When buyers get conflicting paperwork, they usually compare apples to oranges. A window sticker is designed for customers, a build sheet is generated for plant teams, and a dealer invoice is the internal accounting document between an OEM and a franchise. Each captures different data, and when you line them up, discrepancies pop instantly. This 2025 comparison condenses what fleets, private buyers, and appraisers keep in separate binders into one workflow you can reference on every deal.
Document Basics: Purpose & Audience
Think of the three documents as layers of an onion. The window sticker is outward facing and federally regulated. It explains MSRP math, EPA ratings, safety scores, and major equipment in consumer language. The build sheet lists every internal code that engineering, quality control, and service departments need to trace a vehicle. The dealer invoice is a billing statement that shows how much the retailer owes the manufacturer for that VIN, including holdback, advertising, and incentives.
- Window Sticker: Legally required on every new vehicle sold in the U.S., and digitally archived for most 2020+ models. It is your proof of what the customer was promised.
- Build Sheet: Generated the moment a vehicle is sequenced on the line. It lists RPO/DIO codes, paint formulas, calibration files, and routing information.
- Dealer Invoice: Issued when the OEM ships or bills the unit. It reveals what the dealer paid, including hidden credits or debits that never appear on the sticker.
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
Use this table as your quick reference. When a seller's claims sound fuzzy, jump down the row that covers the data point you need and pull that specific document.
| Item | Window Sticker (Monroney) | Build Sheet (Order/Manifest) | Dealer Invoice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Consumer disclosure of MSRP, equipment, EPA, safety, and warranty summaries. | Internal documentation of every configuration code, routing instruction, and calibration. | Accounting document showing wholesale cost, holdback, incentives, and payable totals. |
| Issued By | Federal requirement; generated by OEM sales systems and attached to each VIN. | Manufacturing execution system (MES) and dealer ordering portals. | OEM financial systems such as Ford SMART Vincent, GM GlobalConnect, Stellantis DealerCONNECT. |
| Cost | Always free; archived PDFs accessible for most late-model vehicles. | Free to dealers; reproduction services may charge $50-$150 for archived copies. | Restricted to dealers; copies generally free but not publicly downloadable. |
| What It Lists | Trim, major options, MSRP math, destination, EPA ratings, safety scores, warranty blurbs. | Every RPO/DIO code, supplier notes, paint codes, drivetrain calibrations, axle ratios. | Base invoice price, option invoice prices, fuel/advertising fees, holdback, dealer credits. |
| Who Uses It | Consumers, lenders, insurers, customs, auctions. | Dealers, service departments, collision centers, restorers. | Dealers, auditors, forensic accountants, buyers negotiating transparency. |
| Legal Weight | Required by law; altering it is a federal offense. | Internal record; becomes evidence if fraud is suspected. | Financial statement; auditors use it to track incentives and taxes. |
| Best Use Case | Proving MSRP, EPA, and safety data at the moment of sale. | Verifying exact equipment for service, parts ordering, and concours restorations. | Negotiating transparency, confirming dealer cost, exposing fake "market adjustments." |
| Availability Window | Instant for 2020+ VINs via our lookup tool. | Depends on OEM; GM, Ford, and Stellantis store them indefinitely, others purge after 10 years. | Accessible while the dealer retains the record; usually seven years per accounting rules. |
| Typical Red Flags | Missing safety ratings, mismatched paint codes, altered totals. | Option code missing from a vehicle, deleted emissions hardware, conflicting plant notes. | Invoice totals not matching financing paperwork, handwritten corrections, missing VIN. |
Brand-by-Brand Differences
Most OEMs follow the same federal template, but they hide helpful extras in the fine print. Review each section below, then keep our How to Read a Window Sticker checklist handy for the consumer-facing clues and the VIN Decoder Playbook for the underlying character logic.
Ford / Lincoln
Window stickers show "EPA Fuel Economy Estimates" plus SmartCharge data for EVs. Build sheets (Vehicle Scheduled/Produced reports) reveal axle codes and police/fleet calibrations. Dealer invoices show floorplan credits and regional advertising fees (FDAF).
General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac)
GM build sheets (GlobalConnect RPO printouts) list U.S. and Canadian content percentages. Dealer invoices include holdback plus LMA (Local Marketing Association) charges. Window stickers highlight OnStar term lengths and Super Cruise hardware.
Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Alfa Romeo, Fiat)
Build sheets reference "Sales Codes" like ADG or AHJ, which collision shops need to order fascia or wiring. Dealer invoices flag gas-guzzler taxes separately-watch for them on Hellcats. Window stickers emphasize towing statements and upfitter wiring availability.
Toyota / Lexus
Build sheets (TIS Vehicle Inquiry) display plant-specific option packages and port-installed accessories. Dealer invoices show TDA (Toyota Dealer Advertising) and HB (Holdback). Window stickers list Toyota Safety Sense and hybrid battery coverage in bold.
Honda / Acura
Window stickers are bilingual for Canadian units. Build sheets capture factory accessory kits like AWD block heaters. Dealer invoices often bundle destination with accessory packs, so audit the math if the dealer claims they were "free."
