South Carolina Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in South Carolina? We analyzed 1,294 verified OTD quotes from 333 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of November 2026, the average doc fee at 242 rated South Carolina dealers is $526, $122 above the national average, based on 1,294 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Nov 7, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Palmetto State
South Carolina's dealer grade: C
79/100 average transparency score
23rd highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- South Carolina has the 23rd-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $526.
- 159 of 333 rated South Carolina dealers earned an A for transparency; 100 earned a D or F.
- Fred Caldwell Chevrolet in Clover is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in South Carolina range from $5 to $999 — Alm Hyundai Florence charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in South Carolina is protection plan, appearing on 31% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,195.
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).
Fred Caldwell Chevrolet
Clover, SC
$27 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesVip Motors
West Columbia, SC
$427 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesNorth Strand Nissan
Little River, SC
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesLand Rover Greenville
Greenville, SCGreenville, SC
Century BMW
Greenville, SCGreenville, SC
Lake Murray Mitsubishi
Irmo, SCIrmo, SC
Gaffney Buick GMC
Gaffney, SCGaffney, SC
King Cadillac
Florence, SCFlorence, SC
Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet
Greenville, SCGreenville, SC
Herlong Chevrolet
Batesburg-Leesville, SCBatesburg-Leesville, 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 $526.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alm Hyundai Florence | $995 | 8 |
| 2 | Starling Chevrolet | $995 | 9 |
| 3 | O.C. Welch Lincoln | $899 | 4 |
| 4 | Classic Ford of Columbia | $849 | 3 |
| 5 | Baker GMC | $799 | 4 |
| 6 | Summerville Ford | $799 | 10 |
| 7 | Mcdaniels Acura of Charleston | $799 | 4 |
| 8 | Automaxx of the Carolinas | $790 | 6 |
| 9 | Midlands Honda | $774 | 6 |
| 10 | Midlands Toyota | $774 | 9 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Dyer Volvo Cars | F 30/100 | — | 3 |
| Vaden of Beaufort | F 48/100 | — | 4 |
| D and D Motors Inc | F 54/100 | — | 3 |
| Burns Ford of York | F 57/100 | — | 6 |
| Miracle Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Aiken | F 57/100 | $712 | 4 |
| Burns Chevrolet of Gaffney | D 60/100 | — | 5 |
| Select Sales LLC | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Holler Nissan St. Andrews | D 60/100 | — | 7 |
| Hyundai of Anderson | D 60/100 | — | 10 |
| Gerald Jones GMC | D 61/100 | $589 | 3 |
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: 87/100
Chevrolet
33 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Dodge
23 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Jeep
22 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Chrysler
21 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Ram
20 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Nissan
20 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Toyota
18 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Honda
16 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
GMC
14 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Kia
14 dealers · Avg score: 90/100
Hyundai
13 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Buick
7 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Cadillac
7 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
Mazda
7 dealers · Avg score: 91/100
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 November 2026, the average documentation fee in South Carolina is $526, based on 1,294 verified out-the-door quotes from 242 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $122 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 $5 to $999.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in South Carolina?
Fred Caldwell Chevrolet in Clover 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. 159 of 333 rated South Carolina dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.