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If you want to gather information about a car - whether new or old - then the first thing you should be looking at is the window sticker. A window sticker, also known as Monroney - named after a congressman who proposed its mandatory use, is attached at the side windows of a vehicle. It contains the basic information about the car

Attention to details

Buyers do read the window stickers before buying a car but most of them don’t pay significant attention to details. This passing look to the information can prove disastrous. People say that the information is so confusing and complex that they are unable to read it properly.

In the following lines, we’ll give you step-by-step guidelines on how to read a window sticker properly.

Reading the sticker

A window sticker has six basic sets of information. The breakdown is as follows:

1- Standard Equipment

This part of the sticker includes the key information like mechanical and performance features, safety, exterior and comfort/convenience benchmarks.

2- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

This is a unique identification number for each vehicle. Match it with the one on the car and also tally with the documentation.

3- Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Manufacturers always put an estimated retail price value on the sticker for customer’s and dealer’s convenience. This is the base price before the options and delivery charges are added.

4- Optional equipment

Mudguards, CD player and power tilt/Moon-roof are extra-cost features that are included in the MSRP.

5- Fuel economy and capacity

In compliance with the EPA rules, manufacturers conduct fuel economy tests. Additionally, information about the fuel tanks and transmission is also present on this portion.

6- Total price

This is the total MSRP price - an aggregate sum of the base MSRP, options, option-package discounts, destination, and market adjustments. Taxes, registration fees and title fees are not included in total price.