Best Car Dealers in Iowa
As of October 2026, CarEdge grades 247 of 789 Iowa car dealers from 489 verified out-the-door quotes. Iowa's average doc fee is $193.
138 of 247 rated Iowa dealers earn an A · 70 earn a D or F
Data updated Oct 11, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Hawkeye State
Iowa's dealer grade: C
79/100 average transparency score
50th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Based on 247 dealers with verified quotes.
Transparency Leaderboard
View all 789 dealers →Vaughn Automotive
Ottumwa, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 8 verified quotes
See the quotesJerry's Ford of Sheldon
Sheldon, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesLindquist Ford
Bettendorf, IA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesStivers Ford Lincoln
Waukee, IAWaukee, IA
Fort Dodge Ford Toyota
Fort Dodge, IAFort Dodge, IA
C&S Car Company
Waterloo, IAWaterloo, IA
Edwards Kia
Council Bluffs, IACouncil Bluffs, IA
Jim Baier Inc.
Fort Madison, IAFort Madison, IA
Keast Auto Center
Harlan, IAHarlan, IA
Kia of Des Moines
Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA
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More Dealers in Iowa
Bettendorf Auto Sales
Bettendorf, IA
Bigfoot Auto
Hiawatha, IA
Billion Buick GMC of Iowa City
Iowa City, IA
Billion Chevrolet Clinton
Clinton, IA
Billion Chevrolet of Iowa City
Iowa City, IA
Billion GMC Clinton
Clinton, IA
Billion GMC of Sioux City
Sioux City, IA
Billion Kia of Sioux City
Sioux City, IA
Birdnow Motor Trade
Oelwein, IA
Birdnow Motor Trade of Oelwein
Oelwein, IA
Blackhawk Kia
Bettendorf, IA
BMW of North Liberty
North Liberty, IA
Bo's Autos
Bloomfield, IA
Bob Brown Auto
Urbandale, IA
Bob Brown Chevrolet, Inc.
Urbandale, IA
Bob Brown Pre-owned Merle Hay
Des Moines, IA
Bob Stephen Motors
Manchester, IA
Bodhi Motors LLC
Tama, IA
Bolt Motors Inc
Davenport, IA
Bones Body Shop LLC
West Burlington, IA
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 October 2026, the average documentation fee at 178 rated Iowa dealers is $193, based on 489 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, Jerry's Ford of Sheldon, Lindquist Ford lead the Iowa transparency rankings. 138 of 247 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 $193. If a dealer charges significantly more, ask them to reduce it or consider other options.
- Good news on add-ons: 81% 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.