North Carolina Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in North Carolina? We analyzed 2,820 verified OTD quotes from 746 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of September 2026, the average doc fee at 628 rated North Carolina dealers is $754, $350 above the national average, based on 2,820 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Sep 28, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Tar Heel State
North Carolina's dealer grade: B
82/100 average transparency score
6th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- North Carolina has the 6th-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $754.
- 433 of 746 rated North Carolina dealers earned an A for transparency; 143 earned a D or F.
- Southern States Mazda Of Raleigh in Raleigh is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 8 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in North Carolina range from $49 to $1,495 — Cadillac Of Fayetteville charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in North Carolina is protection plan, appearing on 29% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,134.
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).
Southern States Mazda Of Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
No mandatory add-ons · 8 verified quotes
See the quotesCarsnc Inc
Wake Forest, NC
$255 below the North Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesMount Airy Toyota
Mount Airy, NC
$55 below the North Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 10 verified quotes
See the quotesLifetime Kia
Murphy, NCMurphy, NC
Lee Ford Of Wilson
Wilson, NCWilson, NC
Mercedes-Benz Of Raleigh
Raleigh, NCRaleigh, NC
Medlin Mazda
Wilson, NCWilson, NC
Medlin Hyundai
Rocky Mount, NCRocky Mount, NC
Medlin Buick GMC
Wilson, NCWilson, NC
Fox Automotive Group
Statesville, NCStatesville, 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 $754.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cadillac Of Fayetteville | $1,038 | 3 |
| 2 | Discovery Nissan | $999 | 9 |
| 3 | Mount Airy Nissan | $999 | 3 |
| 4 | Shelby Honda | $999 | 3 |
| 5 | Hyundai Of Union County | $999 | 17 |
| 6 | Sanford Honda | $999 | 8 |
| 7 | Greenville Nissan | $999 | 3 |
| 8 | Randy Marion Kia | $999 | 8 |
| 9 | Classic Toyota Of Wilkesboro | $999 | 13 |
| 10 | East Charlotte Nissan | $999 | 5 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | F 39/100 | — | 4 |
| Flow Auto Of Fayetteville | F 49/100 | — | 9 |
| Mooresville Ford | F 50/100 | $899 | 4 |
| Coastal Kia | F 50/100 | $869 | 3 |
| Deacon Jones Gm Of Smithfield | F 51/100 | — | 4 |
| Trent Cadillac | F 56/100 | — | 4 |
| Infiniti Of Charlotte | F 57/100 | $999 | 6 |
| Clark Chevrolet Cadillac | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| A & Z Auto Brokers | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Metro Honda | D 66/100 | $799 | 7 |
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
74 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
Chevrolet
66 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
GMC
44 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Ram
39 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Chrysler
37 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
Jeep
37 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
Dodge
36 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Toyota
35 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Nissan
34 dealers · Avg score: 92/100
Hyundai
32 dealers · Avg score: 92/100
Kia
29 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Buick
27 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Honda
26 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Mazda
21 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Subaru
15 dealers · Avg score: 93/100
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 September 2026, the average documentation fee in North Carolina is $754, based on 2,820 verified out-the-door quotes from 628 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $350 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 $49 to $1,495.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in North Carolina?
Southern States Mazda Of Raleigh in Raleigh is the highest-rated dealer in North Carolina with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 8 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. 433 of 746 rated North Carolina dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.