Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1512 of 4787 California car dealers from 6,614 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $117.
738 of 1512 rated California dealers earn an A · 329 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 17, 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 1512 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4787 dealers →Stevens Creek Cadillac
Santa Clara, CA
$32 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 7 verified quotes
See the quotesTuttle Click Mazda
Irvine, CA
$32 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesTuttle-Click Ford
Irvine, CA
$32 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesTuttle Click
Irvine, CAIrvine, CA
Toyota Of Orange
Orange, CAOrange, CA
Toyota Of Hollywood
Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA
Audi Napa Valley
Fairfield, CAFairfield, CA
Porsche Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita, CASanta Clarita, CA
Fairview Ford
San Bernardino, CASan Bernardino, CA
Audi San Francisco
San Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search 13,000+ dealers by name, brand, city, or zip.
More Dealers in California
Carmax Modesto
Modesto, CA
Carmax Murrieta
Murrieta, CA
Carmax Norco
Norco, CA
Carmax Oceanside
Oceanside, CA
Carmax Ontario
Ontario, CA
Carmax Oxnard
Oxnard, CA
Carmax Palm Desert
Palm Desert, CA
Carmax Palmdale
Palmdale, CA
Carmax Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill, CA
Carmax Pleasanton
Pleasanton, CA
Carmax Riverside
Riverside, CA
Carmax Sacramento / Roseville
Roseville, CA
Carmax Sacramento South
Sacramento, CA
Carmax San Gabriel Valley / Duarte
Duarte, CA
Carmax Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa, CA
Carmax Serramonte
Colma, CA
Carmax Stockton
Stockton, CA
Carmax Torrance
Torrance, CA
Carmax Victorville
Victorville, CA
Carmax Visalia
Visalia, CA
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 1071 rated California dealers is $117, based on 6,614 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?
Stevens Creek Cadillac, Tuttle Click Mazda, Tuttle-Click Ford lead the California transparency rankings. 738 of 1512 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 $117. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 58% 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.