Luxury Imports (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi)
Build sheets reveal European option codes (ZPK, 5AU, etc.) with direct translations. Dealer invoices show delivery allowances plus training fees. Window stickers highlight EPA, but CO₂ grams/km also appear for compliance with EU export rules.
Red Flags When Documents Don't Match
- VIN formatting: The VIN must match down to the checksum. A single typo invalidates the entire document.
- Color and trim codes: Build sheets use alphanumeric paint codes. If the sticker lists Crystal Pearl but the build sheet says Bright White, look for repaint evidence.
- Option pricing: Dealer invoices list option invoice prices, which should match the options listed on the sticker. Missing line items usually mean deleted or added equipment.
- Dates: Build sheets show sequence dates, stickers show final print dates, and invoices show billing dates. Large gaps can indicate storage damage repairs or buy-back situations.
- Handwritten edits: Authentic documents rarely include handwriting. When they do, the dealer should stamp and initial the page.
How to Get Each Document (Links Included)
- Window Sticker: Use our free lookup tool. Select the brand, enter the VIN, and the official PDF opens in a new tab.
- Build Sheet: Ask a cooperative dealer's service advisor to print the VIN build from their OEM portal. If that fails, services like GM Heritage, Ford Performance, or third-party archivists can reproduce it for a fee.
- Dealer Invoice: During negotiations, request a copy with sensitive data redacted. Dealers often provide it to serious buyers, especially on specialty vehicles or fleet orders.
For collectors, scan each document and store them with your title packet. Future buyers will pay more for a vehicle that includes the entire paper trail.
Case Studies: Scams Caught in 2025
Case Study #1 - The "Carbon Package" That Never Was
A Cadillac Escalade seller claimed a $10,000 carbon package. The window sticker showed no such option, but the build sheet confirmed the RPO was never ordered. The buyer negotiated $8,500 off immediately.
Case Study #2 - Fleet Tahoe with Missing Safety Suite
A rental fleet Tahoe arrived with cloth seats despite the invoice listing leather. Comparing the build sheet revealed it was built as a Government Fleet spec with deleted airbags. The buyer walked away and saved thousands in retrofit costs.
Case Study #3 - Invoice Fraud on a Dealer Trade
A store tried to charge a $2,000 "dealer-installed protection package." The invoice showed no such charge, and the build sheet lacked the corresponding code. The customer refused the upsell, citing both documents.
Workflow: Use All Three in One Checklist
- Start with the window sticker to verify MSRP, EPA data, and key packages.
- Pull the build sheet to confirm that every option code on the sticker truly exists, and to capture hidden fleet/dealer-installed equipment codes.
- Review the dealer invoice to understand the real cost, incentives applied, and any mystery fees.
- Document discrepancies in a shared spreadsheet. Attach PDFs so everyone on your team sees the same evidence.
Once you try this process a few times, you will wonder how you ever bought vehicles without it. Transparency shuts down scams, accelerates financing approvals, and protects resale value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the top ten questions we receive about the three documents. Expand each section and reference the FAQ schema above for rich results.
What is the difference between a window sticker and a build sheet?
A window sticker (Monroney) is the federally mandated MSRP label that lists equipment, EPA data, safety ratings, and warranty summaries in consumer-friendly language. A build sheet is an internal factory report that lists every RPO or order code, sequencing step, and plant note that never appears on the Monroney.
Who can provide an official dealer invoice copy?
Dealer invoices originate from the manufacturer's accounting portal, so only franchise dealers can download originals. Serious buyers can request a redacted copy, but OEMs rarely send invoices directly to the public.
Is a window sticker always free?
Yes. New vehicles must display a window sticker by law, and late-model archives let you pull the original PDF through our tool for free. Some OEMs limit older vehicles, but anything 2020+ is typically available instantly.
When do build sheets matter more than stickers?
Build sheets are essential when you need every engineering option code-think wiring harness orders, fleet prep verifications, concours restorations, or confirming that an upfitter chassis shipped with the right PTO components.
Can a dealer invoice prove what the seller paid?
Invoices show base price, option invoice pricing, holdback, advertising fees, and incentives billed to the store. They offer cost transparency, but you still need the window sticker for MSRP documentation and the build sheet to confirm equipment.
What red flags show the documents do not match?
Mismatched VINs, color codes that differ across documents, option packages missing from one source, or handwritten edits on an invoice all point to altered paperwork. Always cross-check dates, totals, and option codes.
How do I get a build sheet for a GM vehicle?
GM dealers can print a build sheet through GlobalConnect's Vehicle Information window. Owners can ask a cooperative dealer for a copy or order a reproduction from paid services like GM Heritage if the dealer declines.
What if a dealer refuses to share the invoice?
Request a summary that shows key fees, lean on third-party pricing data, and continue using the window sticker for MSRP verification. Dealers are not obligated to share invoices, but many will when you present a serious offer.
Do Canadian vehicles use different documents?
Canadian window stickers include bilingual compliance text and CAD pricing, yet the build sheets and dealer invoices follow the same internal formats. Exchange-rate adjustments simply appear on the invoice totals.
Can I use these documents to catch scams?
Absolutely. Comparing all three exposes title washing, fake MSRP claims, missing options, swapped interiors, and odometer rollbacks. Our case studies are real examples of buyers shutting down scams with this method.