South Carolina Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in South Carolina? We analyzed 1,051 verified OTD quotes from 232 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of July 2026, the average doc fee at 192 rated South Carolina dealers is $516, $116 above the national average, based on 1,051 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Jul 26, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Palmetto State
South Carolina's dealer grade: B
83/100 average transparency score
22nd highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- South Carolina has the 22nd-highest average doc fee of the 50 states we track, at $516.
- 134 of 232 rated South Carolina dealers earned an A for transparency; 32 earned a D or F.
- Hendrick Ineos Grenadier in Charleston is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 3 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in South Carolina range from $20 to $1,070 — Classic Ford Shelby charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in South Carolina is protection plan, appearing on 43% of itemized quotes at an average of $1,408.
South Carolina Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in South Carolina
The most transparent dealers in South Carolina, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Hendrick Ineos Grenadier
Charleston, SC
$291 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 3 verified quotes
See the quotesCentury BMW MINI
Greenville, SC
$117 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 6 verified quotes
See the quotesLake Murray Mitsubishi
Irmo, SC
$291 below the South Carolina average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesConway Ford
Conway, SCConway, SC
Quality Kia Of Greenwood
Greenwood, SCGreenwood, SC
Walterboro Ford
Walterboro, SCWalterboro, SC
Mount Pleasant Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Mount Pleasant, SCMount Pleasant, SC
Toyota Of Easley
Easley, SCEasley, SC
Gaffney Buick GMC
Gaffney, SCGaffney, SC
Master Chevrolet
Aiken, SCAiken, SC
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in South Carolina or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in South Carolina
These South Carolina dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $516.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Classic Ford Shelby | $999 | 10 |
| 2 | Alm Hyundai Florence | $955 | 4 |
| 3 | O. C. Welch Ford Lincoln Inc. | $930 | 3 |
| 4 | Summerville Ford | $799 | 11 |
| 5 | Mcdaniels Acura Of Charleston | $799 | 3 |
| 6 | Baker Cadillac Of Charleston | $799 | 8 |
| 7 | Hendrick Toyota Apex | $799 | 7 |
| 8 | Parks Buick Gmc, Llc | $799 | 3 |
| 9 | Automaxx Of The Carolinas | $790 | 8 |
| 10 | Midlands Honda | $774 | 4 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in South Carolina
These South Carolina dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks Buick Gmc, Llc | D 61.2/100 | $799 | 3 |
| Automaxx Of The Carolinas | D 63/100 | $790 | 8 |
| Hyundai Of North Charleston | D 69.9/100 | $719 | 5 |
| Classic Ford Lincoln Of Columbia | C 70.5/100 | $699 | 3 |
| Miracle Nissan Of North Augusta | C 71/100 | $304 | 4 |
| Hyundai Of Charleston | C 72.8/100 | $719 | 4 |
| Florence Toyota | C 72.8/100 | $621 | 5 |
| Stateline Alfa Romeo | C 73.5/100 | $699 | 6 |
| BMW Of Columbia | C 73.6/100 | $60 | 5 |
| Moore Automotive Group | C 73.7/100 | $699 | 8 |
Most Common Add-ons in South Carolina
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in South Carolina, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in South Carolina
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in South Carolina?
Ford
28 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Toyota
20 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Chevrolet
19 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Chrysler
15 dealers · Avg score: 90/100
Dodge
15 dealers · Avg score: 90/100
Jeep
13 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Honda
13 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Nissan
12 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Hyundai
12 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Ram
11 dealers · Avg score: 90/100
Kia
10 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
GMC
9 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Lincoln
7 dealers · Avg score: 88/100
Buick
6 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Cadillac
5 dealers · Avg score: 93/100
Ready to buy a car in South Carolina? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in South Carolina — 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 South Carolina by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How South Carolina compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
South Carolina Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in South Carolina?
As of July 2026, the average documentation fee in South Carolina is $516, based on 1,051 verified out-the-door quotes from 192 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $116 above the $400 national average.
Which South Carolina dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Classic Ford Shelby charges the highest verified doc fee in South Carolina at $999. Doc fees across the state range from $20 to $1,070.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in South Carolina?
Hendrick Ineos Grenadier in Charleston is the highest-rated dealer in South Carolina with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 3 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in South Carolina?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a South Carolina dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 134 of 232 rated South Carolina dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.