Every used car on your lot needs a Buyers Guide. It's not optional. It's federal law.
The FTC Used Car Rule (16 CFR Part 455) requires every dealer who sells more than five used vehicles in a 12-month period to display a Buyers Guide on each vehicle. The form tells buyers whether the vehicle is sold "as is" or with a warranty, lists the major vehicle systems, and warns that spoken promises are hard to enforce.
Failure to display one can result in civil penalties per violation (the amount is adjusted annually for inflation and can be tens of thousands of dollars). Each vehicle is a separate violation.
Most dealers either handwrite them (looks bad), buy pre-printed pads that run out (inconvenient), or pay monthly for compliance software (unnecessary). We built a free Buyers Guide generator that produces a 2-page PDF matching the exact official FTC template, with all 15 required vehicle systems and their specific defects.
What the FTC Requires
The Buyers Guide must include:
Vehicle Identification
Year, make, model, and VIN. Our generator auto-fills these from a VIN decode, so you don't type them manually.
Warranty Disclosure
One of three options must be checked:
"As Is - No Dealer Warranty" means the buyer pays all repair costs. The dealer has no obligation to fix anything after the sale, regardless of any verbal promises. Most independent used car dealers sell vehicles as-is.
"Implied Warranties Only" is required in states that don't allow as-is sales (Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and DC). The dealer doesn't make explicit promises but implied warranties under state law still apply.
"Dealer Warranty" means the dealer covers specific systems for a specific duration. The form must list which systems, how long, and what percentage of repair costs the dealer pays (Full Warranty or Limited Warranty).
Non-Dealer Warranties
Three checkboxes on the front page for manufacturer's original warranty still applies, manufacturer's used vehicle warranty applies, and other used vehicle warranty applies.
15 Vehicle Systems
The FTC requires listing these systems on the back of the Buyers Guide with some of their major defects:
- Frame & Body - frame cracks, corrective welds, rusted through, dog tracks (bent or twisted frame)
- Engine - oil leakage, cracked block or head, belts missing, knocks or misses, abnormal exhaust discharge
- Transmission & Drive Shaft - improper fluid level or leakage, cracked case, abnormal noise from faulty transmission or drive shaft, improper shifting, clutch slips or chatters
- Differential - improper fluid level or leakage, cracked housing, abnormal noise from faulty differential
- Cooling System - leakage including radiator, improperly functioning water pump
- Electrical System - battery leakage, improperly functioning alternator, generator, battery, or starter
- Fuel System - visible leakage
- Inoperable Accessories - gauges or warning devices, air conditioner, heater & defroster
- Brake System - failure warning light broken, pedal not firm (DOT spec.), not enough pedal reserve (DOT spec.), does not stop in straight line (DOT spec.), hoses damaged, drum or rotor too thin, lining or pad less than 1/32 inch, power unit not operating or leaking
- Air Bags - (listed as a separate system category)
- Steering System - too much free play at steering wheel (DOT specs.), linkage play more than 1/4 inch, gear binds or jams, front wheels aligned improperly, power unit belts cracked or slipping
- Suspension System - ball joint seals damaged, structural parts bent, stabilizer bar disconnected, spring broken, shock absorber mounting loose, rubber bushings damaged, radius rod damaged, shock absorber leaking
- Tires - tread depth less than 2/32 inch, sizes mismatched, visible damage
- Wheels - visible cracks, damage or repairs, mounting bolts loose or missing
- Exhaust System - leakage, catalytic converter
All 15 must appear on the form. Some generic templates skip systems or combine them incorrectly (e.g., merging Tires and Wheels into one, omitting Air Bags). Our generator includes every system with the exact defect descriptions from the official FTC template.
Service Contract Notice
A checkbox indicating whether a service contract is available at extra charge.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Notice
A statement encouraging buyers to ask if they can have the vehicle inspected by their own mechanic.
Vehicle History Report
A notice directing buyers to ftc.gov/usedcars for vehicle history reports and safercar.gov for open safety recalls.
Important Warnings
That spoken promises are hard to enforce. That a Spanish translation is available upon request. That the information on the form is part of any contract to buy the vehicle, and that removing it before consumer purchase (except for test-driving) violates federal law.
Dealer Info (Back Page)
Dealer name, address, telephone, email, and "for complaints after sale, contact" fields.
Common Compliance Mistakes
Not posting the guide at all. The most common violation. Even if a vehicle isn't being actively shown, it needs a Buyers Guide visible on or in it.
Using the wrong form variant. If your state doesn't allow as-is sales, you must use the "Implied Warranties Only" version, not the "As Is" version. Using the wrong form is itself a violation.
Handwritten forms. Technically acceptable but they look unprofessional and are more likely to miss required information. A printed, standardized form is better.
Missing systems. The FTC requires all 15 systems with their associated defects. If your form only lists 10 or 12, or combines Tires and Wheels into one entry, or omits Air Bags, you're not compliant.
Not updating after changes. If you repair a system or change warranty terms after posting the guide, you must replace it with an updated form.
Ignoring online listings. The revised Used Car Rule (effective January 2025) requires that online listings also display Buyers Guide information or link to a printable version.
States That Restrict "As-Is" Sales
Not every state allows as-is sales. Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Washington DC have laws that limit or prohibit as-is used car sales. If you operate in one of these states, you must use the "Implied Warranties Only" version of the Buyers Guide. Consult your state's dealer licensing board for details.
Why We Made This Free
Compliance software companies charge $30-75/month for Buyers Guide generation. Some sell pre-printed form pads for $2-5 per form.
This produces a 2-page PDF that matches the exact official FTC Buyers Guide template. Front page has the warranty disclosure, non-dealer warranties, service contract, inspection notice, and vehicle history report reference. Back page has all 15 systems with their defects in 3 columns, dealer info fields, complaint contact, and the legal notice. Charging money for this would be absurd.
Generate a free Buyers Guide for any vehicle on your lot. Print as many as you need.