Iowa Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Iowa? We analyzed 465 verified OTD quotes from 232 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of September 2026, the average doc fee at 164 rated Iowa dealers is $195, $209 below the national average, based on 465 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Sep 26, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Hawkeye State
Iowa's dealer grade: C
78/100 average transparency score
50th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Iowa has the 50th-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $195.
- 124 of 232 rated Iowa dealers earned an A for transparency; 69 earned a D or F.
- C&S Car Company in Waterloo is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Iowa range from $50 to $975 — Team Lincoln charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Iowa is theft protection, appearing on 35% of itemized quotes at an average of $351.
Iowa Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Iowa
The most transparent dealers in Iowa, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
C&S Car Company
Waterloo, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesEdwards Kia
Council Bluffs, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesFort Dodge Ford Toyota
Fort Dodge, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesJerry's Ford Of Sheldon
Sheldon, IASheldon, IA
Jim Baier Inc.
Fort Madison, IAFort Madison, IA
Keast Auto Center
Harlan, IAHarlan, IA
Kia Of Des Moines
Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA
Lindquist Ford
Bettendorf, IABettendorf, IA
Mcgrath Hyundai Of Cedar Rapids
Hiawatha, IAHiawatha, IA
Mercedes-Benz Of Des Moines
Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in Iowa or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in Iowa
These Iowa dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $195.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team Lincoln | $699 | 3 |
| 2 | Stivers Ford | $699 | 6 |
| 3 | Ed Morse Ford | $607 | 9 |
| 4 | Deery Brothers | $465 | 3 |
| 5 | Granger Motors | $240 | 4 |
| 6 | Smart Kia Of Davenport | $240 | 4 |
| 7 | C&S Car Company | $180 | 3 |
| 8 | Edwards Kia | $180 | 3 |
| 9 | Fort Dodge Ford Toyota | $180 | 4 |
| 10 | Jerry's Ford Of Sheldon | $180 | 6 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in Iowa
These Iowa dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dahl Ford Davenport | F 54/100 | — | 3 |
| Le Mars Chevrolet | F 55/100 | — | 7 |
| Wilson Toyota Of Ames | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Karl Chevrolet | D 60/100 | — | 8 |
| Ed Morse Ford | C 73/100 | $607 | 9 |
| Stivers Ford | C 74/100 | $699 | 6 |
| Team Lincoln | C 76/100 | $699 | 3 |
| Mcgrath Kia | C 79/100 | $180 | 6 |
| Willis Cadillac | B 80/100 | $180 | 7 |
| Smart Honda Of Davenport | B 81/100 | $180 | 9 |
Most Common Add-ons in Iowa
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in Iowa, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in Iowa
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in Iowa?
Ford
37 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Chevrolet
23 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
GMC
16 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Dodge
15 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Chrysler
14 dealers · Avg score: 69/100
Ram
13 dealers · Avg score: 69/100
Toyota
12 dealers · Avg score: 94/100
Jeep
12 dealers · Avg score: 67/100
Buick
10 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
Hyundai
9 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Honda
8 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Nissan
8 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Kia
8 dealers · Avg score: 75/100
Lincoln
7 dealers · Avg score: 67/100
Subaru
5 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Ready to buy a car in Iowa? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in Iowa — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
Try CarEdge ProFind the Best Dealer in Iowa
Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in Iowa by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How Iowa compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
Iowa Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in Iowa?
As of September 2026, the average documentation fee in Iowa is $195, based on 465 verified out-the-door quotes from 164 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $209 below the $404 national average.
Which Iowa dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Team Lincoln charges the highest verified doc fee in Iowa at $699. Doc fees across the state range from $50 to $975.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Iowa?
C&S Car Company in Waterloo is the highest-rated dealer in Iowa with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 3 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in Iowa?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a Iowa dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 124 of 232 rated Iowa dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.