California Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in California? We analyzed 7,862 verified OTD quotes from 1848 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of July 2026, the average doc fee at 1258 rated California dealers is $112, $288 below the national average, based on 7,862 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Jul 27, 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.
Key Findings
- California has the 50th-highest average doc fee of the 50 states we track, at $112.
- 926 of 1848 rated California dealers earned an A for transparency; 417 earned a D or F.
- Winn Volkswagen Woodland Hills in Los Angeles is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in California range from $7 to $1,298 — Autoboutique charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in California is theft protection, appearing on 39% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,127.
California Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in California
The most transparent dealers in California, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Winn Volkswagen Woodland Hills
Los Angeles, CA
$27 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesMercedes-Benz Of Long Beach
Signal Hill, CA
$27 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 8 verified quotes
See the quotesWest Coast Auto Sales
Montclair, CA
$27 below the California average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesCuesta GMC
San Luis Obispo, CASan Luis Obispo, CA
Dublin Honda
Dublin, CADublin, CA
Mckenna BMW
Norwalk, CANorwalk, CA
Mckenna Volkswagen Cerritos
Cerritos, CACerritos, CA
Meritage Auto Sales
Auburn, CAAuburn, CA
Mercedes-Benz Of Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks, CAThousand Oaks, CA
Mercedes-Benz Of San Francisco
South San Francisco, CASouth San Francisco, 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 $112.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autoboutique | $1,298 | 12 |
| 2 | Cardinale Auto Group | $999 | 4 |
| 3 | Genesis Of Richmond | $749 | 6 |
| 4 | Oremor Automotive Group | $725 | 10 |
| 5 | Palm Springs Subaru | $600 | 9 |
| 6 | Prestige Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | $599 | 12 |
| 7 | Land Rover | $550 | 7 |
| 8 | Acura Of Fremont | $536 | 5 |
| 9 | Palm Springs Kia | $499 | 3 |
| 10 | Jessup Auto Plaza | $484 | 19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoboutique | F 37.8/100 | $1,298 | 12 |
| Karwow | F 46.2/100 | $70 | 3 |
| California Motor Trade | F 47.3/100 | $85 | 3 |
| Dalton Hyundai National City | F 50.6/100 | $0 | 8 |
| Culver City Toyota | F 51.9/100 | $85 | 17 |
| Lexus Of El Cajon | F 53/100 | $85 | 4 |
| Cardinale Auto Group | F 54.4/100 | $999 | 4 |
| Autohon | F 56.5/100 | $0 | 3 |
| Huntington Beach Hyundai | F 56.5/100 | $85 | 24 |
| Clovis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | F 58/100 | $257 | 3 |
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?
Toyota
136 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Ford
122 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Honda
105 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
Ram
96 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Jeep
88 dealers · Avg score: 69/100
Dodge
85 dealers · Avg score: 69/100
Chrysler
79 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Chevrolet
79 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Hyundai
73 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
Kia
67 dealers · Avg score: 73/100
GMC
60 dealers · Avg score: 68/100
Nissan
59 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Subaru
53 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
BMW
53 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Mazda
51 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
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.
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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 July 2026, the average documentation fee in California is $112, based on 7,862 verified out-the-door quotes from 1258 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $288 below the $400 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 $7 to $1,298.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in California?
Winn Volkswagen Woodland Hills in Los Angeles is the highest-rated dealer in California with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 3 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. 926 of 1848 rated California dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.