Best Car Dealers in Iowa
As of September 2026, CarEdge grades 233 of 774 Iowa car dealers from 466 verified out-the-door quotes. Iowa's average doc fee is $195.
125 of 233 rated Iowa dealers earn an A · 69 earn a D or F
Data updated Sep 28, 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 233 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 774 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
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search 23,000+ dealers by name, brand, city, or zip.
More Dealers in Iowa
Bo's Autos
Bloomfield, IA
Bob Brown Auto
Urbandale, IA
Bob Brown Chevrolet, Inc.
Urbandale, IA
Bob Brown Pre-owned Merle Hay
Des Moines, IA
Bob Stephen Motors
Manchester, IA
Bodhi Motors Llc
Tama, IA
Bolt Motors Inc
Davenport, IA
Bones Body Shop Llc
West Burlington, IA
Boosted Diesel Performance
Muscatine, IA
Brad Deery Ford
Maquoketa, IA
Brads Used Cars
Des Moines, IA
Brett Spaulding Sales
Onawa, IA
Bridgeport Auto Sales
Maquoketa, IA
Brothers Auto Sales
Hampton, IA
Brothers Used Cars Inc
Sioux City, IA
Brown's Elkader Buick
Elkader, IA
Brown's Elkader CDJR
Elkader, IA
Brown's Elkader Chevrolet
Elkader, IA
Brown's Elkader Ford
Elkader, IA
Brown's Family Of Dealerships
Guttenberg, IA
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 165 rated Iowa dealers is $195, based on 466 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. 125 of 233 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.