Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1595 of 4781 California car dealers from 6,850 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $116.
775 of 1595 rated California dealers earn an A · 363 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 22, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: C
74/100 average transparency score
50th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Based on 1595 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4781 dealers →Sunnyvale Volkswagen
Sunnyvale, CA
$31 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesSerramonte Kia
Colma, CA
$31 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesCentury West BMW
Los Angeles, CA
$31 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesWest Coast Auto Sales
Montclair, CAMontclair, CA
Dublin Honda
Dublin, CADublin, CA
Chavez Jessup GMC
Indio, CAIndio, CA
Bakersfield Mazda
Bakersfield, CABakersfield, CA
Chico Mazda
Chico, CAChico, CA
South County Lexus
Mission Viejo, CAMission Viejo, CA
Mercedes-Benz Of San Francisco
South San Francisco, CASouth San Francisco, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in California
Js Auto Connection Corp
Modesto, CA
Jsf Autos
Concord, CA
Justbettercars.com
Roseville, CA
Jz Automotive Sales Llc
Riverside, CA
K & L Auto Expert
Richmond, CA
K 2 Motorsport
Martinez, CA
K Auto Center West
San Jose, CA
K& F Auto
Campbell, CA
K&s Alfa Romeo Of San Diego
San Diego, CA
K&t Motor Llc
Santa Ana, CA
K1 Motors
Los Angeles, CA
Kal's Auto Sales
Los Angeles, CA
Kar And Company Inc
Los Angeles, CA
Kar Company
Fontana, CA
Kar Market Usa Inc
Midway City, CA
Karbreeze Inc
Sunnyvale, CA
Kareem Auto Sales Inc
Sacramento, CA
Kargenie
Montclair, CA
Karplus Warehouse
Los Angeles, CA
Karplus Warehouse Inc
Los Angeles, 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 1111 rated California dealers is $116, based on 6,850 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?
Sunnyvale Volkswagen, Serramonte Kia, Century West BMW lead the California transparency rankings. 775 of 1595 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 $116. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 59% 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.