Tennessee Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Tennessee? We analyzed 1,342 verified OTD quotes from 399 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of August 2026, the average doc fee at 310 rated Tennessee dealers is $680, $280 above the national average, based on 1,342 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Aug 15, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Volunteer State
Tennessee's dealer grade: B
81/100 average transparency score
9th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Tennessee has the 9th-highest average doc fee of the 51 states we track, at $680.
- 257 of 399 rated Tennessee dealers earned an A for transparency; 61 earned a D or F.
- Maynord Auto Sales, Llc in Livingston is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Tennessee range from $36 to $1,550 — Lexus Of Chattanooga charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Tennessee is accessories, appearing on 39% of itemized quotes at an average of $953.
Tennessee Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Tennessee
The most transparent dealers in Tennessee, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Maynord Auto Sales, Llc
Livingston, TN
$282 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesParks Motor Sales
Columbia, TN
$305 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesLakeway Auto
Bristol, TN
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesCrystal Auto Sales Inc
Nashville, TNNashville, TN
Stan Mcnabb Cadillac Of Columbia
Columbia, TNColumbia, TN
Peppers Toyota
Paris, TNParis, TN
Stinnett Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Newport, TNNewport, TN
Roberts Toyota
Columbia, TNColumbia, TN
Vehicles Nashville
Nashville, TNNashville, TN
Lexus Of Nashville
Nashville, TNNashville, 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 $680.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus Of Chattanooga | $1,550 | 3 |
| 2 | Carlock Auto Group | $999 | 7 |
| 3 | Golden Circle Ford Lincoln Inc. | $999 | 3 |
| 4 | Golden Circle Ford | $999 | 8 |
| 5 | Volvo Cars Cool Springs | $999 | 3 |
| 6 | Volkswagen Of Cool Springs | $999 | 17 |
| 7 | Mt. Juliet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | $998 | 19 |
| 8 | Hyundai Of Columbia | $997 | 18 |
| 9 | Hallmark Hyundai | $997 | 5 |
| 10 | Cars 4 U Llc | $997 | 4 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horne Kia | F 52/100 | $899 | 3 |
| Cars 4 U Llc | F 55/100 | $997 | 4 |
| MINI Of Knoxville | F 57/100 | $498 | 8 |
| Lexus Of Chattanooga | F 59/100 | $1,550 | 3 |
| Ford Of Murfreesboro | C 70/100 | $899 | 14 |
| Hallmark Hyundai | C 70/100 | $997 | 5 |
| Twin City Nissan | C 73/100 | $0 | 5 |
| Kia Of Chattanooga | C 74/100 | $799 | 5 |
| Carsmart.Net | C 74/100 | $600 | 3 |
| Subaru Of Gallatin | C 75/100 | $0 | 3 |
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
34 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Toyota
23 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Nissan
20 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Hyundai
20 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Chevrolet
19 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Chrysler
19 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Dodge
19 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Jeep
19 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Ram
19 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Honda
16 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
GMC
14 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Kia
14 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Buick
9 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Volkswagen
9 dealers · Avg score: 55/100
Mazda
9 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
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 August 2026, the average documentation fee in Tennessee is $680, based on 1,342 verified out-the-door quotes from 310 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $280 above the $400 national average.
Which Tennessee dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Lexus Of Chattanooga charges the highest verified doc fee in Tennessee at $1,550. Doc fees across the state range from $36 to $1,550.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Tennessee?
Maynord Auto Sales, Llc in Livingston is the highest-rated dealer in Tennessee with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 3 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. 257 of 399 rated Tennessee dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.