Best Car Dealers in California
As of August 2026, CarEdge grades 1943 of 4856 California car dealers from 8,429 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $108.
1022 of 1943 rated California dealers earn an A · 443 earn a D or F
Data updated Aug 1, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: C
75/100 average transparency score
51st highest doc fees in the U.S.
Based on 1943 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4856 dealers →Valley Kia
Fontana, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesVolkswagen Of Fairfield
Fairfield, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesVolvo Cars San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesWalnut Creek Ford
Walnut Creek, CAWalnut Creek, CA
Weir Canyon Honda
Yorba Linda, CAYorba Linda, CA
West Coast Auto Sales
Redding, CARedding, CA
Volvo Cars Chico
Chico, CAChico, CA
Volvo Cars Cerritos
Cerritos, CACerritos, CA
Volvo Cars Carlsbad
Carlsbad, CACarlsbad, CA
Volvo Cars Burlingame
Burlingame, CABurlingame, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in California
Vista Ford Lincoln
Los Angeles, CA · 18 verified quotes
Volkswagen Thousand Oaks
Westlake Village, CA · 5 verified quotes
Audi San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · 4 verified quotes
Delta Honda
Pittsburg, CA · 3 verified quotes
Cuesta GMC
San Luis Obispo, CA · 6 verified quotes
Auto Connections
Orange, CA · 5 verified quotes
Chico Mazda
Chico, CA · 5 verified quotes
Chavez Jessup GMC
Indio, CA · 8 verified quotes
Jim Bone Kia
Santa Rosa, CA · 5 verified quotes
Jaguar Land Rover Volvo Cars Monterey
Sand City, CA · 4 verified quotes
Iauto Sales, Inc.
Bloomington, CA · 4 verified quotes
Hyundai Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA · 6 verified quotes
Hyundai Of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, CA · 11 verified quotes
Honda Of El Cajon Superstore
El Cajon, CA · 5 verified quotes
Airport Marina Ford
Los Angeles, CA · 12 verified quotes
Home Motors Chevrolet
Santa Maria, CA · 5 verified quotes
H & K Auto
San Jose, CA · 4 verified quotes
Heritage Ford
Modesto, CA · 3 verified quotes
Harbor Chevrolet
Long Beach, CA · 6 verified quotes
Gardena Honda
Gardena, CA · 4 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 August 2026, the average documentation fee at 1304 rated California dealers is $108, based on 8,429 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?
Valley Kia, Volkswagen Of Fairfield, Volvo Cars San Francisco lead the California transparency rankings. 1022 of 1943 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.