Buyer guide
The Buyers Guide on a Used Car Window: What It Is and Why It Matters
The Buyers Guide is the sticker the Federal Trade Commission requires on every used car a dealer offers for sale. It tells you, in writing, whether the car comes with a warranty or is sold as is, and it becomes part of your sales contract. Read it before you sign, and keep your copy.
Erik TrejoUpdated October 22, 20263 min readWhat the Buyers Guide is
A one-page form the Federal Trade Commission's Used Car Rule requires (ftc.gov/usedcars) on used cars sold by dealers. It applies to any dealer who sells more than five used cars in a year, in every state except Maine and Wisconsin.
- Where it goesOn the car, where you can read both sides. Usually a side window, or hung from the mirror. Not in the glove box or the trunk.
- WhenBefore the car is shown to you. It can come off for a test drive, then it goes back.
- In SpanishIf the sale is done in Spanish, the dealer posts the Spanish Buyers Guide.
Why it is part of your contract
Your sales contract has to say that the information on the window form is part of the contract, and that it overrides anything in the contract that says otherwise.
- At the saleYou get the original or a copy, showing anything that changed while you talked, including the warranty.
- AfterKeep it with your papers. If a question comes up about what was promised, this is the page that answers it.
The boxes, in plain words
One box at the top says how the car is sold.
- As Is, No Dealer WarrantyThe dealer offers no warranty. Repairs after the sale are yours.
- WarrantyThe dealer offers a written warranty. It must say whether it is full or limited, the percentage of parts and labor the dealer pays, and which systems are covered, and for how long.
- Manufacturer's warranty still appliesSome of the factory warranty is left on the car.
- Service contractOne is available for the car, at extra cost or included. It is separate from a warranty.
What else it tells you
The rest of the form is advice the government wants every used car buyer to read.
- Get promises in writingSpoken promises are hard to enforce.
- Have it inspectedAsk to have your own mechanic look at the car before you buy.
- Get the historyA vehicle history report, and a recall check at ftc.gov/usedcars.
- On the backThe major systems of a car and problems to watch for, and who to call at the dealership with a question after the sale.
How we do it at Authentico
Every car we sell comes with the Settle-In Promise, a written limited powertrain warranty for 15 days or 650 miles, and Year One, a 12-month service contract. At your Walkthrough, your Car Consultant reads the Buyers Guide on the window with you, and you leave with your copy.
Questions people ask
Does every used car need a Buyers Guide?
Every used car offered for sale by a dealer that sells more than five used cars in a year. A private seller does not have to post one.
What does 'As Is, No Dealer Warranty' mean?
The dealer offers no warranty. Any repairs after the sale are yours to pay for, so a written inspection and your own mechanic matter even more.
Is a service contract the same as a warranty?
No. A warranty comes with the car from the dealer or the maker. A service contract is a separate agreement covering certain repairs, with its own terms.
Can the Buyers Guide change after I agree on the car?
Yes, if you agreed to a change, like added coverage. The copy you get at the sale has to show the final terms.
Is there a Spanish Buyers Guide?
Yes. If the sale is done in Spanish, the dealer has to post the Spanish version.
Where can I read the rule itself?
The Federal Trade Commission explains it at ftc.gov/usedcars, along with tips for buying a used car.
Official sources
- Dealer's Guide to the Used Car Rule (FTC)ftc.gov
- Used cars, buyer advice (FTC)ftc.gov
- Buying a used car from a dealer (FTC)consumer.ftc.gov
- Check for recalls by VIN (NHTSA)nhtsa.gov
Keep reading
The rest of the buyer guides.
How to Inspect a Used Car Before You Buy: The 25-Point Checklist
Read it →Start hereUsed Car Maintenance in Las Vegas: Your First 12 Months, Service by Service
Read it →SigningWhere Every Dollar Goes When You Buy a Used Car in Nevada
Read it →SigningThe Papers You Sign When You Buy a Used Car in Nevada
Read it →Start hereService Contracts and GAP, in Plain Words
Read it →What Reconditioning Should a Used Car Get Before It Is Sold?
See the checklist done on a real car.
Every car we sell has its 25 points on record. Come walk them with us at your Clarity Walkthrough.
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