South Carolina Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in South Carolina? We analyzed 1,125 verified OTD quotes from 307 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of September 2026, the average doc fee at 244 rated South Carolina dealers is $528, $124 above the national average, based on 1,125 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Sep 27, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Palmetto State
South Carolina's dealer grade: B
81/100 average transparency score
22nd highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- South Carolina has the 22nd-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $528.
- 162 of 307 rated South Carolina dealers earned an A for transparency; 76 earned a D or F.
- Conway Ford in Conway is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 5 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in South Carolina range from $35 to $1,070 — Starling Chevrolet charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in South Carolina is protection plan, appearing on 37% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,398.
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).
Conway Ford
Conway, SC
$234 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesWalterboro Ford
Walterboro, SC
$29 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 20 verified quotes
See the quotesVip Motors
West Columbia, SC
$429 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesJones Ford
North Charleston, SCNorth Charleston, SC
King Cadillac
Florence, SCFlorence, SC
Lake Murray Mitsubishi
Irmo, SCIrmo, SC
Toyota Of Easley
Easley, SCEasley, SC
Benson Ford
Easley, SCEasley, SC
Sumter Chrysler Dodge
Sumter, SCSumter, SC
Hendrick Ineos Grenadier
Charleston, SCCharleston, 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 $528.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starling Chevrolet | $995 | 9 |
| 2 | Alm Hyundai Florence | $995 | 8 |
| 3 | Summerville Ford | $799 | 10 |
| 4 | Baker Cadillac Of Charleston | $799 | 4 |
| 5 | Mcdaniels Acura Of Charleston | $799 | 3 |
| 6 | Automaxx Of The Carolinas | $790 | 6 |
| 7 | Midlands Honda | $774 | 5 |
| 8 | Midlands Toyota | $774 | 9 |
| 9 | Hudson Nissan Of Summerville | $769 | 16 |
| 10 | Miracle Toyota Of North Augusta | $765 | 18 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW Of Columbia | F 30/100 | — | 4 |
| 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 |
| Gerald Jones GMC | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Burns Chevrolet Inc | D 60/100 | — | 4 |
| Burns Chevrolet Cadillac Inc | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Classic Ford Lincoln Of Columbia | D 64/100 | $699 | 3 |
| Mazda Of Greenville | D 65/100 | $699 | 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
33 dealers · Avg score: 89/100
Chevrolet
27 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Dodge
21 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Chrysler
20 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Jeep
19 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Toyota
19 dealers · Avg score: 89/100
Ram
17 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Nissan
15 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Honda
15 dealers · Avg score: 89/100
GMC
14 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Hyundai
13 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Kia
11 dealers · Avg score: 90/100
Buick
9 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Lincoln
9 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Cadillac
6 dealers · Avg score: 89/100
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 $528, based on 1,125 verified out-the-door quotes from 244 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $124 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 $35 to $1,070.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in South Carolina?
Conway Ford in Conway is the highest-rated dealer in South Carolina with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 5 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. 162 of 307 rated South Carolina dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.