Alabama Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Alabama? We analyzed 856 verified OTD quotes from 251 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of August 2026, the average doc fee at 170 rated Alabama dealers is $691, $287 above the national average, based on 856 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Aug 17, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Yellowhammer State
Alabama's dealer grade: C
78/100 average transparency score
8th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Alabama has the 8th-highest average doc fee of the 51 states we track, at $691.
- 152 of 251 rated Alabama dealers earned an A for transparency; 46 earned a D or F.
- Donohoo Chevrolet in Fort Payne is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 4 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Alabama range from $16 to $1,294 — Edwards Honda charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Alabama is accessories, appearing on 47% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,021.
Alabama Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Alabama
The most transparent dealers in Alabama, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Donohoo Chevrolet
Fort Payne, AL
$392 below the Alabama average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesToyota Of Dothan
Dothan, AL
$92 below the Alabama average
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesTownsend Nissan Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, AL
$191 below the Alabama average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesSunny King Honda
Heflin, ALHeflin, AL
Stivers Troy
Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL
Stivers Ford Lincoln - Montgomery
Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL
Stivers Ford Lincoln, Inc.
Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL
Stivers Ford Birmingham
Birmingham, ALBirmingham, AL
Mullinax Ford Of Mobile
Mobile, ALMobile, AL
Montgomery Subaru
Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in Alabama or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in Alabama
These Alabama dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $691.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edwards Honda | $1,000 | 3 |
| 2 | Mercedes-Benz Of Huntsville | $999 | 12 |
| 3 | Hoover Toyota | $999 | 22 |
| 4 | North Country CDJR Of Jasper | $999 | 3 |
| 5 | Bill Penney Toyota Jasper | $998 | 8 |
| 6 | Shottenkirk Honda Huntsville | $998 | 20 |
| 7 | Shottenkirk Acura Huntsville | $998 | 3 |
| 8 | Autonation Honda At Bel Air Mall | $995 | 3 |
| 9 | Toyota Of Montgomery | $995 | 16 |
| 10 | Serra Hyundai | $995 | 3 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in Alabama
These Alabama dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus Montgomery | F 53/100 | $0 | 9 |
| North Country Of Jasper | D 66/100 | $0 | 3 |
| Shottenkirk Acura Huntsville | D 69/100 | $998 | 3 |
| Landers Mclarty Ford Of Fort Payne | C 72/100 | $0 | 4 |
| Lexus Of Huntsville | C 72/100 | $0 | 10 |
| Landers Mclarty Chevrolet | C 74/100 | $849 | 6 |
| Serra Toyota Of Decatur | C 75/100 | $899 | 7 |
| Sons Ford | C 75/100 | $899 | 3 |
| Northside Imports | C 76/100 | $225 | 3 |
| Sam Boswell Buick GMC | C 77/100 | $900 | 4 |
Most Common Add-ons in Alabama
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in Alabama, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in Alabama
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in Alabama?
Ford
23 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Chevrolet
18 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Toyota
16 dealers · Avg score: 89/100
GMC
13 dealers · Avg score: 92/100
Hyundai
13 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Ram
13 dealers · Avg score: 67/100
Honda
12 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Chrysler
12 dealers · Avg score: 67/100
Dodge
12 dealers · Avg score: 67/100
Jeep
12 dealers · Avg score: 67/100
Kia
11 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Nissan
10 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Buick
7 dealers · Avg score: 93/100
Lincoln
6 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Bentley
6 dealers · Avg score: 94/100
Ready to buy a car in Alabama? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in Alabama — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
Try CarEdge ProFind the Best Dealer in Alabama
Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in Alabama by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How Alabama compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
Alabama Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in Alabama?
As of August 2026, the average documentation fee in Alabama is $691, based on 856 verified out-the-door quotes from 170 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $287 above the $404 national average.
Which Alabama dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Edwards Honda charges the highest verified doc fee in Alabama at $1,000. Doc fees across the state range from $16 to $1,294.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Alabama?
Donohoo Chevrolet in Fort Payne is the highest-rated dealer in Alabama with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 4 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in Alabama?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a Alabama dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 152 of 251 rated Alabama dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.