Kentucky Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Kentucky? We analyzed 655 verified OTD quotes from 273 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of October 2026, the average doc fee at 205 rated Kentucky dealers is $613, $209 above the national average, based on 655 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Oct 18, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Bluegrass State
Kentucky's dealer grade: B
81/100 average transparency score
14th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Kentucky has the 14th-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $613.
- 160 of 273 rated Kentucky dealers earned an A for transparency; 70 earned a D or F.
- Kia Store East in Louisville is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Kentucky range from $50 to $1,270 — Morehead Auto Group charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Kentucky is accessories, appearing on 53% of itemized quotes at an average of $629.
Kentucky Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Kentucky
The most transparent dealers in Kentucky, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Kia Store East
Louisville, KY
$214 below the Kentucky average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesWildcat Chevrolet
Cadiz, KY
$64 below the Kentucky average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesBachman Subaru
Louisville, KY
$114 below the Kentucky average
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesTom Gill Chevrolet
Florence, KYFlorence, KY
Don Franklin Columbia Ford
Columbia, KYColumbia, KY
O'Brien Ford
Shelbyville, KYShelbyville, KY
Jeff Wyler Honda Auto Mall
Louisville, KYLouisville, KY
Jeff Wyler Honda In Florence
Florence, KYFlorence, KY
Jeff Wyler Nissan of Louisville
Saint Matthews, KYSaint Matthews, KY
Bachman Chevrolet
Jeffersontown, KYJeffersontown, 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 $613.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morehead Auto Group | $899 | 4 |
| 2 | Perkins Motor Plex | $899 | 4 |
| 3 | Tim Short Chevrolet | $899 | 4 |
| 4 | Toyota of Madisonville | $899 | 4 |
| 5 | Champion Chevrolet GMC | $895 | 5 |
| 6 | Tim Short Ford | $847 | 5 |
| 7 | Don Franklin Bardstown Chevrolet | $806 | 3 |
| 8 | Freedom Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Lexington | $799 | 12 |
| 9 | Lexus of Lexington | $799 | 12 |
| 10 | Louisville Infiniti | $799 | 8 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtesy Buick GMC | F 54/100 | — | 3 |
| Paducah Ford Lincoln | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Audi Louisville | D 60/100 | — | 4 |
| Kerry Chevrolet | C 77/100 | $399 | 3 |
| Kerry Mazda of Florence | C 79/100 | $399 | 4 |
| Bill Collins Ford Lincoln of Louisville | C 79/100 | $399 | 6 |
| Toyota of Ashland | C 79/100 | $699 | 3 |
| Lexus of Louisville | C 79/100 | $598 | 10 |
| Hardin County Honda | C 79/100 | $499 | 4 |
| Gates Honda | B 82/100 | $649 | 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?
Ford
29 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Chevrolet
25 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Jeep
22 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Chrysler
21 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Dodge
21 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Toyota
20 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Ram
20 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
GMC
18 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Nissan
13 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Hyundai
13 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
Honda
11 dealers · Avg score: 93/100
Buick
8 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Kia
7 dealers · Avg score: 68/100
Volkswagen
7 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Mazda
6 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
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.
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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 October 2026, the average documentation fee in Kentucky is $613, based on 655 verified out-the-door quotes from 205 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $209 above the $404 national average.
Which Kentucky dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Morehead Auto Group charges the highest verified doc fee in Kentucky at $899. Doc fees across the state range from $50 to $1,270.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Kentucky?
Kia Store East in Louisville is the highest-rated dealer in Kentucky with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 3 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. 160 of 273 rated Kentucky dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.