Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1549 of 4790 California car dealers from 6,666 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $116.
741 of 1549 rated California dealers earn an A · 356 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 19, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: C
74/100 average transparency score
50th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Based on 1549 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4790 dealers →Mckenna BMW
Norwalk, CA
$31 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesAirport Marina Ford
Los Angeles, CA
$31 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 12 verified quotes
See the quotesSouth Bay Ford
Hawthorne, CA
$31 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 11 verified quotes
See the quotesMazda Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks, CAThousand Oaks, CA
Mazda Of Valencia
Santa Clarita, CASanta Clarita, CA
Mazda Of Vacaville
Vacaville, CAVacaville, CA
Mazda Of Escondido
Escondido, CAEscondido, CA
Delta Honda
Pittsburg, CAPittsburg, CA
The Ford Store Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill, CAMorgan Hill, CA
Stevens Creek Cadillac
Santa Clara, CASanta Clara, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in California
Enterprise Car Sales Kearny Mesa
San Diego, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Montclair
Montclair, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Orange
Orange, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Pasadena
Pasadena, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Rancho Cordova
Rancho Cordova, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Redwood City
Redwood City, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Reseda
Los Angeles, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Rialto
Bloomington, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Riverside
Riverside, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Roseville
Roseville, CA
Enterprise Car Sales San Leandro
San Leandro, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Santa Clara
Santa Clara, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Stockton
Stockton, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Ventura
Ventura, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Victorville
Victorville, CA
Enterprise Car Sales Vista
Vista, CA
Enterprise Van Sales
Long Beach, CA
Envision Management Group Llc
Riverside, CA
Envision Motors
West Covina, 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 1080 rated California dealers is $116, based on 6,666 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?
Mckenna BMW, Airport Marina Ford, South Bay Ford lead the California transparency rankings. 741 of 1549 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 $116. 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.