Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1925 of 4785 California car dealers from 8,188 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $108.
1004 of 1925 rated California dealers earn an A · 440 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 1925 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4785 dealers →The Ford Store Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 9 verified quotes
See the quotesAudi Escondido
Escondido, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesAudi Livermore
Livermore, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesAudi Napa Valley
Fairfield, CAFairfield, CA
Audi San Francisco
San Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Mercedes-Benz Of Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, CABeverly Hills, CA
Auto Connections
Orange, CAOrange, CA
Autonation Chevrolet Valencia
Santa Clarita, CASanta Clarita, CA
Mercedes-Benz Of Long Beach
Signal Hill, CASignal Hill, CA
Autonation Ford Torrance
Torrance, CATorrance, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in California
Autonation Hyundai Carlsbad
Carlsbad, CA · 3 verified quotes
Mercedes-Benz Of Ontario
Ontario, CA · 6 verified quotes
Autonation Subaru Carlsbad
Carlsbad, CA · 10 verified quotes
Mercedes-Benz Of San Francisco
South San Francisco, CA · 3 verified quotes
Bakersfield Mazda
Bakersfield, CA · 5 verified quotes
Mercedes-Benz Of Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks, CA · 3 verified quotes
Meritage Auto Sales
Auburn, CA · 5 verified quotes
BMW Fresno
Fresno, CA · 3 verified quotes
BMW Of Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA · 3 verified quotes
BMW Of Visalia
Visalia, CA · 4 verified quotes
Tuttle Click Mazda
Irvine, CA · 6 verified quotes
Cadillac Marin
San Rafael, CA · 3 verified quotes
Mossy Nissan National City
National City, CA · 3 verified quotes
Mossy Volkswagen Escondido
Escondido, CA · 4 verified quotes
Tuttle-Click Ford
Irvine, CA · 3 verified quotes
Cardinaleway Mazda Corona
Corona, CA · 3 verified quotes
New Century BMW
Alhambra, CA · 5 verified quotes
Carfornia.Com
Livermore, CA · 3 verified quotes
Tuttle Click
Irvine, CA · 7 verified quotes
Newport Fisker
Costa Mesa, CA · 3 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 1292 rated California dealers is $108, based on 8,188 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?
The Ford Store Morgan Hill, Audi Escondido, Audi Livermore lead the California transparency rankings. 1004 of 1925 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.