South Carolina Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in South Carolina? We analyzed 1,313 verified OTD quotes from 289 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of September 2026, the average doc fee at 233 rated South Carolina dealers is $511, $107 above the national average, based on 1,313 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Sep 7, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Palmetto State
South Carolina's dealer grade: B
86/100 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 $511.
- 182 of 289 rated South Carolina dealers earned an A for transparency; 30 earned a D or F.
- Vip Motors in West Columbia is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 4 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in South Carolina range from $33 to $1,070 — Starling Chevrolet charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in South Carolina is protection plan, appearing on 38% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,389.
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).
Vip Motors
West Columbia, SC
$412 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesQuality Kia Of Greenwood
Greenwood, SC
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesConway Ford
Conway, SC
$217 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 7 verified quotes
See the quotesWalterboro Ford
Walterboro, SCWalterboro, SC
Master Chevrolet
Aiken, SCAiken, SC
Hendrick Ineos Grenadier
Charleston, SCCharleston, SC
Mount Pleasant Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Mount Pleasant, SCMount Pleasant, SC
Scenic Chevrolet
West Union, SCWest Union, SC
Lake Murray Mitsubishi
Irmo, SCIrmo, SC
Benson Ford
Easley, SCEasley, 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 $511.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starling Chevrolet | $995 | 12 |
| 2 | Alm Hyundai Florence | $975 | 10 |
| 3 | O. C. Welch Ford Lincoln Inc. | $930 | 3 |
| 4 | Summerville Ford | $799 | 11 |
| 5 | Baker GMC | $799 | 3 |
| 6 | Mcdaniels Acura Of Charleston | $799 | 3 |
| 7 | Baker Cadillac Of Charleston | $799 | 8 |
| 8 | Hendrick Toyota Apex | $799 | 6 |
| 9 | Automaxx Of The Carolinas | $790 | 8 |
| 10 | Midlands Honda | $774 | 5 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | D 63/100 | $765 | 4 |
| Automaxx Of The Carolinas | D 67/100 | $790 | 8 |
| Mazda Of Greenville | D 69/100 | $699 | 7 |
| Classic Ford Lincoln Of Columbia | C 70/100 | $699 | 3 |
| BMW Of Columbia | C 70/100 | $0 | 4 |
| Herlong Chevrolet | C 70/100 | $225 | 3 |
| Hyundai Of North Charleston | C 70/100 | $719 | 5 |
| Miracle Nissan Of North Augusta | C 71/100 | $304 | 4 |
| Hyundai Of Charleston | C 73/100 | $719 | 4 |
| Florence Toyota | C 73/100 | $621 | 5 |
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
31 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Chevrolet
24 dealers · Avg score: 92/100
Dodge
22 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Toyota
22 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Chrysler
20 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Jeep
19 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Ram
18 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Honda
15 dealers · Avg score: 93/100
Nissan
14 dealers · Avg score: 90/100
GMC
13 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Hyundai
13 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Kia
11 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Lincoln
8 dealers · Avg score: 89/100
Buick
8 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Cadillac
5 dealers · Avg score: 93/100
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 September 2026, the average documentation fee in South Carolina is $511, based on 1,313 verified out-the-door quotes from 233 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $107 above the $404 national average.
Which South Carolina dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Starling Chevrolet charges the highest verified doc fee in South Carolina at $995. Doc fees across the state range from $33 to $1,070.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in South Carolina?
Vip Motors in West Columbia is the highest-rated dealer in South Carolina with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 4 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. 182 of 289 rated South Carolina dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.