California Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in California? We analyzed 9,711 verified OTD quotes from 2657 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of September 2026, the average doc fee at 1809 rated California dealers is $119, $285 below the national average, based on 9,711 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Sep 28, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: C
72/100 average transparency score
52nd highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- California has the 52nd-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $119.
- 1234 of 2657 rated California dealers earned an A for transparency; 948 earned a D or F.
- North County GMC in Escondido is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in California range from $12 to $3,776 — Autoboutique charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in California is accessories, appearing on 36% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,383.
California Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in California
The most transparent dealers in California, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
North County GMC
Escondido, CA
$34 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesSanta Cruz Subaru
Capitola, CA
$34 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 9 verified quotes
See the quotesSangera Subaru
Bakersfield, CA
$34 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesPenske Buick GMC
Cerritos, CACerritos, CA
Ab Auto Town
Torrance, CATorrance, CA
Platinum Motors
San Bruno, CASan Bruno, CA
Royal Auto Group Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Rotolo Chevrolet Inc
Fontana, CAFontana, CA
Roseville Hyundai
Roseville, CARoseville, CA
Porsche Ontario
Ontario, CAOntario, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in California or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in California
These California dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $119.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autoboutique | $1,298 | 8 |
| 2 | Sprinter Vans Of Arcadia | $1,199 | 3 |
| 3 | Porsche Marin | $1,169 | 8 |
| 4 | Fremont Buick GMC | $1,141 | 6 |
| 5 | Infiniti Of Thousand Oaks | $1,112 | 3 |
| 6 | Puente Hills Hyundai | $1,110 | 5 |
| 7 | Cardinale Auto Group | $999 | 3 |
| 8 | Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram Fiat Of Ontario | $842 | 20 |
| 9 | Capitol Mazda | $834 | 12 |
| 10 | Tracy Volkswagen | $828 | 11 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in California
These California dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Chevrolet Of Carlsbad | F 0/100 | — | 5 |
| Fontana Motors Direct | F 15/100 | — | 4 |
| Chevrolet Of Culver City | F 28/100 | $643 | 14 |
| Tracy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | F 30/100 | — | 3 |
| Mazzei Chevrolet | F 33/100 | — | 3 |
| Knight Audi Elk Grove | F 33/100 | — | 5 |
| Cadillac Of Beverly Hills | F 34/100 | — | 4 |
| Jaguar Land Rover Marin | F 36/100 | — | 5 |
| Premier Chevrolet Of Buena Park | F 37/100 | — | 5 |
| Uptown Ford Of Oakland | F 38/100 | — | 6 |
Most Common Add-ons in California
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in California, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in California
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in California?
Toyota
136 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Ford
134 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Ram
120 dealers · Avg score: 75/100
Honda
117 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
Chevrolet
110 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Jeep
106 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Dodge
104 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Chrysler
102 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
Hyundai
78 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Kia
74 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
GMC
66 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Nissan
65 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Subaru
60 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
BMW
56 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Mazda
55 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Ready to buy a car in California? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in California — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
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Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in California by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How California compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
California Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in California?
As of September 2026, the average documentation fee in California is $119, based on 9,711 verified out-the-door quotes from 1809 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $285 below the $404 national average.
Which California dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Autoboutique charges the highest verified doc fee in California at $1,298. Doc fees across the state range from $12 to $3,776.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in California?
North County GMC in Escondido is the highest-rated dealer in California with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 3 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in California?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a California dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 1234 of 2657 rated California dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.