Best Car Dealers in California

As of September 2026, CarEdge grades 2623 of 5139 California car dealers from 9,493 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $125.

1222 of 2623 rated California dealers earn an A · 925 earn a D or F

Data updated Sep 23, 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 2623 dealers with verified quotes.

$125

Avg Doc Fee

68%

No Add-ons

72/100

Avg Score

9,493

Verified Quotes

Browse Dealers by Brand in California

Toyota Ford Honda Hyundai Chevrolet Kia Mazda Ram

Transparency Leaderboard

View all 5139 dealers →

Ford Fairfield

Fairfield, CA

$40 below the California average

No mandatory add-ons · 42 verified quotes

Gardena Honda

Gardena, CA

$40 below the California average

No mandatory add-ons · 25 verified quotes

Toyota Of Orange

Orange, CA

$40 below the California average

No mandatory add-ons · 24 verified quotes

Galpin Mazda

Los Angeles, CA

Roseville Hyundai

Roseville, CA

Jim Falk Lexus Of Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills, CA

Hayward Honda

Hayward, CA

Walnut Creek Ford

Walnut Creek, CA

Kearny Mesa Hyundai

San Diego, CA

Autonation Subaru Carlsbad

Carlsbad, CA

Look up any dealer’s transparency grade

Search 22,000+ dealers by name, brand, city, or zip.

More Dealers in California

California Imports Inc

Los Angeles, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc feeNo add-ons

Highly transparent

See 1 verified quote →

Max Auto Sales

San Diego, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$45doc feeNo add-ons

Highly transparent

See 1 verified quote →

Land Rover Woodland Hills/ Jaguar Woodland Hills Authorized Service

Los Angeles, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc feeNo add-ons

Highly transparent

See 2 verified quotes →

Cbm Motors

El Cajon, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$498add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Crystal Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

Cathedral City, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc feeNo add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Anderson Nissan

Rockford, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$499doc feeNo add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Lamborghini Newport Beach

Irvine, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$200doc feeNo add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Mc Auto Sales

Lakeland, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$499doc feeNo add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Sac River Auto

Davis, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$70doc feeNo add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Autonation Volkswagen Carlsbad

Carlsbad, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$749add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Chevrolet Of Carson

Carson, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$699add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Corsa Galleria Llc

Glendale, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$750add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Crown Dodge Ram

Redding, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$748add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

First Honda Simi Valley

Simi Valley, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$1,096add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Future Ford Of Clovis

Clovis, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$547add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Infiniti Of San Jose

San Jose, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$995add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Jaguar Land Rover San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$748add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Mercedes-Benz Of South Bay

Torrance, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$749add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Mountain View Chevrolet, Inc.

CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$852add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Salinas Valley Ford

Salinas, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$993add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

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Dealers by City in California

Hemet Indio Auburn Clovis Bloomington Lancaster Richmond Burlingame Bellflower Alhambra Burbank Davis

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 1804 rated California dealers is $125, based on 9,493 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. 1222 of 2623 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.

$619 avg doc fee

$494 more than California

$584 avg doc fee

$459 more than California

$242 avg doc fee

$117 more than California

Tips for Buying a Car in California

Know the doc fee: The average doc fee in California is $125. 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.