California Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in California? We analyzed 11,111 verified OTD quotes from 2461 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of September 2026, the average doc fee at 1599 rated California dealers is $112, $292 below the national average, based on 11,111 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Sep 8, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: C
77/100 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 $112.
- 1444 of 2461 rated California dealers earned an A for transparency; 482 earned a D or F.
- Smothers European Volvo Cars in Santa Rosa is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 4 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in California range from $5 to $3,776 — Autoboutique charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in California is theft protection, appearing on 37% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,123.
California Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in California
The most transparent dealers in California, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Smothers European Volvo Cars
Santa Rosa, CA
$70 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesSimpson Chevrolet Irvine
Irvine, CA
$27 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 9 verified quotes
See the quotesSimpson Buick GMC
Buena Park, CA
$27 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesSimi Valley
Simi Valley, CASimi Valley, CA
Silveira GMC
Healdsburg, CAHealdsburg, CA
Shingle Springs Honda
Shingle Springs, CAShingle Springs, CA
Serramonte Ford
Colma, CAColma, CA
Sedano Ford Commercial
La Mesa, CALa Mesa, CA
Santa Monica Subaru
Santa Monica, CASanta Monica, CA
Santa Monica Audi
Santa Monica, CASanta Monica, 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 $112.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autoboutique | $1,298 | 12 |
| 2 | Cardinale Auto Group | $999 | 4 |
| 3 | Genesis Of Richmond | $749 | 7 |
| 4 | Salinas Honda | $725 | 12 |
| 5 | Trust Irvine Acura | $716 | 3 |
| 6 | Earnhardt North Scottsdale | $599 | 6 |
| 7 | Prestige Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | $599 | 12 |
| 8 | Orel Hershiser Chevrolet | $572 | 5 |
| 9 | Land Rover | $550 | 7 |
| 10 | Toyota Of Glendale | $547 | 16 |
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 33/100 | $0 | 6 |
| Autoboutique | F 38/100 | $1,298 | 12 |
| Elk Grove Acura | F 42/100 | $85 | 6 |
| Drive Knight Group | F 43/100 | $85 | 3 |
| California Motor Trade | F 44/100 | $85 | 4 |
| Covina Hills Chevrolet | F 46/100 | $85 | 4 |
| Karwow | F 46/100 | $70 | 3 |
| Cardinaleway Hyundai Glendora | F 50/100 | $57 | 3 |
| Westlake Hyundai | F 53/100 | $85 | 5 |
| Cardinale Auto Group | F 54/100 | $999 | 4 |
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
135 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Ford
128 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Honda
116 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Ram
113 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
Chevrolet
109 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Jeep
103 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Dodge
101 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Chrysler
97 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Hyundai
76 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Kia
73 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
GMC
63 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Nissan
62 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Subaru
57 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
BMW
53 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Mazda
52 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
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 $112, based on 11,111 verified out-the-door quotes from 1599 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $292 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 $5 to $3,776.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in California?
Smothers European Volvo Cars in Santa Rosa is the highest-rated dealer in California with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 4 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. 1444 of 2461 rated California dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.