Kentucky Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Kentucky? We analyzed 719 verified OTD quotes from 274 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of November 2026, the average doc fee at 214 rated Kentucky dealers is $599, $195 above the national average, based on 719 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Nov 7, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Bluegrass State
Kentucky's dealer grade: B
83/100 average transparency score
15th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Kentucky has the 15th-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $599.
- 162 of 274 rated Kentucky dealers earned an A for transparency; 62 earned a D or F.
- O'brien Ford in Shelbyville is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 4 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Kentucky range from $22 to $1,270 — Shelbyville Chrysler Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Kentucky is accessories, appearing on 37% of itemized quotes at an average of $739.
Kentucky Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Kentucky
The most transparent dealers in Kentucky, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
O'brien Ford
Shelbyville, KY
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesWildcat Chevrolet
Cadiz, KY
$50 below the Kentucky average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesBachman Chevrolet
Jeffersontown, KY
$100 below the Kentucky average
No mandatory add-ons · 8 verified quotes
See the quotesBachman Subaru
Louisville, KYLouisville, KY
Linwood Hyundai
Paducah, KYPaducah, KY
Kia Store East
Louisville, KYLouisville, KY
Coad Toyota Paducah
Paducah, KYPaducah, KY
Toyota of Bowling Green
Bowling Green, KYBowling Green, KY
Craig and Landreth Cars
Louisville, KYLouisville, KY
Swope Hyundai
Elizabethtown, KYElizabethtown, KY
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in Kentucky or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in Kentucky
These Kentucky dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $599.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shelbyville Chrysler Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM | $1,035 | 4 |
| 2 | Tim Short Chevrolet | $899 | 5 |
| 3 | Perkins Motor Plex | $899 | 4 |
| 4 | Tim Short Lincoln | $899 | 3 |
| 5 | Toyota of Madisonville | $899 | 4 |
| 6 | Champion Chevrolet GMC | $895 | 6 |
| 7 | Porsche Louisville | $895 | 3 |
| 8 | Audi Louisville | $895 | 6 |
| 9 | Don Franklin Lexington Buick GMC | $806 | 8 |
| 10 | Freedom Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Lexington | $799 | 9 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in Kentucky
These Kentucky dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxmoor CDJR | F 49/100 | — | 9 |
| Paducah Mazda | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Gates Nissan of Richmond | D 60/100 | — | 5 |
| Audi Louisville | C 75/100 | $895 | 6 |
| Kerry Volkswagen of Florence | C 77/100 | $399 | 4 |
| Shelbyville Chrysler Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM | C 78/100 | $1,035 | 4 |
| Lexus of Louisville | C 79/100 | $598 | 11 |
| Kia of Lexington | C 79/100 | $100 | 6 |
| Kerry Mazda of Florence | C 79/100 | $399 | 6 |
| Kerry Chevrolet | C 79/100 | $399 | 4 |
Most Common Add-ons in Kentucky
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in Kentucky, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in Kentucky
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in Kentucky?
Chevrolet
32 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Ford
26 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Jeep
26 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Chrysler
25 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Dodge
24 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Ram
23 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Toyota
19 dealers · Avg score: 91/100
Nissan
13 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Honda
12 dealers · Avg score: 91/100
Hyundai
12 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
GMC
11 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
Buick
7 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Kia
7 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Mazda
7 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Volkswagen
5 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Ready to buy a car in Kentucky? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in Kentucky — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
Try CarEdge ProFind the Best Dealer in Kentucky
Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in Kentucky by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How Kentucky compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
Kentucky Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in Kentucky?
As of November 2026, the average documentation fee in Kentucky is $599, based on 719 verified out-the-door quotes from 214 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $195 above the $404 national average.
Which Kentucky dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Shelbyville Chrysler Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM charges the highest verified doc fee in Kentucky at $1,035. Doc fees across the state range from $22 to $1,270.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Kentucky?
O'brien Ford in Shelbyville is the highest-rated dealer in Kentucky with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 4 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in Kentucky?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a Kentucky dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 162 of 274 rated Kentucky dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.