What Is a Build Sheet?
A car’s build sheet is based on the car’s unique vehicle identification number (VIN). It lists both standard and optional equipment that a specific vehicle was originally built with. A build sheet will also list the vehicle manufacturer, model year, body type, engine type, transmission type, and build date.Build sheets (also referred to as broadcast sheets) are used at a vehicle assembly plant to track the installation of equipment as the vehicle travels down the assembly line. In an environment where a car manufacturer is building thousands of vehicles right next to each other, the build sheet ensures the right car gets the right equipment to match how a customer or dealership ordered it. Everything from paint color to engine size to audio system is based on what the build sheet specifies.
When a new car is fully assembled the build sheet is placed in the vehicle. The location is usually an obscure area to make sure the sheet stays with the vehicle throughout the transportation and sales process. In older Chevrolet, Dodge, or Ford models these build sheets can often be found under the rear seat or under the dash behind the glove box.
As with a car’s original window sticker, having a car’s original build sheet adds market value. You’ll even see original build sheets for vintage American cars listed on eBay because enthusiasts like to collect them and study how these cars were assembled. But what if you have a used car and can’t locate the build sheet?
Getting You Car’s Build Sheet By VIN
You can recreate a build sheet for a car, but you’ll need the car’s unique identifier. This number can be found under the windshield on the driver’s side of the dashboard, or in the door jamb area of the driver’s side door. If you see a 17-digit serial number in either location, that’s the car’s VIN number.Once you have a vehicle’s VIN you can use iSeeCar’s window sticker tool to perform a VIN lookup and secure a car’s build sheet and a window sticker. In addition to the build sheet’s standard and optional equipment, a car’s window sticker adds detailed pricing, vehicle specifications, fuel efficiency, safety, and warranty information.
Several websites offer a build sheet by VIN tool, but iSeeCars’ combination of a build sheet and window sticker provides detailed information not found in a typical online VIN check. Users can choose between a one-sheet window sticker with basic specs and pricing, or a multi-page build sheet with additional information like comprehensive standard and optional equipment lists grouped by exterior, interior and drivetrain items.
