Iowa Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Iowa? We analyzed 464 verified OTD quotes from 237 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of November 2026, the average doc fee at 175 rated Iowa dealers is $171, $233 below the national average, based on 464 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Nov 6, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Hawkeye State
Iowa's dealer grade: B
80/100 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 $171.
- 135 of 237 rated Iowa dealers earned an A for transparency; 62 earned a D or F.
- Jensen Mazda in Sioux City is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Iowa range from $65 to $245 — Granger Ford charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Iowa is theft protection, appearing on 28% of itemized quotes at an average of $346.
Iowa Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Iowa
The most transparent dealers in Iowa, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Jensen Mazda
Sioux City, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesJim Baier Ford
Fort Madison, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesLindquist Ford
Bettendorf, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesKeast Auto Center
Harlan, IAHarlan, IA
Vaughn Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM
Ottumwa, IAOttumwa, IA
Vaughn Automotive - Buick GMC of Ottumwa
Ottumwa, IAOttumwa, IA
Vaughn Automotive
Ottumwa, IAOttumwa, IA
Toyota of Des Moines
Grimes, IAGrimes, IA
Stivers Ford of Waukee
Waukee, IAWaukee, IA
Carousel Mercedes-Benz
Iowa City, IAIowa City, 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 $171.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Granger Ford | $245 | 5 |
| 2 | Jensen Mazda | $180 | 3 |
| 3 | Jim Baier Ford | $180 | 3 |
| 4 | Lindquist Ford | $180 | 5 |
| 5 | Vaughn Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM | $180 | 5 |
| 6 | Vaughn Automotive - Buick GMC of Ottumwa | $180 | 4 |
| 7 | Vaughn Automotive | $180 | 7 |
| 8 | Toyota of Des Moines | $180 | 3 |
| 9 | Stivers Ford of Waukee | $180 | 4 |
| 10 | Carousel Mercedes-Benz | $180 | 4 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcgrath Kia | C 78/100 | $180 | 9 |
| Shottenkirk Chevrolet Fort Madison | C 79/100 | $180 | 5 |
| Willis Cadillac | C 79/100 | $180 | 4 |
| Smart Honda of Davenport | B 82/100 | $180 | 8 |
| Smart Kia of Davenport | B 84/100 | $180 | 4 |
| Smart Toyota of Quad Cities | B 85/100 | $180 | 7 |
| Honda of Altoona | B 86/100 | $180 | 4 |
| Finnin Kia | B 87/100 | $160 | 6 |
| Pat Mcgrath Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM | B 88/100 | $180 | 5 |
| Smart Toyota | B 88/100 | $180 | 3 |
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
34 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Chevrolet
25 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
GMC
16 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Dodge
14 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Toyota
14 dealers · Avg score: 92/100
Chrysler
13 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Ram
13 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Jeep
12 dealers · Avg score: 75/100
Buick
10 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Kia
8 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Nissan
6 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Honda
6 dealers · Avg score: 92/100
Hyundai
5 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Subaru
5 dealers · Avg score: 90/100
Lincoln
4 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
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 November 2026, the average documentation fee in Iowa is $171, based on 464 verified out-the-door quotes from 175 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $233 below the $404 national average.
Which Iowa dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Granger Ford charges the highest verified doc fee in Iowa at $245. Doc fees across the state range from $65 to $245.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Iowa?
Jensen Mazda in Sioux City 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. 135 of 237 rated Iowa dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.