Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1460 of 4783 California car dealers from 6,442 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $116.
713 of 1460 rated California dealers earn an A · 321 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 13, 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 1460 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4783 dealers →Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
$31 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesSouth Bay Ford
Hawthorne, CA
$31 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 11 verified quotes
See the quotesHoblit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Woodland, CA
$31 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesHeritage Ford
Modesto, CAModesto, CA
H & K Auto
San Jose, CASan Jose, CA
Delta Honda
Pittsburg, CAPittsburg, CA
Acura Of Concord
Concord, CAConcord, CA
Airport Marina Ford
Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA
Mazda Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks, CAThousand Oaks, CA
Vista Ford Lincoln
Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in California
Sport Chrysler Jeep Dodge
Fort Bragg, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Southern California Chevy
Banning, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Highgrove Autos
Riverside, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Hertz Car Sales Sacramento, Ca
Sacramento, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Hemet Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
Hemet, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Hb Used Autos
Santa Clarita, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Hardin Honda
Anaheim, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Hansel Auto Group
Santa Rosa, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
GMC Of Chico
Chico, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Impero Cars Inc
Los Angeles, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Stg Montclair
Montclair, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Givi Auto Sales
Irvine, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Indrive
Riverside, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Gill Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
Madera, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
International Auto Sales And Mobility
Indio, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
So Cal Auto
Glendora, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Genesis Auto Enterprise Llc
Riverside, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Sky Rise Kingdom Llc
Corona, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Galpin Lincoln
Los Angeles, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
Gabz Auto Llc
Fairfield, CA · 0 verified quotesLimited data
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 1070 rated California dealers is $116, based on 6,442 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?
Rancho Santa Margarita Honda, South Bay Ford, Hoblit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram lead the California transparency rankings. 713 of 1460 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: 57% 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.