Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1878 of 4807 California car dealers from 7,995 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $109.
956 of 1878 rated California dealers earn an A · 420 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 27, 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 1878 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4807 dealers →Mercedes-Benz Of Long Beach
Signal Hill, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 8 verified quotes
See the quotesMeritage Auto Sales
Auburn, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesToyota Of Hollywood
Los Angeles, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 8 verified quotes
See the quotesMercedes-Benz Of Ontario
Ontario, CAOntario, CA
Mercedes-Benz Of Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks, CAThousand Oaks, CA
Porsche Ontario
Ontario, CAOntario, CA
Mercedes-Benz Of San Francisco
South San Francisco, CASouth San Francisco, CA
Porsche Stevens Creek
Santa Clara, CASanta Clara, CA
Porsche Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita, CASanta Clarita, CA
Norm Reeves Ford Superstore Cerritos
Cerritos, CACerritos, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in California
The Bay Auto
Fremont, CA
The Car Boutique, Llc
Colton, CA
The Car Connect Auto Group
Baldwin Park, CA
The Car Consultant Sales And Leasing
Costa Mesa, CA
The Car Finder
Pleasanton, CA
The Car Guys
Escondido, CA
The Car Vendor
Bellflower, CA
The Dealer
Fremont, CA
The Fahrney Auto Group
Selma, CA
The Fine Auto Store
Imperial Beach, CA
The Future One Llc
San Diego, CA
The Import Connection
Yucaipa, CA
The J6 Auto Sales Llc
Downey, CA
The Lot Auto Sales
Long Beach, CA
The Lucky 30 Autogroup
Chula Vista, CA
The Niello Company
Roseville, CA
The Polgar Group, Inc
Tracy, CA
The Truck & Suv Center
Escondido, CA
Thm Auto Center Inc.
Sacramento, CA
Thomas Acura
Covina, CA
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 July 2026, the average documentation fee at 1273 rated California dealers is $109, based on 7,995 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?
Mercedes-Benz Of Long Beach, Meritage Auto Sales, Toyota Of Hollywood lead the California transparency rankings. 956 of 1878 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 $109. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 62% 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.