Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1530 of 4793 California car dealers from 6,645 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $117.
741 of 1530 rated California dealers earn an A · 340 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 18, 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 1530 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4793 dealers →Cb Chevrolet
San Luis Obispo, CA
$32 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesCapistrano Volkswagen
San Juan Capistrano, CA
$32 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesCentury West BMW
Los Angeles, CA
$32 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesHeritage Ford
Modesto, CAModesto, CA
Carfornia.Com
Livermore, CALivermore, CA
Carfam
Bloomington, CABloomington, CA
Car Pros Honda El Monte
El Monte, CAEl Monte, CA
Harbor Chevrolet
Long Beach, CALong Beach, CA
Elk Grove Subaru
Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA
Elk Grove Toyota
Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search 13,000+ dealers by name, brand, city, or zip.
More Dealers in California
Franks Foreign Car
San Clemente, CA
Fred Auto Wholesale Inc
Fresno, CA
Fred's Auto Sales
Pasadena, CA
Freedom Auto Sales Llc
Madera, CA
Freeway Auto Sales Inc
Los Angeles, CA
Freeway Isuzu
Corona, CA
Freeway Motors Used Cars
Modesto, CA
Fremart Autogroup Llc
Bloomington, CA
Fremont & Purdon Auto Sales
Los Angeles, CA
Fremont Cadillac
Fremont, CA
Fremont Ford
Newark, CA
Fremont Mazda
Newark, CA
Fresno Acura
Fresno, CA
Fresno Autoplex
Fresno, CA
Fresno Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
Fresno, CA
Fresno Infiniti
Fresno, CA
Fresno Mitsubishi
Fresno, CA
Fresno Motors
Fresno, CA
Friends Auto Group
Los Angeles, CA
Fritts Ford
Riverside, CA
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 1078 rated California dealers is $117, based on 6,645 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?
Cb Chevrolet, Capistrano Volkswagen, Century West BMW lead the California transparency rankings. 741 of 1530 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 $117. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 58% 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.