Best Car Dealers in Iowa
As of August 2026, CarEdge grades 170 of 760 Iowa car dealers from 466 verified out-the-door quotes. Iowa's average doc fee is $199.
115 of 170 rated Iowa dealers earn an A · 22 earn a D or F
Data updated Aug 8, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Hawkeye State
Iowa's dealer grade: B
83/100 average transparency score
49th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Based on 170 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 760 dealers →Jim Baier Inc.
Fort Madison, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesKia Of Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesMotor Inn Of Carroll
Carroll, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesLindquist Ford
Bettendorf, IABettendorf, IA
Pritchard's Lake Chevrolet
Clear Lake, IAClear Lake, IA
Mcgrath Hyundai Of Cedar Rapids
Hiawatha, IAHiawatha, IA
Mcgrath Volkswagen Of Marion
Marion, IAMarion, IA
Kimberly Chrysler Plymouth Inc
Davenport, IADavenport, IA
Mercedes-Benz Of Des Moines
Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA
Keast Auto Center
Harlan, IAHarlan, IA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in Iowa
Leschen Auto Sales
Des Moines, IA
Liberty Auto Sales
Merrill, IA
Liberty Car Company
Waterloo, IA
Lil Guys Auto Llc
Nevada, IA
Lithia Nissan Of Ames
Ames, IA
Lithia Volkswagen Of Des Moines
Johnston, IA
Locust Auto Sales
Davenport, IA
Lolema Auto Sales
Davenport, IA
Luethje Auto Sales Gladbrook
Gladbrook, IA
Lyman Auto
Griswold, IA
Lynch Chevrolet, Inc.
Mount Vernon, IA
Lynch Ford
Mount Vernon, IA
Mac's Chevrolet, Inc.
Mapleton, IA
Macke Motors, Inc.
Lake City, IA
Main Street Auto Mason City
Mason City, IA
Mark's Auto Mart
Fort Dodge, IA
Mason City Ford Lincoln
Mason City, IA
Matthiesen's Automotive
Fayette, IA
Mccj Auto Group
Des Moines, IA
Mccormick Motorz
Waukon, 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 August 2026, the average documentation fee at 120 rated Iowa dealers is $199, 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?
Jim Baier Inc., Kia Of Des Moines, Motor Inn Of Carroll lead the Iowa transparency rankings. 115 of 170 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 $199. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 75% 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.