Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1557 of 4766 California car dealers from 6,692 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $117.
741 of 1557 rated California dealers earn an A · 364 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 20, 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 1557 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4766 dealers →Capistrano Volkswagen
San Juan Capistrano, CA
$32 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesSuper Sac Auto
Carmichael, CA
$32 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesJaguar Land Rover Volvo Cars Monterey
Sand City, CA
$32 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesVictorville Mitsubishi
Victorville, CAVictorville, CA
South County Lexus
Mission Viejo, CAMission Viejo, CA
South Bay Ford
Hawthorne, CAHawthorne, CA
Iauto Sales, Inc.
Bloomington, CABloomington, CA
Hyundai Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CASanta Monica, CA
Hyundai Of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, CASanta Maria, CA
Perry Ford Of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CASanta Barbara, CA
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More Dealers in California
Envy Automotive
Los Angeles, CA
Enzo's Motors
Salinas, CA
Epic Chevrolet
Sacramento, CA
Epiksun Motors
La Mesa, CA
Erini Auto Group
Camarillo, CA
Escondido Auto Park
Escondido, CA
Esquivel Auto Depot Inc
Rialto, CA
Eureka Chrysler Dodge RAM Fiat
Eureka, CA
Eureka Motors Llc
Los Angeles, CA
Euro Auto Boutique
Anaheim, CA
Euro Auto Sale
Santa Clara, CA
Euro Dream Motors
Los Angeles, CA
Euro Star Auto Sales
Rancho Cordova, CA
European Auto Center
El Cerrito, CA
European Auto House
Los Angeles, CA
European Collectibles
Costa Mesa, CA
European Legend Auto
San Jose, CA
Ev Motors
Pico Rivera, CA
Evelocity
San Diego, CA
Event Motoring
San Diego, 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 1078 rated California dealers is $117, based on 6,692 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?
Capistrano Volkswagen, Super Sac Auto, Jaguar Land Rover Volvo Cars Monterey lead the California transparency rankings. 741 of 1557 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: 59% 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.