South Dakota Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in South Dakota? We analyzed 87 verified OTD quotes from 53 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of November 2026, the average doc fee at 41 rated South Dakota dealers is $268, $136 below the national average, based on 87 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Nov 7, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Mount Rushmore State
South Dakota's dealer grade: C
79/100 average transparency score
44th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- South Dakota has the 44th-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $268.
- 32 of 53 rated South Dakota dealers earned an A for transparency; 14 earned a D or F.
- Northtown Automotive Chevrolet in Yankton is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in South Dakota range from $50 to $599 — Schulte Subaru charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in South Dakota is accessories, appearing on 55% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,071.
South Dakota Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 8 Most Transparent Dealers in South Dakota
The most transparent dealers in South Dakota, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Northtown Automotive Chevrolet
Yankton, SD
$69 below the South Dakota average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesVern Eide Ford
Mitchell, SD
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesMckie Ford
Rapid City, SD
$31 above the South Dakota average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesSchulte Subaru
Sioux Falls, SDSioux Falls, SD
Courtesy Subaru
Rapid City, SDRapid City, SD
Granite Buick GMC
Rapid City, SDRapid City, SD
Sioux Falls Ford
Sioux Falls, SDSioux Falls, SD
Billion Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Fiat Sioux Falls
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 $268.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schulte Subaru | $349 | 10 |
| 2 | Mckie Ford | $299 | 4 |
| 3 | Granite Buick GMC | $299 | 4 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls Ford | $275 | 6 |
| 5 | Vern Eide Ford | $259 | 4 |
| 6 | Courtesy Subaru | $249 | 4 |
| 7 | Billion Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Fiat Sioux Falls | $249 | 3 |
| 8 | Billion Chevrolet of Sioux Falls | $249 | 3 |
| 9 | Northtown Automotive Chevrolet | $199 | 3 |
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 Chevrolet of Sioux Falls | D 67/100 | $249 | 3 |
| Billion Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Fiat Sioux Falls | C 79/100 | $249 | 3 |
| Sioux Falls Ford | A 94/100 | $275 | 6 |
| Courtesy Subaru | A 95/100 | $249 | 4 |
| Granite Buick GMC | A 95/100 | $299 | 4 |
| Schulte Subaru | A 98/100 | $349 | 10 |
| Mckie Ford | A 99/100 | $299 | 4 |
| Northtown Automotive Chevrolet | A 100/100 | $199 | 3 |
| Vern Eide Ford | A 100/100 | $259 | 4 |
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: 81/100
Chevrolet
6 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Chrysler
5 dealers · Avg score: 55/100
Dodge
4 dealers · Avg score: 44/100
Jeep
4 dealers · Avg score: 44/100
Ram
4 dealers · Avg score: 44/100
GMC
3 dealers · Avg score: 91/100
Mazda
3 dealers · Avg score: 91/100
Subaru
2 dealers · Avg score: 97/100
Hyundai
2 dealers · Avg score: 48/100
Buick
2 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Lincoln
2 dealers · Avg score: 47/100
Kia
2 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
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.
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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 November 2026, the average documentation fee in South Dakota is $268, based on 87 verified out-the-door quotes from 41 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $136 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 $50 to $599.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in South Dakota?
Northtown Automotive Chevrolet in Yankton 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 53 rated South Dakota dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.