California Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in California? We analyzed 10,012 verified OTD quotes from 2692 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of October 2026, the average doc fee at 1825 rated California dealers is $109, $295 below the national average, based on 10,012 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Oct 4, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Golden State
California's dealer grade: C
73/100 average transparency score
52nd highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- California has the 52nd-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $109.
- 1292 of 2692 rated California dealers earned an A for transparency; 962 earned a D or F.
- Mercedes-Benz of Ontario in Ontario is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 5 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in California range from $12 to $3,776 — Autoboutique charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in California is accessories, appearing on 35% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,396.
California Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in California
The most transparent dealers in California, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Mercedes-Benz of Ontario
Ontario, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesMercedes-Benz of Long Beach
Signal Hill, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 8 verified quotes
See the quotesMercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel, CA
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesDelta Honda
Pittsburg, CAPittsburg, CA
Mazda Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks, CAThousand Oaks, CA
Mazda of Valencia
Santa Clarita, CASanta Clarita, CA
Mazda of Escondido
Escondido, CAEscondido, CA
Mazda Elk Grove
Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA
Manly Automotive Group
Santa Rosa, CASanta Rosa, CA
Dublin Hyundai
Dublin, CADublin, CA
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in California or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in California
These California dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $109.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autoboutique | $1,298 | 8 |
| 2 | Sprinter Vans of Arcadia | $1,199 | 3 |
| 3 | Porsche Marin | $1,169 | 8 |
| 4 | Fremont Buick GMC | $1,141 | 6 |
| 5 | Infiniti of Thousand Oaks | $1,112 | 3 |
| 6 | Puente Hills Hyundai | $1,110 | 5 |
| 7 | Cardinale Auto Group | $999 | 3 |
| 8 | Volvo Cars Marin | $949 | 10 |
| 9 | Capitol Mazda | $834 | 12 |
| 10 | Audi Rancho Mirage | $779 | 3 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in California
These California dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Chevrolet of Carlsbad | F 0/100 | — | 5 |
| California Motors Direct: Fontana | F 15/100 | — | 4 |
| Tracy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | F 30/100 | — | 3 |
| Mazzei Chevrolet | F 33/100 | — | 3 |
| Knight Audi Elk Grove | F 33/100 | — | 5 |
| Cadillac of Beverly Hills | F 34/100 | — | 4 |
| Niello BMW Sacramento | F 35/100 | — | 3 |
| Jaguar Land Rover Marin | F 36/100 | — | 5 |
| Chevrolet of Culver City | F 36/100 | $643 | 14 |
| Clovis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | F 37/100 | $770 | 4 |
Most Common Add-ons in California
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in California, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in California
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in California?
Ford
138 dealers · Avg score: 81/100
Toyota
138 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Ram
124 dealers · Avg score: 75/100
Honda
118 dealers · Avg score: 79/100
Chevrolet
112 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Jeep
108 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Dodge
106 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Chrysler
104 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Hyundai
79 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Kia
75 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
GMC
69 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Nissan
68 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Subaru
60 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Mazda
56 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
BMW
55 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Ready to buy a car in California? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in California — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
Try CarEdge ProFind the Best Dealer in California
Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in California by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How California compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
California Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in California?
As of October 2026, the average documentation fee in California is $109, based on 10,012 verified out-the-door quotes from 1825 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $295 below the $404 national average.
Which California dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Autoboutique charges the highest verified doc fee in California at $1,298. Doc fees across the state range from $12 to $3,776.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in California?
Mercedes-Benz of Ontario in Ontario is the highest-rated dealer in California with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 5 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in California?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a California dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 1292 of 2692 rated California dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.