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 27, 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
Dale Howard Of Iowa Falls
Iowa Falls, IA · 2 verified quotesLimited data
Grinnell Motors
Grinnell, IA · 2 verified quotesLimited data
Lany's Auto
Winterset, IA · 2 verified quotesLimited data
Mcgrath Ford
Hiawatha, IA · 2 verified quotesLimited data
Tbk Wholesale
Des Moines, IA · 2 verified quotesLimited data
Ulrich Ford Lincoln
Pella, IA · 2 verified quotesLimited data
Alvarez Auto Sales
Des Moines, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Birdnow Chevrolet Monona
Monona, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
C&C Auto Sales Inc
Charles City, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Chrysler Of Forest City
Forest City, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Clinton Ford Lincoln
Clinton, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Dale Howard Auto Center
IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Dam Auto Sales
Sioux City, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Destination Auto Llc
Cedar Rapids, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Domino Motors
Sac City, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Duck Duck Drive
Dubuque, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Granger Ford
Granger, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Izo's Motor Company
Waterloo, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Jefferson St Motors
Waterloo, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
Jensen Subaru
Sioux City, IA · 1 verified quoteLimited data
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.