Tennessee Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Tennessee? We analyzed 1,509 verified OTD quotes from 525 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of October 2026, the average doc fee at 402 rated Tennessee dealers is $693, $289 above the national average, based on 1,509 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Oct 16, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Volunteer State
Tennessee's dealer grade: C
79/100 average transparency score
11th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Tennessee has the 11th-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $693.
- 292 of 525 rated Tennessee dealers earned an A for transparency; 137 earned a D or F.
- Wallace Imports Johnson City in Johnson City is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 5 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Tennessee range from $50 to $2,091 — Sutherlin Subaru charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Tennessee is accessories, appearing on 35% of itemized quotes at an average of $880.
Tennessee Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Tennessee
The most transparent dealers in Tennessee, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Wallace Imports Johnson City
Johnson City, TN
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesWallace Ford of Kingsport
Kingsport, TN
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesGary Force Acura
Brentwood, TN
$94 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 7 verified quotes
See the quotesHelms Motor Co Inc
Lexington, TNLexington, TN
Two Rivers Ford
Mt. Juliet, TNMt. Juliet, TN
Land Rover Nashville
Brentwood, TNBrentwood, TN
Landmark Morrow
Chattanooga, TNChattanooga, TN
Lakeway Auto Sales
Morristown, TNMorristown, TN
Johnson City Ford
Johnson City, TNJohnson City, TN
Stan Mcnabb Cadillac of Columbia
Columbia, TNColumbia, TN
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in Tennessee or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in Tennessee
These Tennessee dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $693.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sutherlin Subaru | $1,095 | 7 |
| 2 | Twin City Hyundai | $1,061 | 8 |
| 3 | Autonation Ford Wolfchase | $999 | 3 |
| 4 | Golden Circle Ford | $999 | 7 |
| 5 | Carlock Auto Group | $999 | 4 |
| 6 | Volvo Cars Cool Springs | $999 | 6 |
| 7 | Integrity Chevrolet | $999 | 3 |
| 8 | Volkswagen of Cool Springs | $999 | 9 |
| 9 | Mt. Juliet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | $998 | 15 |
| 10 | Hyundai of Columbia | $997 | 12 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in Tennessee
These Tennessee dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Knoxville | F 54/100 | $699 | 8 |
| Cars 4 U LLC | F 57/100 | $997 | 3 |
| Newton Nissan of Gallatin | D 60/100 | — | 4 |
| Prancing Horse of Nashville | D 60/100 | — | 5 |
| Corner Auto Sales | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Farris Motor Jefferson City | D 60/100 | — | 4 |
| Ford of Murfreesboro | D 67/100 | $899 | 7 |
| Chuck Hutton Chevrolet | C 71/100 | $898 | 9 |
| Greenway Kia Hickory Hollow | C 71/100 | $800 | 3 |
| Ted Russell Ford Lincoln | C 74/100 | $795 | 6 |
Most Common Add-ons in Tennessee
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in Tennessee, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in Tennessee
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in Tennessee?
Ford
45 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Chevrolet
31 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Nissan
26 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Toyota
24 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Chrysler
23 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Dodge
23 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Jeep
23 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Ram
22 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Hyundai
21 dealers · Avg score: 75/100
GMC
17 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Honda
14 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Kia
13 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Volkswagen
12 dealers · Avg score: 69/100
Buick
10 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Mazda
9 dealers · Avg score: 62/100
Ready to buy a car in Tennessee? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in Tennessee — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
Try CarEdge ProFind the Best Dealer in Tennessee
Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in Tennessee by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How Tennessee compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
Tennessee Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in Tennessee?
As of October 2026, the average documentation fee in Tennessee is $693, based on 1,509 verified out-the-door quotes from 402 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $289 above the $404 national average.
Which Tennessee dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Sutherlin Subaru charges the highest verified doc fee in Tennessee at $1,095. Doc fees across the state range from $50 to $2,091.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Tennessee?
Wallace Imports Johnson City in Johnson City is the highest-rated dealer in Tennessee with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 5 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in Tennessee?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a Tennessee dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 292 of 525 rated Tennessee dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.