How to Get a Window Sticker from a VIN: A Guide for Dealers & Buyers

Whether you're a car dealership managing hundreds of vehicles or a buyer researching a used car, knowing how to get a window sticker from a VIN can save you time and help you make better decisions.

What Is a Window Sticker?

A window sticker — officially called a Monroney label — is the pricing and specification sheet that's affixed to a new car's window at the dealership. It's required by federal law (the Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958) and must be displayed on every new car sold in the United States.

The sticker is named after Senator Almer Stillwell "Mike" Monroney, who sponsored the legislation.

What's on a Window Sticker?

A typical window sticker includes:

• Vehicle specifications — Engine, transmission, drivetrain, and dimensions
• Standard equipment — Features that come included with the vehicle
• Optional equipment — Any additional packages or options added
• MSRP — Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
• Destination charge — The cost to transport the vehicle from the factory
• Fuel economy — EPA-estimated miles per gallon (city, highway, combined)
• Safety ratings — NHTSA crash test ratings when available
• Warranty information — Coverage details from the manufacturer

Why Do Dealerships Need Window Stickers?

For car dealerships, window stickers serve several purposes:

1. Justify Pricing on Pre-Owned Vehicles

The original MSRP and option list help buyers understand what they're getting. A car listed at $28,000 that had an original MSRP of $42,000 immediately communicates value.

2. Build Buyer Confidence

When a customer can see every factory-installed feature, it builds trust. No guessing about whether the car has heated seats or a premium audio system.

3. Enhance Online Listings

Including the window sticker in your online listings gives buyers more information upfront, which leads to more qualified inquiries and fewer tire-kickers.

4. Streamline the Sales Process

Instead of looking up features manually, your sales team can reference the sticker. It saves time and eliminates errors.

How to Get a Window Sticker

For Individual Buyers

Some manufacturers offer free window sticker lookup tools on their websites. However, coverage is inconsistent — some OEMs only provide stickers for recent model years, and some don't offer public tools at all.

You can also try:

• Contacting the dealership where the car was originally sold
• Calling the manufacturer directly with your VIN
• Using a third-party service that aggregates sticker data across OEMs

For Dealerships

If you're managing a dealership, looking up window stickers one-by-one across different OEM portals is painful. Each manufacturer has their own portal, their own login, and their own process.

That's exactly why we built vindecode.app for dealers. One dashboard for all OEMs:

• Enter a VIN and get the window sticker — Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, BMW, Mercedes, and 30+ other manufacturers
• Track your inventory — see which vehicles have stickers and which need them
• Get shareable links — send stickers to customers or embed them on your website
• Manage multiple dealerships — one account for all your rooftops

No more logging into five different OEM portals. No more hunting through emails for sticker PDFs. Just VIN in, sticker out.

Contact us to get started.

What Is a VIN?

If you're not sure what a VIN is or how to find yours, check out our complete guide to VIN numbers. You can also decode any VIN for free using our tool to get detailed vehicle specs.