Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1831 of 4808 California car dealers from 7,813 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $112.
921 of 1831 rated California dealers earn an A · 404 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 25, 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 1831 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4808 dealers →Autonation Subaru Carlsbad
Carlsbad, CA
$27 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 10 verified quotes
See the quotesNorth Bay Ford
Santa Cruz, CA
$27 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesGalaxy Auto Deals Inc
Sacramento, CA
$42 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesFullerton Ford
Fullerton, CAFullerton, CA
South Bay Ford
Hawthorne, CAHawthorne, CA
Bakersfield Mazda
Bakersfield, CABakersfield, CA
The Ford Store Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill, CAMorgan Hill, CA
Dublin Honda
Dublin, CADublin, CA
South County Lexus
Mission Viejo, CAMission Viejo, CA
Sutherlin Subaru Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, CAHuntington Beach, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search 13,000+ dealers by name, brand, city, or zip.
More Dealers in California
San Clemente Auto Gallery
Orange, CA
San Diego Auto Club
Spring Valley, CA
San Diego Auto Finder
San Diego, CA
San Diego Auto House
San Diego, CA
San Diego Auto Sales Inc
San Diego, CA
San Diego Auto Solutions
Oceanside, CA
San Diego Beemers
San Diego, CA
San Diego Car Sales
Escondido, CA
San Diego Classic Car Center
Spring Valley, CA
San Diego Luxury Motors
San Diego, CA
San Diego Motor Cars Llc
Spring Valley, CA
San Francisco Bay Autos
San Rafael, CA
San Francisco Exotic Cars
San Rafael, CA
San Francisco Toyota Sales At Geary
San Francisco, CA
San Jose Mitsubishi
San Jose, CA
San Ysidro Auto Sales
San Diego, CA
Sanchez Auto Sales
Newark, CA
Sanger GMC
Sanger, CA
Sanmiguel Motors
South Gate, CA
Santa Barbara Auto Connection
Goleta, CA
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 1256 rated California dealers is $112, based on 7,813 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?
Autonation Subaru Carlsbad, North Bay Ford, Galaxy Auto Deals Inc lead the California transparency rankings. 921 of 1831 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 $112. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 62% 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.