Tennessee Dealer Fee Report
How transparent are car dealers in Tennessee? We analyzed 1,446 verified OTD quotes from 504 dealers to reveal what buyers actually pay in doc fees, add-ons, and markup.
As of October 2026, the average doc fee at 387 rated Tennessee dealers is $697, $293 above the national average, based on 1,446 verified out-the-door quotes collected by CarEdge.
Data updated Oct 5, 2026 · How we score dealers
The Volunteer State
Tennessee's dealer grade: C
78/100 average transparency score
11th highest doc fees in the U.S.
Key Findings
- Tennessee has the 11th-highest average doc fee of the 52 states we track, at $697.
- 280 of 504 rated Tennessee dealers earned an A for transparency; 130 earned a D or F.
- Helms Motor Co Inc in Lexington is the state's most transparent dealer at 100/100 from 4 verified quotes.
- Verified doc fees in Tennessee range from $50 to $2,091 — Sutherlin Subaru charges the most.
- The most common dealer add-on in Tennessee is accessories, appearing on 36% of itemized quotes at an average of $884.
Tennessee Dealer Grade Distribution
Top 10 Most Transparent Dealers in Tennessee
The most transparent dealers in Tennessee, from verified pricing data (3+ quotes each).
Helms Motor Co Inc
Lexington, TN
$608 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesGary Force Acura
Brentwood, TN
$98 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 4 verified quotes
See the quotesStan Mcnabb Cadillac of Columbia
Columbia, TN
$98 below the Tennessee average
No mandatory add-ons · 5 verified quotes
See the quotesParks Motor Sales
Columbia, TNColumbia, TN
Peppers Toyota
Paris, TNParis, TN
Norcross Volvo Mazda Memphis
Memphis, TNMemphis, TN
Wallace Imports Johnson City
Johnson City, TNJohnson City, TN
Wallace Ford of Kingsport
Kingsport, TNKingsport, TN
Lexus of Nashville
Nashville, TNNashville, TN
Two Rivers Ford
Mt. Juliet, TNMt. Juliet, 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 $697.
| # | Dealer | Doc Fee | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sutherlin Subaru | $1,095 | 5 |
| 2 | Twin City Hyundai | $1,061 | 8 |
| 3 | Autonation Ford Wolfchase | $999 | 3 |
| 4 | Golden Circle Ford | $999 | 7 |
| 5 | Carlock Auto Group | $999 | 4 |
| 6 | Volvo Cars Cool Springs | $999 | 6 |
| 7 | Volkswagen of Cool Springs | $999 | 9 |
| 8 | Integrity Chevrolet | $999 | 3 |
| 9 | Mt. Juliet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | $998 | 15 |
| 10 | Hallmark Hyundai | $997 | 10 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Knoxville | F 49/100 | $699 | 6 |
| Cars 4 U LLC | F 57/100 | $997 | 3 |
| Newton Nissan of Gallatin | D 60/100 | — | 4 |
| Prancing Horse of Nashville | D 60/100 | — | 5 |
| Farris Motor Jefferson City | D 60/100 | — | 4 |
| Corner Auto Sales | D 60/100 | — | 3 |
| Ford of Murfreesboro | D 67/100 | $899 | 7 |
| Sutherlin Subaru | C 70/100 | $1,095 | 5 |
| Greenway Kia Hickory Hollow | C 71/100 | $800 | 3 |
| Chuck Hutton Chevrolet | C 72/100 | $898 | 10 |
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
44 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Chevrolet
32 dealers · Avg score: 83/100
Nissan
26 dealers · Avg score: 84/100
Toyota
24 dealers · Avg score: 87/100
Chrysler
22 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Dodge
22 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Jeep
22 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Ram
22 dealers · Avg score: 86/100
Hyundai
21 dealers · Avg score: 75/100
GMC
17 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Honda
14 dealers · Avg score: 78/100
Kia
13 dealers · Avg score: 85/100
Buick
10 dealers · Avg score: 71/100
Volkswagen
10 dealers · Avg score: 67/100
Mazda
9 dealers · Avg score: 62/100
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 October 2026, the average documentation fee in Tennessee is $697, based on 1,446 verified out-the-door quotes from 387 dealers collected by CarEdge. That is $293 above the $404 national average.
Which Tennessee dealers charge the highest doc fees?
Sutherlin Subaru charges the highest verified doc fee in Tennessee at $1,095. Doc fees across the state range from $50 to $2,091.
Who is the most transparent car dealer in Tennessee?
Helms Motor Co Inc in Lexington is the highest-rated dealer in Tennessee with a transparency score of 100/100 (Grade A) from 4 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. 280 of 504 rated Tennessee dealers earned an A for transparent, low-fee pricing.