California Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in California? We analyzed 7,995 verified OTD quotes from 1878 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of July 2026, the average doc fee at 1273 rated California dealers is $109, $291 below the national average, based on 7,995 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Jul 27, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: C
75/100 average transparency score
50th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- California has the 50th-highest average doc fee of the 50 states we track, at $109.
- 956 of 1878 rated California dealers earned an A for transparency; 420 earned a D or F.
- Kia Santa Monica in Santa Monica is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 9 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in California range from $7 to $1,298 — Autoboutique charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in California is theft protection, appearing on 39% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,127.
California Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in California
The most transparent dealers in California, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Kia Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 9 verified quotes
See the quotesCardinaleway Mazda Corona
Corona, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesCarfornia.Com
Livermore, CA
$39 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesKia Of Alhambra
Alhambra, CAAlhambra, CA
Car Pros Honda El Monte
El Monte, CAEl Monte, CA
The Ford Store Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill, CAMorgan Hill, CA
Cb Chevrolet
San Luis Obispo, CASan Luis Obispo, CA
Sutherlin Subaru Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, CAHuntington Beach, CA
Century West BMW
Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA
Supreme Auto
Fair Oaks, CAFair Oaks, 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 $109.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autoboutique | $1,298 | 12 |
| 2 | Cardinale Auto Group | $999 | 4 |
| 3 | Genesis Of Richmond | $749 | 6 |
| 4 | Palm Springs Subaru | $600 | 9 |
| 5 | Prestige Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | $599 | 12 |
| 6 | Honda North Icl | $587 | 18 |
| 7 | Orel Hershiser Chevrolet | $572 | 4 |
| 8 | Land Rover | $550 | 7 |
| 9 | Acura Of Fremont | $536 | 5 |
| 10 | Toyota Of Glendale | $525 | 9 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoboutique | F 37.8/100 | $1,298 | 12 |
| Karwow | F 46.2/100 | $70 | 3 |
| California Motor Trade | F 47.3/100 | $85 | 3 |
| Dalton Hyundai National City | F 50.6/100 | $0 | 8 |
| Culver City Toyota | F 51.9/100 | $85 | 17 |
| Lexus Of El Cajon | F 53/100 | $85 | 4 |
| Cardinale Auto Group | F 54.3/100 | $999 | 4 |
| Autohon | F 56.5/100 | $0 | 3 |
| Huntington Beach Hyundai | F 56.5/100 | $85 | 24 |
| Clovis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | F 57.2/100 | $0 | 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
137 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Ford
122 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Honda
108 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Ram
98 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Jeep
90 dealers · Avg score: 70/100
Dodge
88 dealers · Avg score: 69/100
Chevrolet
83 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Chrysler
82 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Hyundai
73 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
Kia
67 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
GMC
61 dealers · Avg score: 67/100
Nissan
60 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Subaru
53 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
BMW
53 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Mazda
51 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
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 July 2026, the average documentation fee in California is $109, based on 7,995 verified out-the-door quotes from 1273 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $291 below the $400 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 $7 to $1,298.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in California?
Kia Santa Monica in Santa Monica is the highest-rated dealer in California with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 9 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. 956 of 1878 rated California dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.