Used car buying guide · Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center · Elgin, IL
The Used Car Buyers Guide: What the Window Form Means
Every used car a dealer offers for sale to consumers must carry a Buyers Guide, the form required by the Federal Trade Commission's Used Car Rule. It tells you, before you buy, whether the car comes with a dealer warranty, is sold "as is," or comes with implied warranties only. Here is how to read it, in plain English, from the rule itself.
Beforethe car is offered for sale, the dealer must display the form
Both sidesmust be readily readable where it is displayed
Part ofyour sales contract, and it overrides contrary terms
90 daysservice contract window that can add implied warranty rights
The short answer
The Buyers Guide is the window form that tells you how a used car is sold. "As Is - No Dealer Warranty" means the dealer is not offering a warranty. "Implied Warranties Only" means no dealer promises to fix things, but your state's implied warranty laws may still give you some rights. A dealer warranty box means the form must spell out whether it is Full or Limited, which systems are covered, for how long, and what share of repair costs the dealer pays. The final version of the form is part of your sales contract and overrides anything in the contract that says otherwise.
What the Buyers Guide is and who must use it
The FTC's Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule, usually called the Used Car Rule, is in the Code of Federal Regulations at 16 CFR Part 455. It says that before a dealer offers a used vehicle for sale to a consumer, the dealer must prepare, fill in and display the applicable Buyers Guide on that vehicle.
The rule makes it unfair for a dealer to fail to disclose, before the sale, that a used vehicle is sold without any warranty, or to fail to make the terms of any written warranty available before the sale.
- Who counts as a dealer: anyone who sells or offers for sale a used vehicle after selling or offering five or more used vehicles in the previous twelve months. Banks and financial institutions are not included, and neither are a business selling to its own employee or a lessor selling a leased vehicle to its lessee.
- Which vehicles: motorized vehicles other than motorcycles with a gross vehicle weight rating under 8,500 lbs., a curb weight under 6,000 lbs. and a frontal area under 46 sq. ft.
- Where it goes: displayed prominently anywhere on the vehicle, so both sides of the form are readily readable. The dealer may take it off during a test drive but must put it back as soon as the test drive is over.
- What it looks like: black ink on white stock at least 11 inches high by 7 1/4 inches wide, with the wording exactly as the rule requires.
From the FTC Used Car Rule (16 CFR Part 455), sections 455.1 and 455.2, eCFR text current as of October 23, 2026, read October 27, 2026. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice.
The warranty boxes on the Buyers Guide
| What is marked | What it means | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| As Is - No Dealer Warranty | The dealer offers the vehicle without any warranty, including implied warranties. The rule notes that some state laws limit or prohibit "as is" sales; in those states this box may not be used. | Plan your own pre-purchase checks, such as an independent inspection and a recall check, before you decide. |
| Implied Warranties Only | In the rule's words: "The dealer doesn't make any promises to fix things that need repair when you buy the vehicle or afterward. But implied warranties under your state's laws may give you some rights to have the dealer take care of serious problems that were not apparent when you bought the vehicle." | Used where state law limits "as is" sales, or where a dealer chooses to offer implied warranties only. |
| Dealer Warranty: Full or Limited | The dealer offers a warranty and must mark whether it is Full or Limited and describe it on the form. | The form must name the specific systems covered (for example, engine, transmission, differential; shorthand such as "drive train" is not allowed), the duration (for example, 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever occurs first), and the percentage of the repair cost the dealer pays. |
| Non-Dealer Warranties For This Vehicle | Optional boxes a dealer may mark: the manufacturer's original warranty still applies to some components, a manufacturer's used vehicle warranty applies, and/or another used vehicle warranty applies. | Ask for the warranty document and an explanation of its coverage, exclusions and repair obligations. |
| Service Contract | A service contract is available for an extra charge. The form says to ask for details about coverage, deductible, price and exclusions, and that if you buy one within 90 days of your purchase, implied warranties under your state's laws may give you additional rights. | A service contract is not a warranty: under the rule, a warranty comes at no extra charge beyond the price of the vehicle, while a service contract is sold for an extra charge. |
From the FTC Used Car Rule (16 CFR Part 455), sections 455.1(d) and 455.2(b), read October 27, 2026. Disclosure wording is quoted from the rule.
