Best Car Dealers in Iowa
As of September 2026, CarEdge grades 232 of 776 Iowa car dealers from 465 verified out-the-door quotes. Iowa's average doc fee is $195.
124 of 232 rated Iowa dealers earn an A · 69 earn a D or F
Data updated Sep 26, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Hawkeye State
Iowa's dealer grade: C
78/100 average transparency score
50th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Based on 232 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 776 dealers →Vaughn Automotive
Ottumwa, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 8 verified quotes
See the quotesJerry's Ford Of Sheldon
Sheldon, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesLindquist Ford
Bettendorf, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesStivers Ford Lincoln
Waukee, IAWaukee, IA
Fort Dodge Ford Toyota
Fort Dodge, IAFort Dodge, IA
C&S Car Company
Waterloo, IAWaterloo, IA
Edwards Kia
Council Bluffs, IACouncil Bluffs, IA
Jim Baier Inc.
Fort Madison, IAFort Madison, IA
Keast Auto Center
Harlan, IAHarlan, IA
Kia Of Des Moines
Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA
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More Dealers in Iowa
Mcgrath Hyundai Of Cedar Rapids
Hiawatha, IA · 3 verified quotes
Mercedes-Benz Of Des Moines
Des Moines, IA · 3 verified quotes
Motor Inn Of Carroll
Carroll, IA · 3 verified quotes
Granger Motors
Granger, IA · 4 verified quotes
Toyota Of Muscatine
Muscatine, IA · 11 verified quotes
Vaughn Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
Ottumwa, IA · 5 verified quotes
Cedar Rapids Toyota
Hiawatha, IA · 4 verified quotes
Jensen Mazda
Sioux City, IA · 4 verified quotes
Pritchard's Lake Chevrolet
Clear Lake, IA · 4 verified quotes
Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota
Fort Dodge, IA · 12 verified quotes
Deery Brothers Nissan Of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA · 7 verified quotes
Kimberly Car City CDJR
Davenport, IA · 6 verified quotes
Stew Hansen Buick GMC
Clive, IA · 3 verified quotes
Stew Hansen Hyundai
Clive, IA · 10 verified quotes
Dan Deery Toyota
Cedar Falls, IA · 18 verified quotes
Mcgrath Toyota Of Iowa City
Iowa City, IA · 10 verified quotes
Forest City Ford
Forest City, IA · 3 verified quotes
Karl Chevrolet Of Stuart
Stuart, IA · 5 verified quotes
Mcgrath Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
Cedar Rapids, IA · 5 verified quotes
Deery Brothers
West Burlington, IA · 3 verified quotes
Dealers by City in Iowa
Iowa doc fee law
Iowa caps documentation fees at $180. Iowa dealers rarely deviate from the cap.
Iowa Dealer FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in Iowa?
As of September 2026, the average documentation fee at 164 rated Iowa dealers is $195, based on 465 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge. State law caps Iowa doc fees at approximately $180.
Who are the best car dealers in Iowa?
Vaughn Automotive, Jerry's Ford Of Sheldon, Lindquist Ford lead the Iowa transparency rankings. 124 of 232 rated Iowa dealers earned an A grade for fair fees, minimal add-ons, and honest pricing.
How are Iowa 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 Iowa quotes are verified.
How Iowa 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 Iowa
- Know the doc fee: The average doc fee in Iowa is $195. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 80% of dealers in Iowa 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.