Tennessee Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Tennessee? We analyzed 1,157 verified OTD quotes from 344 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of July 2026, the average doc fee at 277 rated Tennessee dealers is $686, $286 above the national average, based on 1,157 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Jul 26, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Volunteer State
Tennessee's dealer grade: B
81/100 average transparency score
9th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Tennessee has the 9th-highest average doc fee of the 50 states we track, at $686.
- 216 of 344 rated Tennessee dealers earned an A for transparency; 53 earned a D or F.
- Peppers Toyota in Paris is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 5 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Tennessee range from $36 to $1,046 — Lexus Of Chattanooga charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Tennessee is accessories, appearing on 38% of itemized quotes at an average of $965.
Tennessee Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Tennessee
The most transparent dealers in Tennessee, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Peppers Toyota
Paris, TN
$287 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesParks Motor Sales
Columbia, TN
$311 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesStan Mcnabb Cadillac Of Columbia
Columbia, TN
$87 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesLakeway Auto
Morristown, TNMorristown, TN
Roberts Toyota
Columbia, TNColumbia, TN
Crystal Auto Sales Inc
Nashville, TNNashville, TN
Lexus Of Nashville
Nashville, TNNashville, TN
Maynord Auto Sales, Llc
Livingston, TNLivingston, TN
Andrews Cadillac Brentwood
Brentwood, TNBrentwood, TN
Wallace Imports Johnson City
Johnson City, TNJohnson City, TN
Look up any dealer’s transparency grade
Search any dealer in Tennessee or nationwide by name, brand, city, or zip.
Highest Doc Fees in Tennessee
These Tennessee dealers charge the most in documentation fees. The state average is $686.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus Of Chattanooga | $1,033 | 3 |
| 2 | Golden Circle Ford Lincoln Inc. | $999 | 3 |
| 3 | Carlock Auto Group | $999 | 7 |
| 4 | Golden Circle Ford | $999 | 8 |
| 5 | Volvo Cars Cool Springs | $999 | 3 |
| 6 | Mt. Juliet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | $998 | 21 |
| 7 | Hyundai Of Columbia | $997 | 14 |
| 8 | Cars 4 U Llc | $997 | 4 |
| 9 | Gallatin Ford | $995 | 5 |
| 10 | Sunrise Chevrolet Buick GMC At Collierville | $900 | 6 |
Lowest-Rated Dealers in Tennessee
These Tennessee dealers have the lowest transparency scores based on fees, add-ons, and markup.
| Dealer | Grade | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars 4 U Llc | F 55.1/100 | $997 | 4 |
| Ford Of Murfreesboro | D 69.8/100 | $899 | 14 |
| Lexus Of Chattanooga | C 71.3/100 | $1,033 | 3 |
| Twin City Nissan | C 73.2/100 | $0 | 5 |
| Carsmart.Net | C 73.8/100 | $600 | 3 |
| Chuck Hutton Chevrolet | C 74/100 | $449 | 6 |
| Kia Of Chattanooga | C 74.1/100 | $799 | 5 |
| Toyota Knoxville | C 74.2/100 | $898 | 7 |
| Subaru Of Gallatin | C 75.3/100 | $0 | 3 |
| Genesis Of Cool Springs | C 75.3/100 | $899 | 3 |
Most Common Add-ons in Tennessee
The most frequently seen dealer add-ons in Tennessee, based on itemized OTD quotes.
Dealers by Brand in Tennessee
Which brands have the most transparent dealers in Tennessee?
Ford
29 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Toyota
23 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Nissan
20 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Chevrolet
19 dealers · Avg score: 77/100
Hyundai
19 dealers · Avg score: 76/100
Chrysler
16 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Dodge
16 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Jeep
16 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Ram
16 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
GMC
15 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Honda
15 dealers · Avg score: 60/100
Kia
13 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Buick
9 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Cadillac
8 dealers · Avg score: 82/100
Mazda
8 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Ready to buy a car in Tennessee? Bring the real numbers.
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target prices, and out-the-door estimates on every listing in Tennessee — so you walk into a dealership already knowing what you should pay.
Try CarEdge ProFind the Best Dealer in Tennessee
Use our dealer search to find and compare dealers in Tennessee by location. See transparency scores, doc fees, and real pricing data before you visit.
How Tennessee compares to its neighbors
Average doc fees next door. Crossing a state line can change what the dealer charges.
Tennessee Dealer Fee FAQ
What is the average dealer doc fee in Tennessee?
As of July 2026, the average documentation fee in Tennessee is $686, based on 1,157 verified out-the-door quotes from 277 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $286 above the $400 national average.
Which Tennessee dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Lexus Of Chattanooga charges the highest verified doc fee in Tennessee at $1,033. Doc fees across the state range from $36 to $1,046.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Tennessee?
Peppers Toyota in Paris is the highest-rated dealer in Tennessee with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 5 verified quotes.
Are dealer doc fees negotiable in Tennessee?
Doc fees themselves are often presented as non-negotiable, but the out-the-door price always is: if a Tennessee dealer charges a high doc fee, ask for an equivalent discount on the vehicle price. 216 of 344 rated Tennessee dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.