Dealer Ratings By Metro

Federal Used Car Rule

As Is Sales And The FTC Buyers Guide

Most used cars on a lot come with a window sticker that tells you, in one ticked box, who pays when something breaks. Here is how to read it and what to do before you sign.

Call (951) 267-8500Check Your Metro
Federal Buyers Guide sticker in a van window with the as is, no dealer warranty box ticked
A real Buyers Guide on a dealer lot. The as is box was the one that was ticked.

Written by Anthony Limpert, Lead Technician, Supercanic, Hemet CA. Author Source. Updated November 11, 2026.

What As Is Really Means

A car sold as is leaves the lot with no promise attached. Say the transmission slips a mile down the road. In most cases that repair lands on you, not the seller. The car may still be a fine car. The difference is who carries the risk once the papers are signed, and that is why your homework belongs before you sign.

The Sticker On The Window

Under the Federal Trade Commission's Used Car Rule, a dealer has to hang a Buyers Guide on each used car on the lot. One box on it says as is. Another says dealer warranty, with the parts and the length of coverage spelled out.

That sticker counts as part of your deal. When the paperwork and the sticker disagree, the sticker controls. Take a copy home with you.

The same sticker nudges you to bring in a mechanic you trust. Only dealers are bound by it, so a car bought from a neighbor will not have one. The FTC walks through it in its guide to buying a used car from a dealer.

Implied Warranties And State Rules

Many states give you a baseline promise even when nothing is written down. It is called an implied warranty, and at its core it means the car should run and drive. In plenty of states the as is box wipes that out. Others cap as is sales, ban them, or add lemon law cover for used cars.

Watch for one federal twist. Buy a service contract from the dealer within 90 days of the sale and the dealer generally loses the right to waive implied warranties.

No Cooling Off Period

Federal law gives you no general right to hand a car back. The three day rule people talk about does not reach dealer car sales. If the return terms are not printed in your deal, treat the purchase as final.

How Ratings Fit In

When the car carries no warranty, the lot's habits count for more. Across our 109 metros, 23% of rated lots sit under 4 stars. Buy here pay here lots average 4.35 stars nationally, against 4.47 for franchise dealers. Check your metro first, then read the sticker on the car you want.

Three Things To Do On The Lot

  1. Find the sticker on your car. Lots park look alikes together, so match the VIN on the sticker to the dash plate.
  2. Hold the salesperson to the ticked box. Heard warranty but see as is? Settle that before any pen comes out.
  3. Write down every promise. A fix the seller swears to do later only counts once it is on paper.

For the longer version with state notes, read what an as is sale means for you.

Sources