The Monroney sticker is the federally required new-vehicle label prepared with manufacturer information. A dealer addendum is a separate dealership label or worksheet used to list dealer-installed products, services, markups, or adjustments.
Reading the two documents separately helps you identify what was built into the vehicle, what the dealer added after arrival, and which amounts deserve a direct negotiation.
What is the difference between a Monroney sticker and dealer addendum?
The Monroney sticker identifies the new vehicle’s manufacturer pricing and factory configuration; the dealer addendum lists dealership-created changes or charges. Factory-installed options are part of the vehicle as built. Dealer-installed products may be negotiable, removable from the deal, or avoidable by choosing another vehicle, even when physical removal is impractical.
Monroney sticker vs. dealer addendum
The physical placement can look similar, but the source and meaning of the pricing are different.
| Feature | Monroney window sticker | Dealer addendum |
|---|---|---|
| Prepared by | Manufacturer information under federal labeling law | Dealership |
| Typical pricing | Base MSRP, factory options, destination, total MSRP | Dealer-installed products, services, or market adjustment |
| Vehicle details | Model, equipment, fuel-economy and other required information | Products or pricing chosen by the dealership |
| Negotiability | The total sale price is negotiable, but factory equipment is already part of the vehicle | Products, prices, and markup are often negotiable or avoidable |
| Buyer question | “Is this the exact factory configuration I want?” | “Did I request this, and is it worth the price?” |
How to read the documents in the right order
1. Match the VIN
Confirm that the Monroney sticker and dealer quote refer to the exact vehicle you are buying. Similar trims can have different factory packages and pricing.
2. Confirm base MSRP and factory options
Review the model, trim, powertrain, packages, individual options, and manufacturer prices. These items make up the configured factory vehicle.
3. Locate destination and total MSRP
The manufacturer destination charge should appear on the sticker and roll into total MSRP. Read our destination-charge guide to avoid counting it twice.
4. Move to the dealer addendum
List each product, service, accessory, protection package, and adjustment. Ask when it was installed, who manufactured it, and whether it can be declined.
5. Rebuild the out-the-door price
Start with the negotiated vehicle price, subtract verified incentives, and add only accepted products, legitimate fees, taxes, and registration. Run the numbers with the out-the-door price calculator.
Do not let the addendum redefine MSRP
A dealer may show “adjusted market value” or “dealer price” beneath the factory sticker. That amount is not the manufacturer’s total MSRP. Preserve the distinction when comparing discounts and dealer quotes.
Common addendum charges and what to ask
Tint, pinstripes, wheels, or trim
Ask who installed it, the retail value, warranty coverage, and whether a comparable unmodified vehicle is available.
Paint, fabric, ceramic, or corrosion packages
Request the actual product, application record, written warranty, exclusions, and cancellation terms. Compare the price with independent options.
Alarm, GPS, theft recovery, or VIN etching
Ask whether the system is already activated, whether there is a subscription, and whether the charge can be removed from the deal.
Wheel locks, mats, cargo products
Compare the addendum price with the manufacturer accessory catalog and ordinary retail pricing.
Maintenance or protection plans
Read the contract provider, term, coverage, deductible, transfer rules, and cancellation process before agreeing.
Market adjustment
This is extra dealer selling price, not equipment. Compare same-brand dealers and see our market-adjustment guide.
Installed does not automatically mean mandatory
A dealer may say physical removal is impractical. You can still ask the dealer to remove the charge, reduce the vehicle price, locate an unmodified unit, or provide a written quote on an incoming vehicle without the product.
How to negotiate dealer addendum items
A simple quote request
“Please send the Monroney sticker and an itemized out-the-door quote for VIN ______. Show the dealer selling price before incentives, each addendum item, documentation fee, government charges, taxes, and the final total.”
A simple response
“I did not request the addendum products and do not assign them value. I will buy at the agreed vehicle price without those charges, or I can consider an unmodified vehicle with the same factory configuration.”
1. Price the factory vehicle
Use the exact trim and options to compare invoice price with MSRP.
2. Value add-ons independently
Do not accept a bundle price without understanding each component. Assign zero value to anything you would not have purchased voluntarily.
3. Compare another VIN or dealer
The easiest way to avoid dealer-installed equipment can be selecting a vehicle that has not received it.
4. Review the final buyer’s order
Confirm that declined items did not return under a different name and that the selling price matches the written quote.
Price what came from the factory first.
An invoice-pricing benchmark helps isolate the vehicle’s factory configuration before dealer additions complicate the quote.
Check My Invoice PriceWhat to save before you sign
Monroney sticker
Save a clear copy tied to the VIN, including total MSRP, factory options, destination, and required vehicle information.
Dealer addendum
Save the version displayed or sent with the quote, including each listed product, price, and adjustment.
Buyer’s order
Compare the final contract line by line with the written out-the-door quote before signing or funding the deal.
Separate the factory car from the dealer-created price.
Research the exact factory configuration, decide which addendum items have value, and compare complete written quotes before entering the finance office.
Monroney sticker and dealer addendum FAQs
Is a dealer addendum part of the Monroney sticker?
No. The addendum is a separate dealership document or label. The Monroney sticker contains manufacturer and federally required new-vehicle information.
Can a dealer remove factory-installed options?
Factory-installed options are part of the vehicle as built and generally cannot be removed economically. You can negotiate the total selling price or choose a different factory configuration.
Can I refuse dealer-installed accessories?
You can ask the dealer to remove the product or charge, discount the vehicle, or provide an unmodified vehicle. The dealer may refuse your offer, so compare other inventory and dealerships.
Is a market adjustment an accessory?
No. A market adjustment is extra dealer selling price and provides no equipment or service. It may appear on the same addendum as accessories.
What if the dealer says an add-on is already installed?
Ask for proof of installation, product details, warranty, and cancellation terms. Even if physical removal is impractical, you can negotiate the charge or choose another vehicle.
Sources and editorial note
- 15 U.S.C. § 1232: Label and Entry Requirements (federal new-vehicle label requirements)
- Autotrader: Can You Get a Dealer to Remove Accessories? (updated February 27, 2026; factory- versus dealer-installed accessories)
- Kelley Blue Book: What Are Destination Charges? (window-sticker destination pricing)
Information reviewed July 13, 2026. Vehicle programs, lender qualifications, dealer practices, and state rules can change. Confirm the numbers and terms on your written quote and purchase agreement.
