Volkswagen Beetle Window Sticker

The Volkswagen Beetle window sticker — build, options & years

The Volkswagen Beetle ran from 1998–2019 across 4 generations (1971–1973, 1974–1978, 1998–2002, 2012–2020). Its Monroney label captures exactly how each one left the factory — the build, the options it was optioned with and the price, built around the 2.0L, 4-cyl, Regular fuel, Front-Wheel Drive powertrain.

Which year's sticker do I need? Any Volkswagen Beetle VIN works — ForCar reads the exact model year automatically. On owner data the cleanest years are 1999, 2000, 2001; the most-complained-about are 1998, 2015, 2013. For year-by-year recalls, MPG and safety, see the full Volkswagen Beetle VIN decoder.

What the Volkswagen Beetle sticker says about fuel

Fuel economy is a legally required block on every Monroney label — city, highway and combined figures plus the estimated annual fuel bill. These are the EPA numbers on file for the Beetle, latest tested year 2019:

The label also prints an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel at 15,000 miles, and 353 g/mi of CO₂. EPA files the Beetle under Subcompact Cars, which is the class it gets compared against on the sticker.

How the Beetle's sticker figure changed

Combined MPG printed on the label, model year by model year — 1998 to 2019. Worth checking before you compare a Beetle sticker from one year with another:

The figure actually fell by 9 mpg across the span — usually a sign of added weight or power. EPA revised its testing method in 2008, which shifts figures printed before and after that year.

Safety ratings printed on the label

The second required block: NHTSA's five-star crash results. This is what the Beetle sticker carries as of its 2014 rating:

Stars are awarded per test, so a car can hold five overall and fewer for rollover — tall vehicles usually give ground there. Compare against every rated model in the safest cars ranking.

What a used Beetle sells for now

The label froze the Beetle price on the day it left the factory; the market has moved since, and this is where it landed: median asking price of the Beetle by model year, from 228 live US listings:

A 2018 Beetle asks a median $25,000 today, a 2004 about $4,899. Full breakdown on the Volkswagen Beetle value page.

What's on the Volkswagen Beetle sticker

Every Monroney label carries the same required blocks: MSRP with itemised options, EPA fuel economy — for this car 29 mpg combined, NHTSA safety ratings — 5 stars overall here, standard and optional equipment, and parts-content origin. Every Beetle VIN returns its own build rather than a generic spec.

For how to read each block, what to do if the sticker is lost, and how it differs from a build sheet, see the window sticker guide.

Beetle window sticker — every model year

This covers the Volkswagen Beetle for 1998–2019. Enter any Beetle VIN above and ForCar pulls the exact build and Monroney label for that specific year automatically. No need to pick a year. Driving something else? Browse window stickers for every Volkswagen model.

Want Beetle recalls, MPG, safety and reliability too? See the full Volkswagen Beetle VIN decoder →

Where to find the VIN on a Volkswagen Beetle

1. WindshieldLower-left corner, driver's side, readable from outside without opening anything.
2. Door jambOn the driver's door frame of every Beetle, next to the tyre-pressure and build-date plate.
3. DocumentsRegistration, title and insurance card — on a Volkswagen Beetle all three must show the same number.

All four must match. A Volkswagen Beetle whose windshield plate disagrees with the door jamb has either had a panel replaced or a tampered identity — check the paperwork before any money changes hands.