Alabama Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Alabama? We analyzed 952 verified OTD quotes from 359 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of October 2026, the average doc fee at 256 rated Alabama dealers is $716, $312 above the national average, based on 952 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Oct 17, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Yellowhammer State
Alabama's dealer grade: C
78/100 average transparency score
9th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Alabama has the 9th-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $716.
- 189 of 359 rated Alabama dealers earned an A for transparency; 113 earned a D or F.
- Merchant Ford in Selma is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 5 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Alabama range from $70 to $1,294 — Edwards Honda charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Alabama is accessories, appearing on 45% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,003.
Alabama Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Alabama
The most transparent dealers in Alabama, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Merchant Ford
Selma, AL
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesMitchell Hyundai
Enterprise, AL
$117 below the Alabama average
No mandatory add-ons · 11 verified quotes
See the quotesWoody Anderson Ford
Huntsville, AL
$67 below the Alabama average
No mandatory add-ons · 11 verified quotes
See the quotesMontgomery Subaru
Montgomery, ALMontgomery, AL
Toyota of Dothan
Dothan, ALDothan, AL
Townsend Honda
Tuscaloosa, ALTuscaloosa, AL
Mullinax Ford of Mobile
Mobile, ALMobile, AL
Herb Chambers Hyundai of Auburn
Auburn, ALAuburn, AL
CDJR of Albertville
Albertville, ALAlbertville, AL
Sunny King Honda
Anniston, ALAnniston, 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 $716.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edwards Honda | $1,000 | 3 |
| 2 | Edwards Chevrolet 280 | $999 | 4 |
| 3 | David Scott Lee GMC | $999 | 4 |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz of Huntsville | $999 | 7 |
| 5 | Hoover Toyota | $999 | 21 |
| 6 | Tameron Honda | $999 | 4 |
| 7 | North Country CDJR of Jasper | $999 | 3 |
| 8 | Eastern Shore Hyundai | $999 | 6 |
| 9 | Century Automotive Group | $999 | 5 |
| 10 | Bill Penney Toyota | $998 | 25 |
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 39/100 | — | 6 |
| Lexus of Huntsville | F 39/100 | — | 5 |
| Opelika Ford | F 47/100 | $879 | 3 |
| Mercedes-Benz of Mobile | F 53/100 | — | 5 |
| Tuscaloosa Ford | F 54/100 | $699 | 6 |
| Shottenkirk Honda Decatur | F 55/100 | $998 | 3 |
| Landers Mclarty Ford | F 55/100 | $849 | 4 |
| Team One Toyota | F 56/100 | — | 4 |
| Hyundai Montgomery | F 59/100 | — | 26 |
| Long-Lewis Automotive Group | D 60/100 | — | 9 |
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
37 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Chevrolet
31 dealers · Avg score: 90/100
Ram
24 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Chrysler
22 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Dodge
22 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Jeep
22 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Toyota
18 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Honda
17 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
GMC
17 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Hyundai
16 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Nissan
13 dealers · Avg score: 68/100
Kia
11 dealers · Avg score: 92/100
Buick
9 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Lincoln
8 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Cadillac
6 dealers · Avg score: 75/100
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 October 2026, the average documentation fee in Alabama is $716, based on 952 verified out-the-door quotes from 256 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $312 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 $70 to $1,294.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Alabama?
Merchant Ford in Selma is the highest-rated dealer in Alabama with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 5 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. 189 of 359 rated Alabama dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.