Best Car Dealers in California

As of September 2026, CarEdge grades 2624 of 5139 California car dealers from 9,508 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $125.

1225 of 2624 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 2624 dealers with verified quotes.

$125

Avg Doc Fee

68%

No Add-ons

72/100

Avg Score

9,508

Verified Quotes

Browse Dealers by Brand in California

Toyota Ford Honda Hyundai Chevrolet Kia Mazda Ram

Transparency Leaderboard

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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

Mercedes-Benz Of Modesto

Modesto, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$400add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

San Leandro Nissan

San Leandro, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$498add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Store 01 Fandi01

CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$350add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Vista Lincoln Woodland Hills

Los Angeles, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$397add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

West Coast Auto Sales Center

Sacramento, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$299add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Auburn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Auburn, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$472doc fee$398add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Abc Motors

Schenectady, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$300doc feeNo add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Auto Village

Bakersfield, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$70doc fee$500add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Ventura Auto Center

Ventura, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$748doc feeNo add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Dream Cars Auto Sales & Leasing

Glendale, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$397doc feeNo add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

El Monte Nissan

El Monte, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$1,645add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

J Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Of Anaheim Hills

Anaheim, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$1,998add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Evans Auto Brokerage

Thousand Oaks, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$295add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Tom's Truck Center

Santa Ana, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc feeNo add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

1st Honda Auto Group

Simi Valley, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$595add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Bunnin Chevrolet Of Fillmore

Fillmore, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$1,490add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

First Kia Simi Valley

Simi Valley, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$949add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Modesto Mazda

Modesto, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$1,100add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

Stevens Creek Infiniti

Santa Clara, CA · 2 verified quotesLimited data

$85doc fee$935add-ons

See 2 verified quotes →

American Chevrolet

Modesto, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,268add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

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Dealers by City in California

Auburn Indio Bloomington Lancaster Hemet Richmond Burlingame Bellflower Alhambra Burbank Davis San Diego

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 1805 rated California dealers is $125, based on 9,508 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. 1225 of 2624 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.

$623 avg doc fee

$498 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.