North Carolina Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in North Carolina? We analyzed 2,971 verified OTD quotes from 626 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of August 2026, the average doc fee at 524 rated North Carolina dealers is $738, $334 above the national average, based on 2,971 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Aug 17, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Tar Heel State
North Carolina's dealer grade: B
82/100 average transparency score
5th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- North Carolina has the 5th-highest average doc fee of the 51 states we track, at $738.
- 364 of 626 rated North Carolina dealers earned an A for transparency; 84 earned a D or F.
- Lee Ford Of Wilson in Wilson is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in North Carolina range from $61 to $1,495 — Cadillac Of Fayetteville charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in North Carolina is protection plan, appearing on 33% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,192.
North Carolina Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in North Carolina
The most transparent dealers in North Carolina, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Lee Ford Of Wilson
Wilson, NC
$40 below the North Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesToyota Of Roanoke Rapids
Roanoke Rapids, NC
$39 below the North Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesCarsnc Inc
Wake Forest, NC
$239 below the North Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesSouthern States Mazda Of Raleigh
Raleigh, NCRaleigh, NC
Clark Chevrolet Cadillac
Pinehurst, NCPinehurst, NC
Raceway Chevrolet
Monroe, NCMonroe, NC
Dieffenbach Gm Superstore
Rockingham, NCRockingham, NC
Mount Airy Toyota
Mount Airy, NCMount Airy, NC
Medlin Buick GMC
Wilson, NCWilson, NC
Fields Mazda Of Asheville
Asheville, NCAsheville, NC
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in North Carolina or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in North Carolina
These North Carolina dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $738.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cadillac Of Fayetteville | $1,038 | 3 |
| 2 | Mount Airy Nissan | $999 | 4 |
| 3 | Nissan Of Boone | $999 | 3 |
| 4 | Discovery Nissan | $999 | 10 |
| 5 | Sanford Honda | $999 | 9 |
| 6 | Nissan Of Hendersonville | $999 | 5 |
| 7 | Randy Marion Kia | $999 | 8 |
| 8 | Randy Marion Chevrolet Of Statesville | $999 | 8 |
| 9 | Classic Toyota Of Wilkesboro | $999 | 14 |
| 10 | Randy Marion Ford Lincoln | $999 | 6 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in North Carolina
These North Carolina dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Kia | F 50/100 | $869 | 3 |
| Infiniti Of Charlotte | F 57/100 | $999 | 6 |
| Cadillac Of South Charlotte | D 61/100 | $899 | 5 |
| Flow Acura Of Wilmington | D 61/100 | $799 | 4 |
| Dream Work Automotive | D 61/100 | $999 | 12 |
| Keffer Hyundai | D 61/100 | $900 | 25 |
| Carmazone | D 62/100 | $898 | 3 |
| Classic Ford Smithfield | D 68/100 | $999 | 6 |
| Parks Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Gastonia | D 68/100 | $998 | 6 |
| Jacksonville Kia | D 69/100 | $947 | 4 |
Most Common Add-ons in North Carolina
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in North Carolina, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in North Carolina
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in North Carolina?
Ford
67 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Chevrolet
62 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
GMC
37 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Toyota
35 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Jeep
33 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Ram
33 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
Nissan
33 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Dodge
32 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Hyundai
32 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Chrysler
31 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
Kia
26 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Honda
24 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
Buick
22 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Mazda
18 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Subaru
17 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Ready to buy a car in North Carolina? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in North Carolina — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
Try CarEdge ProFind the Best Dealer in North Carolina
Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in North Carolina by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How North Carolina compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
North Carolina Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in North Carolina?
As of August 2026, the average documentation fee in North Carolina is $738, based on 2,971 verified out-the-door quotes from 524 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $334 above the $404 national average.
Which North Carolina dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Cadillac Of Fayetteville charges the highest verified doc fee in North Carolina at $1,038. Doc fees across the state range from $61 to $1,495.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in North Carolina?
Lee Ford Of Wilson in Wilson is the highest-rated dealer in North Carolina with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 3 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in North Carolina?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a North Carolina dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 364 of 626 rated North Carolina dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.