Kentucky Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Kentucky? We analyzed 635 verified OTD quotes from 264 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of October 2026, the average doc fee at 197 rated Kentucky dealers is $613, $209 above the national average, based on 635 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Oct 5, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Bluegrass State
Kentucky's dealer grade: B
80/100 average transparency score
14th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Kentucky has the 14th-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $613.
- 153 of 264 rated Kentucky dealers earned an A for transparency; 68 earned a D or F.
- Don Franklin Columbia Ford in Columbia is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Kentucky range from $50 to $1,270 — Morehead Auto Group charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Kentucky is accessories, appearing on 54% of itemized quotes at an average of $622.
Kentucky Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Kentucky
The most transparent dealers in Kentucky, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Don Franklin Columbia Ford
Columbia, KY
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesBachman Subaru
Louisville, KY
$114 below the Kentucky average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesKia Store East
Louisville, KY
$214 below the Kentucky average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesWildcat Chevrolet
Cadiz, KYCadiz, KY
Tom Gill Chevrolet
Florence, KYFlorence, KY
O'Brien Ford
Shelbyville, KYShelbyville, KY
Jeff Wyler Nissan of Louisville
Saint Matthews, KYSaint Matthews, KY
Jeff Wyler Honda In Florence
Florence, KYFlorence, KY
Jeff Wyler Honda Auto Mall
Louisville, KYLouisville, KY
Bachman Chevrolet
Jeffersontown, KYJeffersontown, KY
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in Kentucky or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in Kentucky
These Kentucky dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $613.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morehead Auto Group | $899 | 4 |
| 2 | Perkins Motor Plex | $899 | 4 |
| 3 | Tim Short Chevrolet | $899 | 4 |
| 4 | Toyota of Madisonville | $899 | 4 |
| 5 | Volvo Cars of Louisville | $899 | 3 |
| 6 | Champion Chevrolet GMC | $895 | 5 |
| 7 | Tim Short Ford | $847 | 5 |
| 8 | Don Franklin Bardstown Chevrolet | $806 | 3 |
| 9 | Freedom Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Lexington | $799 | 12 |
| 10 | Lexus of Lexington | $799 | 10 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in Kentucky
These Kentucky dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtesy Buick GMC | F 54/100 | — | 3 |
| Paducah Ford Lincoln | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Audi Louisville | D 60/100 | — | 4 |
| Kerry Chevrolet | C 77/100 | $399 | 3 |
| Volvo Cars of Louisville | C 77/100 | $899 | 3 |
| Hardin County Honda | C 79/100 | $499 | 4 |
| Bill Collins Ford Lincoln of Louisville | C 79/100 | $399 | 6 |
| Kerry Mazda of Florence | C 79/100 | $399 | 4 |
| Lexus of Louisville | C 79/100 | $598 | 8 |
| Toyota of Ashland | C 79/100 | $699 | 3 |
Most Common Add-ons in Kentucky
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in Kentucky, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in Kentucky
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in Kentucky?
Ford
29 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Chevrolet
26 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Jeep
20 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Toyota
20 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Chrysler
19 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Dodge
19 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Ram
19 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
GMC
19 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Nissan
13 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Hyundai
13 dealers · Avg score: 72/100
Honda
11 dealers · Avg score: 93/100
Buick
8 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Kia
7 dealers · Avg score: 68/100
Volkswagen
7 dealers · Avg score: 80/100
Mazda
6 dealers · Avg score: 74/100
Ready to buy a car in Kentucky? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in Kentucky — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
Try CarEdge ProFind the Best Dealer in Kentucky
Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in Kentucky by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How Kentucky compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
Kentucky Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in Kentucky?
As of October 2026, the average documentation fee in Kentucky is $613, based on 635 verified out-the-door quotes from 197 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $209 above the $404 national average.
Which Kentucky dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Morehead Auto Group charges the highest verified doc fee in Kentucky at $899. Doc fees across the state range from $50 to $1,270.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Kentucky?
Don Franklin Columbia Ford in Columbia is the highest-rated dealer in Kentucky with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 3 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in Kentucky?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a Kentucky dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 153 of 264 rated Kentucky dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.