The FTC Buyers Guide sticker: \"as is\" vs. warranty explained
Every used car on a dealer lot should have a form hanging in a side window called the Buyers Guide. Most shoppers glance past it, yet one checked box on that form decides who pays if the transmission fails a week after you buy.
The short answer: The FTC Buyers Guide tells you whether a dealer sells a used car "as is" (you pay for any repairs after the sale), with implied warranties only (basic state-law protection, no written promise), or with a dealer warranty (the dealer covers listed systems for a set time). The Guide's terms override anything contrary in your sales contract.
Key takeaways
- Federal law requires dealers who sell more than five used vehicles in 12 months to post a Buyers Guide on each one they offer, including online.
- An "As Is - No Dealer Warranty" sale means the dealer has no obligation to pay for repairs after you drive away.
- In states that don't allow "as is" sales, dealers use an "Implied Warranties Only" version instead.
- If the dealer checks the "Dealer Warranty" box, the form must list the percentage of parts and labor covered, the systems covered and how long coverage lasts.
- Any promise a salesperson makes, such as fixing the brakes, should be written on the Buyers Guide before you sign.
What is the FTC Buyers Guide?
The Buyers Guide is a window sticker required by the Federal Trade Commission's Used Car Rule. Dealers must display one on every used car they offer for sale and give it to you after the sale. The rule covers light-duty vans and trucks, demonstrators and program cars, and you're entitled to a Buyers Guide if you buy a used car online, according to the FTC's page on buying a used car from a dealer.
The rule applies to dealers who sell or offer more than five used vehicles in a 12-month period. Private sellers aren't covered. Motorcycles and most recreational vehicles are excluded, and dealers in Maine and Wisconsin use their own state versions of the form.
The form also comes in Spanish, and a dealer who conducts the sale in Spanish must post the Spanish-language guide.
What does "as is" mean on a used car?
An "as is" sale means you accept the car in its current condition and the dealer doesn't have to pay for any repairs after the sale, even if something breaks on the drive home. On the Buyers Guide, it appears as a checked box labeled "As Is - No Dealer Warranty."
"As is" is common on older, higher-mileage or lower-priced cars and isn't a sign of a bad car by itself. It does shift all of the risk to you. The FTC recommends getting a mechanic's inspection before buying, even on a certified car, and suggests considering another dealer if one refuses to allow it.
An "as is" box doesn't excuse fraud. A dealer who lies about a car's condition, hides a known defect or misrepresents its history can still face legal action under state consumer protection laws.
What are implied warranties?
Implied warranties are unwritten promises that come with a sale under state law, unless the seller properly disclaims them. The FTC describes two main types:
- Warranty of merchantability: the car will do what a car is supposed to do, meaning it runs and drives. You generally have to show the defect existed at the time of sale.
- Warranty of fitness for a particular purpose: if the dealer recommends a car for a specific use (towing your camper, for example), the car should be suitable for that use.
In states that restrict "as is" sales, a dealer offering no written warranty uses the "Implied Warranties Only" version of the Buyers Guide. How long implied warranties last depends on state law. Some consumer guides list states such as Connecticut, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and the District of Columbia as places that limit "as is" sales of many used cars. The details vary, so confirm your state's rule with your attorney general's office.
How do the three Buyers Guide options compare?
The three options differ in who pays when something breaks and what you can do about it.
| Buyers Guide option | Who pays for repairs after the sale | What protects you | What to do before signing |
|---|---|---|---|
| As Is - No Dealer Warranty | You | Fraud and misrepresentation laws only | Get an independent inspection and price in repair risk |
| Implied Warranties Only | Dealer may be responsible for defects that existed at sale | State implied warranty law | Ask how your state handles implied warranties |
| Dealer Warranty (full or limited) | Dealer, for the listed systems, share and duration | The written warranty terms on the Guide | Read the systems list, percentage covered and duration |
What does a dealer warranty on the Buyers Guide include?
