What is a Monroney label?

A Monroney label is the federally-required window sticker affixed to every new vehicle sold in the United States. It lists the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), every factory-installed option with its individual price, the destination charge, EPA fuel-economy ratings, NHTSA crash-test ratings, warranty coverage, and the vehicle's assembly location. The label is named after Senator Mike Monroney, who sponsored the 1958 Automobile Information Disclosure Act requiring it.

Last updated 2026-06-09 · By Sam Reynolds, Lead Researcher

What the Monroney label shows, line by line

  • Base MSRP — the manufacturer's starting price for the trim.
  • Factory options & packages — itemized list with individual prices.
  • Destination charge — the cost to ship the vehicle to the dealer (not negotiable).
  • Total MSRP — base + options + destination.
  • EPA fuel economy — city, highway, combined MPG (or MPGe for EVs).
  • Estimated annual fuel cost — based on 15,000 miles/year.
  • NHTSA safety ratings — 1–5 star crash test scores.
  • Warranty — bumper-to-bumper, powertrain, and any extras.
  • Parts content & assembly — % US/Canadian content, country of origin, assembly point.
  • Engine, transmission, VIN — the unique vehicle identifiers.

Monroney vs. dealer addendum

Many dealers place a second sticker next to the Monroney called an addendum. This second sticker often adds market adjustments, paint sealant, nitrogen tires, VIN etching, and other dealer-installed items. The addendum is optional and usually negotiable. The Monroney is the one to trust — and the one to negotiate down from.

How to find a Monroney by VIN

Several manufacturers publish window stickers through public systems. Look up yours free at CarWhere's window sticker lookup:

For brands that don't publish stickers publicly (Honda, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, etc.), no free third-party tool can pull the original Monroney. The CarWhere $9.99 Full VIN Report is the next best alternative.

How to use the Monroney to negotiate

The Monroney MSRP is your negotiation anchor. Real buyers on CarWhere typically pay 5–10% off MSRP for mainstream vehicles, with deeper discounts on slow-moving inventory and tighter discounts on high-demand trims. To know what to target on a specific VIN, run the $9.99 Full VIN Report — it cross-references the Monroney against real out-the-door prices that other verified buyers paid for the same year/make/model.

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FAQ

What is the Monroney label?

The Monroney label, also called the window sticker, is the federally-required information sticker affixed to the window of every new vehicle sold in the United States. It lists the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), factory-installed options, EPA fuel economy estimates, NHTSA crash test ratings, warranty coverage, and where the vehicle was assembled. It is named after Senator Mike Monroney, who sponsored the 1958 Automobile Information Disclosure Act that requires it.

What information appears on a Monroney label?

Base MSRP, itemized factory options with individual prices, packages, destination/handling charge, total MSRP, EPA city/highway/combined MPG (or MPGe for EVs), estimated annual fuel cost, NHTSA crash test ratings (1-5 stars), warranty terms, model and trim, paint color and interior color, parts content (% US/Canadian, % country of origin), assembly point, and engine and transmission codes.

How can I find a Monroney label by VIN?

Some manufacturers publish the original Monroney label through public window-sticker systems. For Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Hyundai, and Genesis you can look it up free at carwhere.com/tools/window-sticker. For Toyota, Lexus, and Kia (public access retired in 2026) and for Honda, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Mazda, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Porsche, Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid, the original Monroney is not exposed publicly — ask the dealer or use the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report, which includes VIN decode, factory specs, recalls, and market price check (but not an official manufacturer sticker for these brands).

Is the Monroney label the same as the dealer's addendum sticker?

No. The Monroney label is the factory-mandated MSRP sheet. The dealer addendum is a second sticker the dealer places next to it that adds market adjustments, paint protection, nitrogen-filled tires, VIN etching, and other dealer-installed items. The addendum is optional, often inflated, and almost always negotiable. The Monroney is the only one you must trust.

Can the Monroney MSRP be negotiated?

Yes. The MSRP is a starting point set by the manufacturer. Verified buyers on CarWhere average a 5–10% discount off MSRP for most mainstream vehicles, with deeper discounts for slow-moving inventory and lighter discounts for high-demand models. Use the Monroney as your baseline and the CarWhere market price check to see what other buyers actually paid for the same trim.

Why is the Monroney important if I'm buying used?

Even for a 1–3 year old used vehicle, the original Monroney shows you exactly what equipment the car came with from the factory, what packages were ordered, and the original MSRP. This protects you from dealer claims like "this has the premium package" when it does not.