Alabama Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Alabama? We analyzed 639 verified OTD quotes from 171 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of July 2026, the average doc fee at 171 rated Alabama dealers is $572, $172 above the national average, based on 639 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Jul 7, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Yellowhammer State
Alabama's dealer grade: B
82/100 average transparency score
11th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Alabama has the 11th-highest average doc fee of the 53 states we track, at $572.
- 105 of 171 rated Alabama dealers earned an A for transparency; 27 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 $0 to $1,294 — Mercedes-Benz Of Huntsville charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Alabama is accessories, appearing on 53% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,135.
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
$273 below the Alabama average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesMitchell Hyundai
Enterprise, AL
$27 above the Alabama average
No mandatory add-ons · 21 verified quotes
See the quotesMerchant Ford
Selma, AL
$127 above the Alabama average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesLand Rover Birmingham
Birmingham, ALBirmingham, AL
Stivers Ford Birmingham
Birmingham, ALBirmingham, AL
Stivers Ford Lincoln, Inc.
Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL
Stivers Troy
Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL
Sunny King Honda
Heflin, ALHeflin, AL
Townsend Nissan Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, ALTuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa Chevrolet
Cottondale, ALCottondale, 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 $572.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz Of Huntsville | $999 | 11 |
| 2 | Bill Penney Toyota Jasper | $998 | 5 |
| 3 | Shottenkirk Honda Huntsville | $998 | 17 |
| 4 | Autonation Honda At Bel Air Mall | $995 | 3 |
| 5 | Toyota Of Montgomery | $995 | 15 |
| 6 | Serra Hyundai | $995 | 3 |
| 7 | Hallmark Subaru | $988 | 7 |
| 8 | Tameron Honda Eastern Shore | $979 | 5 |
| 9 | Hoover Toyota | $951 | 21 |
| 10 | Century Automotive Group | $949 | 4 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landers Mclarty Chevrolet | D 62.5/100 | $849 | 5 |
| North Country Of Jasper | D 66/100 | $0 | 3 |
| Sam Boswell Buick GMC | C 71.1/100 | $900 | 3 |
| Lexus Of Huntsville | C 71.8/100 | $0 | 10 |
| Landers Mclarty Ford Of Fort Payne | C 72.1/100 | $212 | 4 |
| Sam Boswell Honda | C 72.4/100 | $900 | 4 |
| Joe Bullard Chevrolet | C 73.5/100 | $0 | 4 |
| Northside Imports | C 75.6/100 | $225 | 3 |
| Team One Toyota Of Gadsden | C 76.1/100 | $0 | 4 |
| Serra Toyota Of Decatur | C 77.1/100 | $899 | 6 |
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
19 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Toyota
14 dealers · Avg score: 91/100
Chevrolet
14 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Hyundai
11 dealers · Avg score: 75/100
Honda
10 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Nissan
9 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
GMC
8 dealers · Avg score: 92/100
Ram
7 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Kia
7 dealers · Avg score: 92/100
Chrysler
6 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Dodge
6 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Jeep
6 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Subaru
5 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Buick
4 dealers · Avg score: 92/100
Mazda
4 dealers · Avg score: 96/100
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 July 2026, the average documentation fee in Alabama is $572, based on 639 verified out-the-door quotes from 171 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $172 above the $400 national average.
Which Alabama dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Mercedes-Benz Of Huntsville charges the highest verified doc fee in Alabama at $999. Doc fees across the state range from $0 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. 105 of 171 rated Alabama dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.