South Dakota Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in South Dakota? We analyzed 96 verified OTD quotes from 48 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of September 2026, the average doc fee at 31 rated South Dakota dealers is $280, $124 below the national average, based on 96 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Sep 6, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Mount Rushmore State
South Dakota's dealer grade: C
79/100 average transparency score
43rd highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- South Dakota has the 43rd-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $280.
- 32 of 48 rated South Dakota dealers earned an A for transparency; 8 earned a D or F.
- Cadillac Of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in South Dakota range from $99 to $599 — Schulte Subaru charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in South Dakota is accessories, appearing on 50% of itemized quotes at an average of $567.
South Dakota Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in South Dakota
The most transparent dealers in South Dakota, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Cadillac Of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesSioux Falls Ford
Sioux Falls, SD
$74 below the South Dakota average
No mandatory add-ons · 8 verified quotes
See the quotesSchulte Subaru
Sioux Falls, SD
$69 above the South Dakota average
No mandatory add-ons · 7 verified quotes
See the quotesVern Eide Ford
Mitchell, SDMitchell, SD
Sharp Automotive Group
Watertown, SDWatertown, SD
Lamb Motor Co. Inc.
Onida, SDOnida, SD
Denny Menholt Toyota
Rapid City, SDRapid City, SD
Vern Eide Honda
Sioux Falls, SDSioux Falls, SD
Billion Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SDSioux Falls, SD
Billion Buick GMC
Sioux Falls, SDSioux Falls, SD
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in South Dakota or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in South Dakota
These South Dakota dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $280.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schulte Subaru | $349 | 7 |
| 2 | Denny Menholt Toyota | $299 | 3 |
| 3 | Cadillac Of Sioux Falls | $275 | 3 |
| 4 | Vern Eide Ford | $259 | 6 |
| 5 | Vern Eide Honda | $259 | 3 |
| 6 | Billion Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat Sioux Falls | $249 | 6 |
| 7 | Billion Automotive | $243 | 11 |
| 8 | Sioux Falls Ford | $206 | 8 |
| 9 | Billion Buick GMC | $180 | 3 |
| 10 | Sharp Automotive Group | $125 | 4 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in South Dakota
These South Dakota dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billion Automotive | F 46/100 | $243 | 11 |
| Billion Buick GMC | C 78/100 | $180 | 3 |
| Billion Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat Sioux Falls | B 83/100 | $249 | 6 |
| Vern Eide Honda | B 85/100 | $259 | 3 |
| Lamb Motor Co. Inc. | A 90/100 | $0 | 4 |
| Denny Menholt Toyota | A 90/100 | $299 | 3 |
| Sharp Automotive Group | A 95/100 | $125 | 4 |
| Sioux Falls Ford | A 98/100 | $206 | 8 |
| Schulte Subaru | A 98/100 | $349 | 7 |
| Vern Eide Ford | A 98/100 | $259 | 6 |
Most Common Add-ons in South Dakota
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in South Dakota, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in South Dakota
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in South Dakota?
Ford
7 dealers · Avg score: 66/100
Chrysler
4 dealers · Avg score: 46/100
Dodge
4 dealers · Avg score: 21/100
Jeep
4 dealers · Avg score: 21/100
Ram
4 dealers · Avg score: 21/100
Kia
3 dealers · Avg score: 60/100
Cadillac
3 dealers · Avg score: 66/100
Chevrolet
3 dealers · Avg score: 61/100
Mazda
3 dealers · Avg score: 60/100
Subaru
2 dealers · Avg score: 99/100
Lincoln
2 dealers · Avg score: 97/100
Toyota
2 dealers · Avg score: 45/100
Honda
2 dealers · Avg score: 43/100
Buick
2 dealers · Avg score: 39/100
GMC
2 dealers · Avg score: 39/100
Ready to buy a car in South Dakota? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in South Dakota — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
Try CarEdge ProFind the Best Dealer in South Dakota
Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in South Dakota by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How South Dakota compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
South Dakota Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in South Dakota?
As of September 2026, the average documentation fee in South Dakota is $280, based on 96 verified out-the-door quotes from 31 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $124 below the $404 national average.
Which South Dakota dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Schulte Subaru charges the highest verified doc fee in South Dakota at $349. Doc fees across the state range from $99 to $599.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in South Dakota?
Cadillac Of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls is the highest-rated dealer in South Dakota with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 3 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in South Dakota?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a South Dakota dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 32 of 48 rated South Dakota dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.