Can I Find My Original Car Window Sticker?

When shopping for a new vehicle, it’s pretty easy to see where a model originated. Just look at the car window sticker. The Monroney sticker, more commonly known as a car window sticker, is typically posted on or near a vehicle in a showroom or car lot. However, if you plan on buying used, it can lead you down a path of uncertainty. Rather seldom do used car dealerships have the original car window sticker for a vehicle. Nor do they care to keep record of it. 

For the most part, car buyers aren’t too concerned with the Monroney sticker. This is because they aren’t familiar with its use or haven’t figured out its value in the car buying process. In this post, we’ll break down the utility of the Monroney sticker, where it originated, and insider hacks on how to hunt down your original window sticker.

What is a car window sticker?

The Monroney sticker was introduced into law after Almer “Mike” Stillwell Monroney sponsored the Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958. Even if you’ve never heard of a Monroney Sticker or Mike, it’s likely you’ve seen one. It’s that white decal posted on a new car’s window. In fact, the U.S. mandates that every new car must legally display a car’s window sticker, mostly for buyers to review. Today, the sticker still includes a vehicle’s pricing information, make and model, assembly location, transportation costs, and VIN number. It even shows a vehicle’s fuel economy, which can often make or break a buyer’s interest.  

It essentially is the guide book to a car’s first ride in the automotive market. The next time you head to a dealership, take a closer look at that white decal, you’ll likely learn more than you expect.

Do used cars have Monroney stickers?

When searching for a new car, potential buyers and dealerships have no problem locating a car’s window sticker. Every 2021 model you see should have it displayed on their window. It’s another story when buying used. Rarely do you see used cars with their original window sticker. This means, used car buyers don’t have the same wealth of knowledge or background history of a car in question as new buyers do.

Monroney stickers are more than just a price sticker

Once buyers gain a thorough understanding of the Monroney sticker’s purpose, you’ll see why it’s not a bad idea to get your hands on the original copy. The bright side is not all hope is lost on finding your car window sticker. There are certain hacks that will lead you back to the original dawning of your car, it just takes a little patience. All you need is your vehicle’s VIN information and a proper link from your manufacturer.

Car window sticker hacks for Kia, Hyundai, Jeep, and Dodge

Let’s say you have a Kia Optima that is about 6 years old. You want to know more about where it was manufactured, but don’t have a clue as to where to start. The used car dealership you bought it from has no detail to give, which means the search is left to you. Here’s what we recommend you do:

Paste your VIN serial code to the end of the following URL link.

https://www.kia.com/us/services/en/windowsticker/load/

For Kia drivers with a model that is less than 10 years old, this useful link is your best chance of locating your original car window sticker.

Follow the same steps with these additional  URL links to track down your original car window sticker

Hyundai

https://www.hyundaiusa.com/var/hyundai/services/inventory/monroney.pdf?model=Venue&vin=

Jeep

https://www.jeep.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=

Dodge

https://www.dodge.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=

How can Monroney stickers help my car buying process?

With car prices frequently rising, many buyers face a difficult year of car buying. It’s important to know the right information on a used or new car before singing the dotted line. To see how useful car window stickers can be when comparing cars, watch this informative video below.

We hope you’ll take a second look at a vehicle’s Monroney sticker the next time you go to buy, either new or used. The fact of the matter is your car window sticker is important, make sure to hold onto it!