Free FTC Buyers Guide Generator
Create FTC-compliant Buyers Guide forms required by federal law on every used vehicle for sale. Auto-fills vehicle info from VIN, includes all 15 major systems with defects, supports both As-Is and Implied Warranties Only variants, and downloads as a printable 2-page PDF.
What Is the FTC Buyers Guide?
The FTC Buyers Guide is a disclosure form required by the Federal Trade Commission's Used Car Rule (16 CFR Part 455). Every dealer selling used vehicles must display a Buyers Guide on or in every used vehicle offered for sale. This rule applies to all dealers who sell more than five used vehicles in a 12-month period.
The Buyers Guide must be posted conspicuously on or in each used vehicle, and it becomes part of the sales contract. Its purpose is to inform buyers whether the vehicle is being sold "as is" or with a warranty, and to list the major systems of the vehicle along with some of the major problems that may occur in those systems.
Failure to display a Buyers Guide can result in FTC enforcement action with civil penalties per violation. The penalty amount is adjusted annually for inflation. State attorneys general can also enforce the rule, and buyers can sue dealers who fail to comply.
What Must the Buyers Guide Include?
The FTC Used Car Rule specifies exact content requirements for the Buyers Guide:
Vehicle Identification
The make, model, model year, and VIN of the vehicle. Our generator auto-fills these from the VIN decode.
Warranty Disclosure
Either "As Is - No Dealer Warranty" (buyer pays all repair costs), "Implied Warranties Only" (for states that don't allow as-is sales), or "Dealer Warranty" with Full or Limited options specifying systems covered, duration, and percentage of repair costs the dealer will pay.
Two Form Variants
The FTC provides two versions of the Buyers Guide. Most states use the "As Is" version. States that don't allow as-is sales (including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and others) require the "Implied Warranties Only" version. Our generator supports both.
15 Major Vehicle Systems
The back of the Buyers Guide must list the following systems with some of their major defects:
Frame & Body
Engine
Transmission & Drive Shaft
Differential
Cooling System
Electrical System
Fuel System
Inoperable Accessories
Brake System
Air Bags
Steering System
Suspension System
Tires
Wheels
Exhaust System
Non-Dealer Warranties
Three checkboxes for manufacturer's original warranty, manufacturer's used vehicle warranty, and other used vehicle warranty.
Service Contract Notice
A checkbox indicating whether a service contract is available at extra charge.
Pre-Purchase Inspection & Vehicle History
A statement encouraging the buyer to ask the dealer if they may have the vehicle inspected by their own mechanic. Also a notice to obtain a vehicle history report (ftc.gov/usedcars) and check for open safety recalls (safercar.gov).
Important Warnings & Dealer Info
A notice that spoken promises are difficult to enforce, a Spanish-language translation notice, dealer name/address/phone/email, and a "for complaints after sale" contact field. The back also includes the legal notice that removing the label before consumer purchase violates federal law (16 C.F.R. 455).
"As Is" vs. Implied Warranties vs. Dealer Warranty
As Is - No Dealer Warranty
The dealer does not provide a warranty for any repairs after sale. The buyer assumes all responsibility. Used in most states.
Not available in all states. Check your state's laws.
Implied Warranties Only
The dealer makes no promises to fix things, but implied warranties under state law may give the buyer rights for serious problems not apparent at purchase.
Required in CT, HI, KS, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, RI, VT, WA, WV, and DC.
Dealer Warranty
The dealer provides either a Full Warranty or a Limited Warranty specifying systems covered, duration, and percentage of labor and parts costs the dealer will pay.
Available in all states. Must specify exact coverage details on the form.
Common Compliance Mistakes
Not posting the guide. The most common violation. Every used vehicle on your lot or showroom must have a Buyers Guide visible in a window or on the vehicle, even if it's not currently being shown to a customer.
Using the wrong form variant. If your state doesn't allow "as-is" sales, you must use the "Implied Warranties Only" version. Using the wrong form is a compliance violation.
Handwritten guides. While technically acceptable, handwritten Buyers Guides look unprofessional and increase the risk of missing required information. A printed, standardized form reduces compliance risk.
Missing systems. The FTC requires all 15 major systems to be listed on the back with their associated defects. Some generic forms omit systems or use incorrect names. Our generator includes all 15 with the exact FTC-specified defects.
Not updating after repairs. If you make repairs or change the warranty terms after posting the Buyers Guide, you must update it with a new form reflecting the current terms.
Online listings. The revised Used Car Rule (effective January 2025) requires that online listings also display the Buyers Guide information or link to a printable version.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The FTC can impose civil penalties per violation for failing to comply with the Used Car Rule. The penalty amount is adjusted annually for inflation and can be tens of thousands of dollars per vehicle. Each vehicle sold without a proper Buyers Guide can be a separate violation. In addition, buyers who are not given a Buyers Guide (or who are given a misleading one) may sue for damages, including attorney fees.
State enforcement is increasingly common. State attorneys general have brought enforcement actions against dealers for Buyers Guide violations, often as part of broader consumer protection investigations. Maintaining proper documentation is the simplest way to avoid these issues.
Get the premium version, included with every plan
Mika dealership customers get enhanced versions of all tools as part of their plan. No add-on fees, no per-use charges.
- No watermark on generated PDFs
- Dealer info pre-filled from your account
- Generate directly from your inventory