What Is Window Sticker And Why Is It Important?

Richard Langridge

By Richard Langringe

What Is a Window Sticker?

Suppose you purchased a pre-owned vehicle and needed to know the original equipment it came with and the cost, getting a window sticker, also known as the Monroney Sticker, will accurately tell you what the car was like when it was manufactured.

Each new vehicle in the United States comes with a Window Sticker, which contains much information about the vehicle. These include the vehicle type, year of manufacture, color, MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price), standard and optional equipment installed, technical specifications, and Fuel Economy ratings.

The government has ordered the display of Window stickers on all new vehicles, trucks, and SUVs. This story is different for used vehicles.

Why You Should Consider A Window Sticker Lookup?

Purchasing a used vehicle can be incredibly difficult and you would have to move a mountain to know if the pre-owned vehicle you’re considering has all the options and features you are looking for.  If you ask a dealer for a copy of the original window sticker, don’t be surprised if they give you an astonishing look. It’s rare to get the original window stickers for a pre-owned vehicle.

If you are a potential buyer, getting a window sticker will let you know all the features available for the car you are searching for. Also for a seller, it would be a simple way to find detailed information about the vehicle that you want to advertise or forward to potential buyers. some of the major reasons to get window sticker include

  • Accurate information on factory-fitted options
  • Undervalue minimization
  • Safety Recall information
  • Code Guide information

How To Get A Window Sticker?

A window sticker can be obtained by employing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).  It is very easy to obtain a window sticker by VIN. The initial step is to locate the VIN number also known as the serial number or chassis number in some positions on the car. You can find it on the vehicle dashboard as well as on a door jamb, on the DMV registration papers, on the title, and on the insurance card. 

Once located, enter the VIN number in our unique Window sticker lookup tool to generate a window sticker for your vehicle.

Information You Will Find On a Window Sticker

Generally, the window sticker contains information such as the standard features, equipment, and packages. Most auto-manufacturers will list the things that the vehicle includes as standard, and this incorporates obvious ones like tires, seat belts, windshield, etc. It’s common for many dealers to orient their vehicle window stickers differently but every window sticker is required to contain the same information across the board. Below are some of the essential data you will discover on a window sticker: 

Vehicle Description:

You will track down the basic vehicle information on the window sticker’s initial segment, such as the make, model, year, VIN number, configuration, and interior and exterior color.

Standard & Optional Equipment

You will find this on the left side of the window sticker, a comprehensive breakdown of each model’s standard features is listed and incorporated in the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for drivers to consider. This list highlights everything from drivetrain and engine type, to essential and advanced security frameworks. 

Warranty Information

This section shows the specific warranty data for the vehicle, including powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties, emergency aides bundles, and some other manufacturer’s offers. 

Total Price

The total price section presents the total MSRP for the vehicle. This may not generally be the final price you’ll pay, but it can serve as a good standpoint for negotiation.

Fuel Economy & Safety Ratings

The last major segment on the window sticker is the vehicle’s fuel economy and safety ratings. Sometimes referred to as an EPA label, this part shows an estimate of the annual fuel costs, vehicle’s fuel efficiency, and CO2 emissions. This section also presents a vehicle’s safety ratings based on how well a vehicle performs in several crash scenarios as tested and rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The average of all of these tests is taken and the overall vehicle score is displayed on the window sticker based on NHTSA’s 5-Star safety rating system.

Parts content information

The right bottom segment of the window sticker accurately reveals how much of the vehicle’s content comes from the United States. It will also present the country of origin for most of the parts if it is not the U.S. It will also state where the vehicle was assembled; this is specifically useful for customers searching for an American-made car.

In general, remember to keep an open mind and read and understand all the information slowly and carefully. With a window sticker, searching for a new vehicle ought to be fun, and the more you know, the simpler it will be to track down your ideal match. 

Premium VIN is a reproduction of the information of the original vehicle window sticker. We provide you with factory options, packages, and pricing, engine and transmission specifications, standard features and equipment, manufacturer’s MSRP price when new,  fuel economy rating, and factory recalls.  Window stickers aim to provide you with significant information you need to know when buying or selling a used car or truck.

To view samples of our custom window stickers, visit our ” Window Sticker” page.