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

Autometrics Used Car Sales

El Cerrito, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$752add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Autonation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Roseville

Roseville, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,498add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

BMW Of Chico

Chico, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$995add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Bonander GMC

Turlock, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,241add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Central Valley Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

Modesto, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$895add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Charlie Hunter

San Diego, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$695add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Community Volkswagen Of Santa Maria

Santa Maria, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,295add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Courtesy Automotive Center

Chico, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$995add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

F.H. Dailey Chevrolet

San Leandro, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,269add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Folsom Auto Mall

Folsom, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$995add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Fresno Acura

Fresno, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,195add-ons

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Gms

Placentia, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$895add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Jaguar Livermore

CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,295add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Keller Motors Chevrolet

Hanford, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$998add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Kings Valley Motors Llc

Salinas, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$95doc feeNo add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Lampe Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Visalia, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$829doc feeNo add-ons

See 1 verified quote →

Lexus Of El Cajon

CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,395add-ons

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Livermore Alfa Romeo

Livermore, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,344add-ons

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Malibu Automotive Group

Thousand Oaks, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,429add-ons

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Mercedes-Benz Of Oxnard

Oxnard, CA · 1 verified quoteLimited data

$85doc fee$1,295add-ons

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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.