Best Car Dealers in Iowa
As of September 2026, CarEdge grades 236 of 773 Iowa car dealers from 476 verified out-the-door quotes. Iowa's average doc fee is $194.
128 of 236 rated Iowa dealers earn an A · 69 earn a D or F
Data updated Sep 30, 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 236 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 773 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
Macke Motors, Inc.
Lake City, IA
Main Street Auto Mason City
Mason City, IA
Mark's Auto Mart
Fort Dodge, IA
Matthiesen's Automotive
Fayette, IA
Maury Auto Sales
Des Moines, IA
Mccj Auto Group
Des Moines, IA
Mccormick Motorz
Waukon, IA
Mcgrath Buick GMC
Cedar Rapids, IA
Mcgrath Cadillac
Cedar Rapids, IA
Mcgrath Chevrolet Of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
Mcgrath Hyundai Of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
Mcgrath Volkswagen Of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
Mercedes-Benz Of Quad Cities
Davenport, IA
Midwest Auto Center
Shellsburg, IA
Midwest Auto Loans
Davenport, IA
Midwest Auto Of Siouxland Inc
Lawton, IA
Midwest Auto Sales & Service Llc
Lowden, IA
Midwest Auto World Llc
Des Moines, IA
Mike Molstead Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
Charles City, IA
Mike Molstead Ford
Charles City, 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 168 rated Iowa dealers is $194, based on 476 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. 128 of 236 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 $194. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 81% 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.