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Best Car Dealers in California

As of September 2026, CarEdge grades 2642 of 5059 California car dealers from 9,584 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $122.

1229 of 2642 rated California dealers earn an A · 938 earn a D or F

Data updated Sep 25, 2026 · How we score dealers

The Golden State

California's dealer grade: C

72/100 average transparency score

52nd highest doc fees in the U.S.

Based on 2642 dealers with verified quotes.

$122
Avg Doc Fee
68%
No Add-ons
72/100
Avg Score
9,584
Verified Quotes

Browse Dealers by Brand in California

ToyotaFordHondaHyundaiChevroletKiaMazdaRam

Transparency Leaderboard

View all 5059 dealers →
1st place
A
100/100

Ford Fairfield

Fairfield, CA

$85doc fee

$37 below the California average

No mandatory add-ons · 42 verified quotes

See the quotes
2nd place
A
100/100

Gardena Honda

Gardena, CA

$85doc fee

$37 below the California average

No mandatory add-ons · 25 verified quotes

See the quotes
3rd place
A
100/100

Toyota Of Orange

Orange, CA

$85doc fee

$37 below the California average

No mandatory add-ons · 25 verified quotes

See the quotes
4

Galpin Mazda

Los Angeles, CA

A
5

Roseville Hyundai

Roseville, CA

A
6

Jim Falk Lexus Of Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills, CA

A
7

Hayward Honda

Hayward, CA

A
8

Walnut Creek Ford

Walnut Creek, CA

A
9

Kearny Mesa Hyundai

San Diego, CA

A
10

Autonation Subaru Carlsbad

Carlsbad, CA

A

Look up any dealer’s transparency grade

Search 23,000+ dealers by name, brand, city, or zip.

More Dealers in California

3a Auto Sales

Oxnard, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Oc Independent Motor Klub

Santa Ana, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Auto Republic Fullerton

Fullerton, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Modesto Mobility Center

Modesto, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Abe's Motorsports

Sacramento, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Auto Please California

Torrance, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Sd Auto Guy

Poway, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Acceler8 Performance

Downey, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Victory Motors Inc

Modesto, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Get You Approved Auto Center

Chula Vista, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Action Auction

Santa Rosa, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Prestige Auto Source

National City, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Prestige Auto Sales Modesto Group

Modesto, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Prestige Auto Broker

San Jose, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Mogul Auto Sales Llc

Hawthorne, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Tracy Auto Depot

Tracy, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

World Motors Inc

Ontario, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Diamond Mazda

Lancaster, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Moran Nachum Exotic Motors Of Santa Monica

Santa Monica, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware

Moss Bros. Auto Group

Moreno Valley, CANo Pricing Provided

F
0/100
Buyer beware
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Dealers by City in California

ClovisRichmondIndioBellflowerLancasterAuburnAlhambraBurlingameBloomingtonBurbankDavis

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 September 2026, the average documentation fee at 1806 rated California dealers is $122, based on 9,584 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?

Ford Fairfield, Gardena Honda, Toyota Of Orange lead the California transparency rankings. 1229 of 2642 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.

More California dealer data

California Dealer Fee Report 2026 →

Doc fees, add-ons, and the most and least transparent dealers

California doc fees by dealer →

Compare documentation fees across California dealerships

How California compares to its neighbors

Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.

Nevada
$623 avg doc fee
$501 more than California
Arizona
$585 avg doc fee
$463 more than California
Oregon
$237 avg doc fee
$115 more than California

Tips for Buying a Car in California

  • Know the doc fee: The average doc fee in California is $122. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
  • Good news on add-ons: 68% 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.

Dealer Ratings by State

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