South Carolina Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in South Carolina? We analyzed 1,209 verified OTD quotes from 322 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of October 2026, the average doc fee at 258 rated South Carolina dealers is $525, $121 above the national average, based on 1,209 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Oct 18, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Palmetto State
South Carolina's dealer grade: B
82/100 average transparency score
21st highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- South Carolina has the 21st-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $525.
- 175 of 322 rated South Carolina dealers earned an A for transparency; 78 earned a D or F.
- Stokes Toyota Hilton Head in Bluffton is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in South Carolina range from $35 to $1,070 — Alm Hyundai Florence charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in South Carolina is protection plan, appearing on 33% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,227.
South Carolina Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in South Carolina
The most transparent dealers in South Carolina, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Stokes Toyota Hilton Head
Bluffton, SC
$26 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesSumter Chrysler Dodge
Sumter, SC
$26 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesHendrick Ineos Grenadier
Charleston, SC
$300 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesEscude Nissan of Greer
Greer, SCGreer, SC
Raceway Chevrolet
Hartsville, SCHartsville, SC
Quality Kia of Greenwood
Greenwood, SCGreenwood, SC
Spartanburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Spartanburg, SCSpartanburg, SC
Walterboro Ford
Walterboro, SCWalterboro, SC
North Strand Nissan
Little River, SCLittle River, SC
Vip Motors
West Columbia, SCWest Columbia, SC
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in South Carolina or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in South Carolina
These South Carolina dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $525.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alm Hyundai Florence | $995 | 8 |
| 2 | Starling Chevrolet | $995 | 10 |
| 3 | O.C. Welch Lincoln | $899 | 3 |
| 4 | Summerville Ford | $799 | 10 |
| 5 | Baker Cadillac of Charleston | $799 | 4 |
| 6 | Mcdaniels Acura of Charleston | $799 | 3 |
| 7 | Automaxx of the Carolinas | $790 | 6 |
| 8 | Midlands Honda | $774 | 5 |
| 9 | Midlands Toyota | $774 | 9 |
| 10 | Hudson Nissan of Summerville | $769 | 16 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in South Carolina
These South Carolina dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaden of Beaufort | F 48/100 | — | 4 |
| Starling Chevrolet Mp LLC | F 50/100 | — | 5 |
| Miracle Nissan of North Augusta | F 57/100 | $607 | 3 |
| Holler Nissan St. Andrews | D 60/100 | — | 7 |
| Burns Chevrolet Inc | D 60/100 | — | 4 |
| Burns Chevrolet Cadillac Inc | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Gerald Jones GMC | D 61/100 | $589 | 3 |
| Classic Ford Lincoln of Columbia | D 64/100 | $699 | 3 |
| Mazda of Greenville | D 65/100 | $699 | 5 |
| Automaxx of the Carolinas | D 67/100 | $790 | 6 |
Most Common Add-ons in South Carolina
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in South Carolina, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in South Carolina
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in South Carolina?
Ford
35 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Chevrolet
29 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Dodge
21 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Chrysler
20 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Jeep
19 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Toyota
18 dealers · Avg score: 89/100
Ram
17 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Nissan
16 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
GMC
15 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Honda
15 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Hyundai
13 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Kia
11 dealers · Avg score: 91/100
Lincoln
9 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Buick
9 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Subaru
6 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Ready to buy a car in South Carolina? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in South Carolina — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
Try CarEdge ProFind the Best Dealer in South Carolina
Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in South Carolina by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How South Carolina compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
South Carolina Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in South Carolina?
As of October 2026, the average documentation fee in South Carolina is $525, based on 1,209 verified out-the-door quotes from 258 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $121 above the $404 national average.
Which South Carolina dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Alm Hyundai Florence charges the highest verified doc fee in South Carolina at $995. Doc fees across the state range from $35 to $1,070.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in South Carolina?
Stokes Toyota Hilton Head in Bluffton is the highest-rated dealer in South Carolina with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 3 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in South Carolina?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a South Carolina dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 175 of 322 rated South Carolina dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.