Best Car Dealers in Iowa
As of August 2026, CarEdge grades 193 of 766 Iowa car dealers from 496 verified out-the-door quotes. Iowa's average doc fee is $199.
133 of 193 rated Iowa dealers earn an A · 23 earn a D or F
Data updated Aug 23, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Hawkeye State
Iowa's dealer grade: B
83/100 average transparency score
49th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Based on 193 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 766 dealers →Vaughn Automotive
Ottumwa, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 11 verified quotes
See the quotesMcgrath Volkswagen Of Marion
Marion, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesDeery Brothers
West Burlington, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesLindquist Ford
Bettendorf, IABettendorf, IA
Mcgrath Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
Cedar Rapids, IACedar Rapids, IA
Stivers Ford Lincoln
Waukee, IAWaukee, IA
C & S Car Company
Waterloo, IAWaterloo, IA
Keast Auto Center
Harlan, IAHarlan, IA
Kia Of Des Moines
Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA
Motor Inn Of Carroll
Carroll, IACarroll, IA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
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More Dealers in Iowa
Brown's Family Of Dealerships
Guttenberg, IA
Brown's Guttenberg Chevrolet
Guttenberg, IA
Brown's Guttenberg Ford
Guttenberg, IA
Brown's West Branch
West Branch, IA
Buckwalter Motors Ltd
Wellman, IA
Budget Cars Of Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA
Buena Vista Auto Sales
Storm Lake, IA
C & S Car Company Ii
Waterloo, IA
C & S Subaru
Waterloo, IA
C And S Car Company Mazda
Waterloo, IA
Calidelfy Auto, Llc.
Des Moines, IA
Canyon Auto Sales Llc
Sioux City, IA
Capper Auto Group Washington
Washington, IA
Capper Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, Inc.
Washington, IA
Car Stop Llc
Carroll, IA
Carhop Of Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs, IA
Carhop Of Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
Carhop Of Sioux City
Sioux City, IA
Carlisle Motors Llc
Carlisle, IA
Carmax Des Moines
Urbandale, IA
Dealers by City in Iowa
Iowa doc fee law
Iowa caps documentation fees at $180. Iowa dealers rarely deviate from the cap.
Iowa Dealer FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in Iowa?
As of August 2026, the average documentation fee at 132 rated Iowa dealers is $199, based on 496 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge. State law caps Iowa doc fees at approximately $180.
Who are the best car dealers in Iowa?
Vaughn Automotive, Mcgrath Volkswagen Of Marion, Deery Brothers lead the Iowa transparency rankings. 133 of 193 rated Iowa dealers earned an A grade for fair fees, minimal add-ons, and honest pricing.
How are Iowa 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 Iowa quotes are verified.
How Iowa 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 Iowa
- Know the doc fee: The average doc fee in Iowa is $199. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 79% of dealers in Iowa 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.