Iowa Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Iowa? We analyzed 307 verified OTD quotes from 102 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of July 2026, the average doc fee at 102 rated Iowa dealers is $171, $229 below the national average, based on 307 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Jul 7, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Hawkeye State
Iowa's dealer grade: C
78/100 average transparency score
51st highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Iowa has the 51st-highest average doc fee of the 53 states we track, at $171.
- 61 of 102 rated Iowa dealers earned an A for transparency; 20 earned a D or F.
- Deery Brothers Nissan Of Dubuque in Dubuque is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 6 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Iowa range from $0 to $899 — Shottenkirk, Inc. charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Iowa is paint protection, appearing on 33% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,122.
Iowa Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Iowa
The most transparent dealers in Iowa, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Deery Brothers Nissan Of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesC & S Car Company
Waterloo, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesDeery Brothers
West Burlington, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesEdwards Kia
Council Bluffs, IACouncil Bluffs, IA
Keast Auto Center
Harlan, IAHarlan, IA
Kimberly Chrysler Plymouth Inc
Davenport, IADavenport, IA
Lindquist Ford
Bettendorf, IABettendorf, IA
Mercedes-Benz Of Des Moines
Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA
Motor Inn Of Carroll
Carroll, IACarroll, IA
Smart Honda
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 $171.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shottenkirk, Inc. | $899 | 3 |
| 2 | Randy Kuehl Honda | $253 | 7 |
| 3 | Granger Motors | $217 | 3 |
| 4 | Deery Brothers Nissan Of Dubuque | $180 | 6 |
| 5 | C & S Car Company | $180 | 4 |
| 6 | Deery Brothers | $180 | 5 |
| 7 | Edwards Kia | $180 | 3 |
| 8 | Kimberly Chrysler Plymouth Inc | $180 | 3 |
| 9 | Lindquist Ford | $180 | 5 |
| 10 | Mercedes-Benz Of Des Moines | $180 | 3 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shottenkirk, Inc. | F 54.7/100 | $899 | 3 |
| Randy Kuehl Honda | C 76.7/100 | $253 | 7 |
| Mcgrath Kia | C 78/100 | $180 | 20 |
| Honda Of Altoona | C 78.7/100 | $180 | 3 |
| Deyarman Ford Indianola | C 79.5/100 | $180 | 4 |
| Smart Lexus Of Quad Cities | B 81/100 | $135 | 4 |
| Smart Honda Of Davenport | B 81.3/100 | $180 | 15 |
| Witham Auto Centers | B 82/100 | $155 | 4 |
| Willis Cadillac | B 84.6/100 | $180 | 10 |
| Smart Toyota Of Quad Cities | B 86.3/100 | $180 | 6 |
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
16 dealers · Avg score: 91/100
Toyota
9 dealers · Avg score: 70/100
Chrysler
8 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Dodge
8 dealers · Avg score: 69/100
Ram
7 dealers · Avg score: 53/100
Chevrolet
6 dealers · Avg score: 89/100
Jeep
6 dealers · Avg score: 62/100
Honda
6 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Nissan
5 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Hyundai
5 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
GMC
4 dealers · Avg score: 53/100
Kia
3 dealers · Avg score: 93/100
Volkswagen
3 dealers · Avg score: 91/100
Lincoln
3 dealers · Avg score: 90/100
Buick
3 dealers · Avg score: 49/100
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 July 2026, the average documentation fee in Iowa is $171, based on 307 verified out-the-door quotes from 102 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $229 below the $400 national average.
Which Iowa dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Shottenkirk, Inc. charges the highest verified doc fee in Iowa at $899. Doc fees across the state range from $0 to $899.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Iowa?
Deery Brothers Nissan Of Dubuque in Dubuque 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. 61 of 102 rated Iowa dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.