As-Is Sale: What “As Is — No Dealer Warranty” Means
Also called: As is — no dealer warranty, Sold as-is
An as-is sale is a used-car sale with no dealer warranty: the buyer accepts the car with whatever problems it has, and repairs after the sale are the buyer’s cost. Under the FTC Used Car Rule, dealers must disclose this on the Buyers Guide posted in the car’s window, and some states limit or prohibit as-is sales.
By the CarWhere Research team · Updated November 2026
How it affects a buyer
Buying as-is shifts the risk of hidden problems to you. If the transmission fails the week after you buy, the dealer generally has no obligation to fix it. The FTC’s Used Car Rule requires dealers to display a Buyers Guide on every used car they offer, stating whether it’s sold as-is or with a warranty, and the Buyers Guide becomes part of the sales contract — if it promises a warranty, that warranty applies even if the contract says otherwise. Some states don’t allow dealers to sell certain used cars as-is, or impose implied warranties, so the protections depend on where you buy. Private-party sales are typically as-is, and the Used Car Rule doesn’t apply to them.
How to check it
Read the Buyers Guide before you negotiate and keep a copy. Because there’s no warranty to fall back on, get an independent pre-purchase inspection, check the VIN for open recalls (those repairs are free regardless of the sale terms), and look for salvage-auction and stolen-vehicle records. Factor likely repairs into your offer.
Check it on a specific car
Frequently asked questions
Can I return a car I bought as-is?
Generally no. There is no federal cooling-off period for car purchases, and an as-is sale means the dealer isn’t responsible for problems after the sale. Fraud or misrepresentation may give you other remedies under state law.
Do lemon laws cover as-is used cars?
Most state lemon laws focus on new vehicles. A few states have used-car lemon laws or implied-warranty rules that limit as-is sales, so it varies by state.
Does the FTC Buyers Guide apply to private sellers?
No. The Used Car Rule covers dealers, defined as those who sell more than five used vehicles in a 12-month period. Private sales are typically as-is.