Best Car Dealers in California
As of July 2026, CarEdge grades 1835 of 4809 California car dealers from 7,844 verified out-the-door quotes. California's average doc fee is $112.
923 of 1835 rated California dealers earn an A · 406 earn a D or F
Data updated Jul 26, 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 1835 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 4809 dealers →Porsche Ontario
Ontario, CA
$27 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 9 verified quotes
See the quotesSimpson Buick GMC
Buena Park, CA
$27 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesSimpson Chevrolet Of Irvine
Irvine, CA
$27 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 9 verified quotes
See the quotesStevens Creek Kia
San Jose, CASan Jose, CA
Mossy Nissan National City
National City, CANational City, CA
Winn Volkswagen Woodland Hills
Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA
Jim Bone Kia
Santa Rosa, CASanta Rosa, CA
Elk Grove Toyota
Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA
Elk Grove Subaru
Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA
El Cerrito Honda
El Cerrito, CAEl Cerrito, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in California
Tesla Encinitas
Encinitas, CA
Tesla Fremont
Fremont, CA
Tesla Gilroy
Gilroy, CA
Tesla Irvine
Irvine, CA
Tesla Norwalk Pre-owned Sales Center
Norwalk, CA
Tesla Riverside
Riverside, CA
Tesla San Diego - Miramar
San Diego, CA
Tesla Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita, CA
Tesla Thousand Oaks - 2000 Corporate Center Dr
Thousand Oaks, CA
Tesla Upland
Upland, CA
The Auto Barn
Sacramento, CA
The Auto Connection
Pomona, CA
The Auto Paddock
San Bruno, CA
The Auto Store
Salinas, CA
The Auto Vault
San Juan Capistrano, CA
The Autohaus
Oakley, CA
The Automodeals
Concord, CA
The Bay Auto
Fremont, CA
The Car Boutique, Llc
Colton, CA
The Car Connect Auto Group
Baldwin Park, 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 1258 rated California dealers is $112, based on 7,844 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?
Porsche Ontario, Simpson Buick GMC, Simpson Chevrolet Of Irvine lead the California transparency rankings. 923 of 1835 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.