A window sticker, also called a Monroney label, is the price and equipment label a manufacturer must put on every new car before it reaches the dealer. For a used-car buyer it is the clearest record of how the vehicle left the factory. You can look up the window sticker by VIN when the original paper label is gone.
Why every new car has one
The Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958 requires the label. The law names the U.S. Senator who sponsored it, Mike Monroney, which is where the label gets its name. The manufacturer must attach it to each new automobile before delivery to a dealer (15 U.S.C. § 1232).
Removing or altering the label before the car reaches its first buyer is an offense. The fine is up to $1,000 per vehicle, and a person who removes or alters it can also face up to a year in prison (15 U.S.C. § 1233).
What the law says the label must show
| Section | What it shows | Why it matters on a used car |
|---|---|---|
| Identification | Make, model and VIN | Confirms the sticker belongs to the car in front of you |
| Assembly and delivery | Final assembly point, receiving dealer, delivery city, transport method | Shows where the car was built and first sold |
| Base price | Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) | The starting price before options |
| Options | Each factory option or package with its price | Proves which equipment is original |
| Destination charge | Transportation charged to the dealer | Part of the original total |
| Total | Sum of the above | What the car listed for new, not what anyone paid |
| Safety ratings | NHTSA star ratings, or a statement that the car was not rated | Original crash-test results for that model |
Most labels also carry the EPA fuel economy and environment label and, for many cars, parts-content information required by other rules. Their layout differs by year and maker.
Reading it section by section
Base price and options
Start with the base MSRP, then read down the option lines. Packages often bundle several features under one name, so check the package contents against what the car actually has. A missing option that the sticker lists can mean a part was removed or replaced.
Fuel economy
The fuel economy block shows the official city, highway and combined estimates for that exact configuration. Engine and drivetrain choices change these figures, so they also help confirm the original powertrain.
Safety ratings
Star ratings come from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. If a model was not tested in a category, the label must say so (15 U.S.C. § 1232).
What a window sticker does not tell you
A sticker describes the car on the day it was built. It says nothing about accidents, title brands, mileage or owners since then. For that you need the vehicle's history: run a VIN check as well.
The MSRP is also not a sale price. Dealers and buyers negotiate, and incentives change the real figure.
How to get a lost window sticker
Many used cars no longer have their paper label. You can:
- Ask the seller. Some owners keep the original in the glovebox or with the purchase papers.
- Ask a franchised dealer for the brand. Some can print a copy from the maker's system.
- Look up the window sticker by VIN. We show what the sticker data says for that VIN and tell you before you pay whether a sticker is available.
Frequently asked questions
Is a window sticker the same as a build sheet?
No. The window sticker is the consumer price label. A build sheet is an internal factory document listing the parts and codes used to build the car. See build sheet by VIN.
Can a used car dealer remove the sticker?
The ban on removal applies before delivery to the first buyer. Once a car has been sold new, the label is often gone.
