California Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in California? We analyzed 2,917 verified OTD quotes from 567 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
California's benchmark doc fee is $85 — $268 below the national average.
California Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in California
The most transparent dealers in California based on verified pricing data.
| Rank | Dealer | Grade | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mazda Of Escondido | A 100/100 | 6 |
| #2 | Mazda Of Orange | A 100/100 | 9 |
| #3 | Simpson Chevrolet Of Irvine | A 100/100 | 9 |
| #4 | Simpson Buick GMC | A 100/100 | 3 |
| #5 | Selman Chevrolet Co. | A 100/100 | 3 |
| #6 | Mercedes-Benz Of Anaheim | A 100/100 | 7 |
| #7 | Mercedes-Benz Of Beverly Hills | A 100/100 | 4 |
| #8 | Cadillac Marin | A 100/100 | 4 |
| #9 | Cadillac Of South San Francisco | A 100/100 | 6 |
| #10 | Santa Maria | A 100/100 | 3 |
Highest Doc Fees in California
These California dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state benchmark is $85.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Groove | $699 | 14 |
| 2 | 777 Nissan | $698 | 6 |
| 3 | Avis Car Sales | $599 | 6 |
| 4 | Horne Nissan Yuma | $599 | 9 |
| 5 | Anderson Nissan | $499 | 3 |
| 6 | Findlay Lincoln | $499 | 6 |
| 7 | Yates Buick GMC | $495 | 3 |
| 8 | Ron Marhofer Chevrolet | $489 | 5 |
| 9 | Raymond Antioch | $368 | 3 |
| 10 | Not Specified | $213 | 10 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yates Buick GMC | F 34.1/100 | $495 | 3 |
| Horne Nissan Yuma | F 51/100 | $599 | 9 |
| 777 Nissan | D 61/100 | $698 | 6 |
| Audi Concord | D 62/100 | $85 | 8 |
| Thompson's Toyota Of Placerville | D 63/100 | — | 4 |
| Findlay Lincoln | D 65.3/100 | $499 | 6 |
| Chevrolet Of Culver City | D 66/100 | — | 7 |
| Tracy Volkswagen | D 66/100 | — | 3 |
| Maverick Toyota | D 66/100 | — | 3 |
| Epic Chevrolet Cadillac | D 66/100 | — | 8 |
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