Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1922 of 4821 California car dealers from 8,181 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $108.
1000 of 1922 rated California dealers earn an A · 437 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 30, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: C
75/100 average transparency score
50th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Based on 1922 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4821 dealers →Volkswagen Thousand Oaks
Westlake Village, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesVolvo Cars San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesVolkswagen Of Fairfield
Fairfield, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesWalnut Creek Ford
Walnut Creek, CAWalnut Creek, CA
Volvo Cars Chico
Chico, CAChico, CA
Volvo Cars Carlsbad
Carlsbad, CACarlsbad, CA
Volvo Cars Cerritos
Cerritos, CACerritos, CA
El Cerrito Honda
El Cerrito, CAEl Cerrito, CA
Elk Grove Subaru
Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA
Elk Grove Toyota
Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in California
Ford Fairfield
Fairfield, CA · 44 verified quotes
Vista Ford Lincoln
Los Angeles, CA · 17 verified quotes
BMW Fresno
Fresno, CA · 3 verified quotes
Fairview Ford
San Bernardino, CA · 4 verified quotes
BMW Of Visalia
Visalia, CA · 4 verified quotes
BMW Of Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA · 3 verified quotes
Kia Of Alhambra
Alhambra, CA · 6 verified quotes
Keyes Hyundai Of Mission Hills
Los Angeles, CA · 3 verified quotes
One Toyota Of Oakland
Oakland, CA · 4 verified quotes
Sangera Subaru
Bakersfield, CA · 3 verified quotes
Toyota Of Hollywood
Los Angeles, CA · 8 verified quotes
Valley Kia
Fontana, CA · 3 verified quotes
Mazda Of Vacaville
Vacaville, CA · 10 verified quotes
Mazda Of Valencia
Santa Clarita, CA · 5 verified quotes
Rusnak BMW
Westlake Village, CA · 13 verified quotes
Kearny Mesa Kia
San Diego, CA · 9 verified quotes
Kearny Mesa Hyundai
San Diego, CA · 11 verified quotes
West Coast Auto Sales
Montclair, CA · 3 verified quotes
Weir Canyon Honda
Yorba Linda, CA · 9 verified quotes
Mazda Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks, CA · 4 verified quotes
Dealers by City in California
California doc fee law
California caps dealer documentation fees at $85, one of the lowest limits in the country. If a California quote shows a higher "doc" or "processing" line item, question it — dealers there make their margin elsewhere, typically on add-ons and financing.
California Dealer FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in California?
As of July 2026, the average documentation fee at 1291 rated California dealers is $108, based on 8,181 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge. State law caps California doc fees at approximately $85.
Who are the best car dealers in California?
Volkswagen Thousand Oaks, Volvo Cars San Francisco, Volkswagen Of Fairfield lead the California transparency rankings. 1000 of 1922 rated California dealers earned an A grade for fair fees, minimal add-ons, and honest pricing.
How are California dealers graded?
Each dealer is scored 0-100 from verified out-the-door price quotes: fee transparency (30%), add-on behavior (30%), price accuracy (30%), and data quality (10%). Grades update as new California quotes are verified.
How California compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
Tips for Buying a Car in California
- Know the doc fee: The average doc fee in California is $108. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 63% of dealers in California charge no mandatory add-ons.
- Get multiple quotes: Request OTD quotes from at least 3 dealers to compare total prices, not just sticker prices.
- Check transparency scores: Dealers with scores above 80 typically have fair doc fees and minimal add-ons.