California Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in California? We analyzed 10,713 verified OTD quotes from 2729 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of October 2026, the average doc fee at 1833 rated California dealers is $87, $317 below the national average, based on 10,713 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Oct 19, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: C
74/100 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 $87.
- 1339 of 2729 rated California dealers earned an A for transparency; 957 earned a D or F.
- Royal Auto Group of San Francisco in San Francisco is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in California range from $12 to $1,000 — Perris Valley Kia charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in California is accessories, appearing on 34% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,396.
California Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in California
The most transparent dealers in California, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Royal Auto Group of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesRotolo Chevrolet Inc
Fontana, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 7 verified quotes
See the quotesRoseville Hyundai
Roseville, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 22 verified quotes
See the quotesRoseville Automaxx
Roseville, CARoseville, CA
Riverside Hyundai
Riverside, CARiverside, CA
Sangera Subaru
Bakersfield, CABakersfield, CA
Felix Chevrolet
Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA
Reliable Buick GMC Cadillac
Roseville, CARoseville, CA
Elegant Auto Sales
Rancho Cordova, CARancho Cordova, CA
Fairview Ford
San Bernardino, CASan Bernardino, 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 $87.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perris Valley Kia | $605 | 3 |
| 2 | Autonation | $412 | 42 |
| 3 | Ron Dupratt Ford | $368 | 7 |
| 4 | Honda North | $342 | 6 |
| 5 | Toyota of Glendale | $304 | 15 |
| 6 | Envision Ford of Oxnard | $185 | 5 |
| 7 | Hardin Buick GMC | $131 | 12 |
| 8 | Hayward Honda | $122 | 17 |
| 9 | Mataga Buick GMC | $122 | 10 |
| 10 | Team Mazda of El Cajon | $122 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Chevrolet of Carlsbad | F 0/100 | — | 5 |
| California Motors Direct: Fontana | F 15/100 | — | 4 |
| Chevrolet of Culver City | F 23/100 | — | 14 |
| Audi Rancho Mirage | F 29/100 | — | 3 |
| Clovis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | F 30/100 | — | 4 |
| Knight Audi Elk Grove | F 33/100 | — | 5 |
| Mazzei Chevrolet | F 33/100 | — | 3 |
| Cadillac of Beverly Hills | F 34/100 | — | 4 |
| Niello BMW Sacramento | F 35/100 | — | 3 |
| Jaguar Land Rover Marin | F 36/100 | — | 5 |
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?
Ford
135 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Toyota
135 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Ram
124 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Honda
118 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Chevrolet
113 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Jeep
107 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Dodge
105 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Chrysler
103 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Hyundai
74 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Kia
74 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
GMC
67 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Nissan
66 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Subaru
61 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
BMW
55 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Mazda
53 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
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 October 2026, the average documentation fee in California is $87, based on 10,713 verified out-the-door quotes from 1833 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $317 below the $404 national average.
Which California dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Perris Valley Kia charges the highest verified doc fee in California at $605. Doc fees across the state range from $12 to $1,000.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in California?
Royal Auto Group of San Francisco in San Francisco 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. 1339 of 2729 rated California dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.