When the dealer checks the "Dealer Warranty" box, the form has to spell out the terms. The FTC's dealer guide to the Used Car Rule requires:
- Full or limited. A full warranty must meet strict federal conditions, such as free service for any owner during the period. Most dealer warranties are limited.
- Percentage of parts and labor. For example, 50% of parts and labor means you pay half of each covered repair. Any deductible must be noted.
- Systems covered and duration. Each system must be listed with how long it's covered (for example, "engine, 30 days or 1,000 miles"). Vague shorthand like "powertrain" isn't allowed.
Federal warranty law adds another layer. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer who gives a written warranty, or sells you a service contract at the time of sale or within 90 days, can't disclaim implied warranties, though it may limit their duration to that of the written warranty.
What else is on the Buyers Guide?
The Buyers Guide also includes a service contract box, a list of major systems and common defects, and contact information for complaints.
- Service contract box: checked if the dealer offers a service contract (often sold as an "extended warranty"). These cost extra and are optional. Read our take on whether an extended warranty on a used car is worth it.
- Back side: lists major mechanical and electrical systems and some common problems to look for, plus the dealer's name, address and a contact person for complaints.
- History reminder: the Guide suggests getting a vehicle history report and checking for open safety recalls. See how to check a used car for recalls by VIN.
Does the Buyers Guide override the sales contract?
Yes. The Used Car Rule requires the sales contract to state that information on the window form overrides any contrary provisions in the contract. If the Buyers Guide says the dealer gives a 30-day warranty and the contract says "as is," the Buyers Guide wins.
If you negotiate a warranty, a repair or any other condition, the dealer should update the Buyers Guide to reflect it. Spoken promises are hard to enforce.
How to use the Buyers Guide when you shop
Use the Buyers Guide as a checklist item on every car you consider, starting before the test drive.
- Photograph the Buyers Guide on each car, or ask for it if you're shopping online.
- Note which box is checked. On an "as is" car, plan for an independent inspection and set aside money for repairs.
- If there's a dealer warranty, write down the systems, percentage and duration, and ask how claims are handled.
- Get any verbal promise added to the Buyers Guide in writing.
- Make sure the final Buyers Guide you receive matches the one on the window.
These steps fit into a broader used car buying checklist you can bring with you.
Let the right car come to you
Comparing Buyers Guides is easier when you have several cars to choose from. Scout checks dealer inventory near you and emails you when a car matching your description shows up, so you aren't stuck with the one "as is" car on the lot. You can see how Scout works and set up a free saved search in a few minutes. Scout doesn't sell cars or offer warranties; you deal with the dealer directly.
Frequently asked questions
Do private sellers have to provide a Buyers Guide?
No. The FTC Used Car Rule applies to dealers who sell or offer more than five used vehicles in a 12-month period. Private sales are typically "as is" in practice, and protection usually depends on state law and whether the seller misrepresented the car. That makes an independent inspection and a vehicle history check even more important when you buy from an individual.
Can I return a used car sold "as is"?
Usually not. Federal law doesn't give used car buyers a general cooling-off period, and an "as is" sale means the dealer doesn't owe you repairs. Some states have exceptions, such as California's contract cancellation option that dealers must offer on many used cars. If the dealer lied about the car, you may have a claim regardless of the "as is" box.
What happens if a used car has no Buyers Guide?
A dealer that fails to post a Buyers Guide is violating the FTC Used Car Rule. Ask for the form before you agree to anything, and treat a missing guide as a warning sign. You can report a dealer that doesn't comply to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general's consumer protection office.
Does "as is" apply if the car is still under factory warranty?
The "as is" box refers to the dealer's own obligations. A manufacturer's warranty that is still in effect generally transfers with the car and stays valid, depending on the brand's terms. Check the original in-service date and mileage limits with a franchised dealer for that brand before you buy, so you know exactly what's left.
Is a dealer warranty the same as an extended warranty?
No. A dealer warranty is included in the sale and listed on the Buyers Guide. An extended warranty is usually a service contract sold separately for an extra price, often by a third-party company. Buying a service contract from the dealer within 90 days of the sale also means the dealer can't disclaim implied warranties under federal law.