California median
No quoted add-ons · 33 quotes, past year
See the quotesRoseville Hyundai
Roseville, CA
$32 below the California median
Quoted add-ons on 83% · 23 quotes, past year
See the quotesCity Toyota
Daly City, CA
$5 above the California median
No quoted add-ons · 21 quotes, past year
See the quotesDublin Honda
Dublin, CADublin, CA
Puente Hills Subaru
City Of Industry, CACity Of Industry, CA
Kearny Mesa Hyundai
San Diego, CASan Diego, CA
Autonation Subaru Carlsbad
Carlsbad, CACarlsbad, CA
Caposio Buick GMC
Victorville, CAVictorville, CA
Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Rancho Santa Margarita, CARancho Santa Margarita, CA
Clawson Honda of Fresno
CertifiedFresno, CAFresno, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in California
Dch Tustin Acura
Tustin, CA · 13 quotes, past year
New Century BMW
Alhambra, CA · 12 quotes, past year
The Ford Store Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill, CA · 12 quotes, past year
Team Kia of El Cajon
El Cajon, CA · 10 quotes, past year
Toyota of Glendora
Glendora, CA · 10 quotes, past year
Volkswagen of Fairfield
Fairfield, CA · 10 quotes, past year
El Cerrito Honda
El Cerrito, CA · 9 quotes, past year
Hyundai of Mountain View
Mountain View, CA · 9 quotes, past year
Mercedes-Benz of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · 9 quotes, past year
Riverside Mazda
Riverside, CA · 9 quotes, past year
Santa Barbara Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Fiat
Santa Barbara, CA · 9 quotes, past year
Santa Cruz Subaru
Capitola, CA · 9 quotes, past year
Subaru Pacific
Hawthorne, CA · 9 quotes, past year
Fairview Ford San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA · 8 quotes, past year
Hansel Ford
Santa Rosa, CA · 8 quotes, past year
Jessup Auto Plaza Chevrolet
Cathedral City, CA · 8 quotes, past year
Joshua Tree Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Yucca Valley, CA · 8 quotes, past year
Magic Cadillac
Santa Clarita, CA · 8 quotes, past year
Porsche Ontario
Ontario, CA · 8 quotes, past year
Putnam Subaru
Burlingame, CA · 8 quotes, past year
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. The cap doesn't affect the grade: CarEdge compares each dealer's total dealer fees with the California median ($117).
California Dealer FAQ
What are median dealer fees in California?
As of November 2026, the median California dealer charges $117 in total dealer fees, the doc fee plus every other fee the dealer adds, based on quotes from the past year. CarEdge grades Fee Transparency against this median. California law caps the doc fee itself at approximately $85.
Who are the best car dealers in California?
Gardena Honda, Roseville Hyundai and City Toyota lead the California transparency rankings. 1,712 of 2,316 rated California dealers earned an A for fair dealer fees, few quoted add-ons and website prices that match the quote.
How are California dealers graded?
Each dealer is scored 0-100 from verified out-the-door quotes from the past year, with the newest counting most: fee transparency (30%, total dealer fees compared with the California median), 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
Median dealer fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
Tips for Buying a Car in California
- Know the dealer fees: The median California dealer charges $117 in total dealer fees. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask which fees they will drop.
- Good news on add-ons: 64% of California quotes from the past year have no quoted 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 dealer fees, few quoted add-ons and website prices that match the quote.