Tennessee Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Tennessee? We analyzed 1,666 verified OTD quotes from 526 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of November 2026, the average doc fee at 408 rated Tennessee dealers is $688, $284 above the national average, based on 1,666 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Nov 5, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Volunteer State
Tennessee's dealer grade: B
80/100 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 $688.
- 301 of 526 rated Tennessee dealers earned an A for transparency; 130 earned a D or F.
- Smith Imports in Memphis is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Tennessee range from $50 to $1,200 — Long Hyundai charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Tennessee is accessories, appearing on 36% 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).
Smith Imports
Memphis, TN
$193 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesRocky Top Ford
Sevierville, TN
$89 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 8 verified quotes
See the quotesHelms Motor Co Inc
Lexington, TN
$599 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesJohnson City Ford
Johnson City, TNJohnson City, TN
Rice Buick GMC
Knoxville, TNKnoxville, TN
Rick Mcgill's Airport Toyota
Alcoa, TNAlcoa, TN
Roberts Toyota
Columbia, TNColumbia, TN
Gary Force Acura
Brentwood, TNBrentwood, TN
Harper Volkswagen of Knoxville
Knoxville, TNKnoxville, TN
Serra Chevrolet Clarksville
Clarksville, TNClarksville, 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 $688.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Hyundai | $1,200 | 7 |
| 2 | Sutherlin Subaru | $1,095 | 8 |
| 3 | Gary Yeomans Ford Knoxville | $1,000 | 6 |
| 4 | Bolivar Ford | $999 | 4 |
| 5 | Autonation Ford Wolfchase | $999 | 3 |
| 6 | Golden Circle Ford Lincoln | $999 | 10 |
| 7 | Golden Circle Ford Parsons | $999 | 3 |
| 8 | Carlock Auto Group | $999 | 4 |
| 9 | Volvo Cars Cool Springs | $999 | 7 |
| 10 | Integrity Chevrolet | $999 | 3 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin City Nissan Alcoa | F 40/100 | — | 5 |
| Cadillac of Knoxville | F 51/100 | — | 4 |
| Lenoir City Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM | D 60/100 | — | 7 |
| Prancing Horse of Nashville | D 60/100 | — | 5 |
| Rick Hill BMW | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Farris Motor Jefferson City | D 60/100 | — | 4 |
| Twin City Hyundai | D 60/100 | — | 8 |
| Newton Nissan of Gallatin | D 60/100 | — | 4 |
| Audi Knoxville | D 65/100 | $699 | 8 |
| Mtn. View Ford Lincoln | D 66/100 | $799 | 13 |
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
49 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Chevrolet
33 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Nissan
31 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Chrysler
26 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Dodge
26 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Jeep
26 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Ram
25 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Toyota
25 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Hyundai
20 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
GMC
15 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Honda
15 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Kia
13 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Buick
12 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Volkswagen
9 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Mazda
9 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
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 November 2026, the average documentation fee in Tennessee is $688, based on 1,666 verified out-the-door quotes from 408 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $284 above the $404 national average.
Which Tennessee dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Long Hyundai charges the highest verified doc fee in Tennessee at $1,200. Doc fees across the state range from $50 to $1,200.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Tennessee?
Smith Imports in Memphis 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. 301 of 526 rated Tennessee dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.