Iowa Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Iowa? We analyzed 486 verified OTD quotes from 251 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of October 2026, the average doc fee at 180 rated Iowa dealers is $187, $217 below the national average, based on 486 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Oct 16, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Hawkeye State
Iowa's dealer grade: C
79/100 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 $187.
- 142 of 251 rated Iowa dealers earned an A for transparency; 72 earned a D or F.
- Jerry's Ford of Sheldon in Sheldon is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 6 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Iowa range from $20 to $975 — Team Lincoln charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Iowa is theft protection, appearing on 31% of itemized quotes at an average of $334.
Iowa Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Iowa
The most transparent dealers in Iowa, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Jerry's Ford of Sheldon
Sheldon, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesJim Baier Inc.
Fort Madison, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesKeast Auto Center
Harlan, IA
$38 below the Iowa average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesMotor Inn of Carroll
Carroll, IACarroll, IA
Kia of Des Moines
Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA
Mercedes-Benz of Des Moines
Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA
Lindquist Ford
Bettendorf, IABettendorf, IA
Mcgrath Hyundai of Cedar Rapids
Hiawatha, IAHiawatha, IA
Vaughn Automotive
Ottumwa, IAOttumwa, IA
Stivers Ford Lincoln
Waukee, IAWaukee, 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 $187.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team Lincoln | $699 | 3 |
| 2 | Deery Brothers | $465 | 3 |
| 3 | Granger Motors | $245 | 4 |
| 4 | Jerry's Ford of Sheldon | $180 | 6 |
| 5 | Jim Baier Inc. | $180 | 3 |
| 6 | Motor Inn of Carroll | $180 | 3 |
| 7 | Kia of Des Moines | $180 | 3 |
| 8 | Mercedes-Benz of Des Moines | $180 | 3 |
| 9 | Lindquist Ford | $180 | 5 |
| 10 | Vaughn Automotive | $180 | 8 |
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 |
| Stivers Ford | F 56/100 | — | 5 |
| Le Mars Chevrolet | F 58/100 | — | 8 |
| Karl Chevrolet | D 60/100 | — | 9 |
| Wilson Toyota of Ames | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Team Lincoln | C 75/100 | $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 |
| Smart Lexus of Quad Cities | B 81/100 | $180 | 4 |
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
39 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Chevrolet
25 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
GMC
16 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
Dodge
16 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Chrysler
15 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
Toyota
15 dealers · Avg score: 93/100
Ram
15 dealers · Avg score: 75/100
Jeep
13 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Buick
11 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Hyundai
9 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Nissan
8 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Honda
8 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Kia
7 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Lincoln
7 dealers · Avg score: 67/100
Subaru
6 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
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.
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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 October 2026, the average documentation fee in Iowa is $187, based on 486 verified out-the-door quotes from 180 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $217 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 $20 to $975.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Iowa?
Jerry's Ford of Sheldon in Sheldon is the highest-rated dealer in Iowa with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 6 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. 142 of 251 rated Iowa dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.