Other details the dealer fills in
Vehicle
The make, model, model year and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The dealer may also write a stock number or leave that space blank. Use the VIN to check the car for open recalls.
Dealer
The name and address of the dealership.
Complaints
The name of the person to contact if any complaints arise after the sale.
Signature line (optional)
If the dealer adds a buyer signature line, it must sit next to the statement "I hereby acknowledge receipt of the Buyers Guide at the closing of this sale."
Changes after negotiating
If you and the dealer agree to change the warranty coverage, the changes are marked on the form. If a car offered with a warranty is sold without one, the warranty is crossed out and the As Is or Implied Warranties Only box is marked.
Spanish-language sales
If the sale is conducted in Spanish, the Buyers Guide and the contract disclosures must be in Spanish. A dealer may display both an English form and a Spanish translation on the vehicle.
From the FTC Used Car Rule (16 CFR Part 455), sections 455.2(b) to (f) and 455.5, read October 27, 2026.
Why the Buyers Guide is part of your contract
The information on the final version of the window form is incorporated into the contract of sale, and it overrides any contrary provisions in the contract. Each consumer sales contract must say so in these words: "The information you see on the window form for this vehicle is part of this contract. Information on the window form overrides any contrary provisions in the contract of sale."
When you buy, the dealer gives you the window form, or an accurate copy, with all the required disclosures and the warranty coverage you agreed on. Warranty coverage can be negotiated, but the final terms must be identified in the contract and summarized on the copy of the form you receive, and the rule does not allow a dealer to make oral or written statements that contradict the form.
From the FTC Used Car Rule (16 CFR Part 455), sections 455.3 and 455.4, read October 27, 2026.
How to use the Buyers Guide when you shop
The form is the quickest way to compare how two used cars are sold. A few habits make it more useful:
- Read both sides of the form before you test drive, and look at which warranty box is marked.
- If a dealer warranty is offered, read which systems are covered, for how long, and what percentage of parts and labor the dealer pays.
- If a manufacturer's warranty is listed as still applying, ask for the warranty document so you know what it covers.
- If you agree to a different warranty during the sale, make sure the change is marked on the form and written into the contract.
- Keep your copy of the final form with your sales contract.
- Note the VIN and use it to check for open safety recalls.
For the rest of your checks, see our guides to what to look for when buying a used car, how to check a used car for recalls and how many miles is too many for a used car.
Shopping for a used car at Elgin Auto Sales
Browse our used inventory online, then ask our sales team to walk you through the Buyers Guide on any car you are considering. You can also value your trade and explore financing before you visit.
Our sales department is open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sunday. Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center is at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin. Get directions.
Used car Buyers Guide FAQ
What is the Buyers Guide on a used car?
It is the window form the FTC's Used Car Rule requires dealers to display on used vehicles they offer for sale to consumers. It shows whether the car is sold As Is, with Implied Warranties Only, or with a dealer warranty, and whether a service contract is available.
What does As Is - No Dealer Warranty mean?
It means the dealer is selling the vehicle without any warranty, including implied warranties. Some state laws limit or prohibit as-is sales; where they do, the As Is box cannot be used.
What does Implied Warranties Only mean?
The dealer does not promise to fix things that need repair when you buy the car or afterward, but implied warranties under your state's laws may give you some rights to have the dealer take care of serious problems that were not apparent when you bought it.
Is the Buyers Guide part of my sales contract?
Yes. The final version of the form is incorporated into the contract of sale and overrides any contrary provisions in the contract.
Can the warranty terms change during the sale?
Yes. Warranty coverage can be negotiated, but the final terms must be identified in the contract of sale and summarized on the copy of the form the dealer gives you.
Is a service contract the same as a warranty?
No. Under the rule, a warranty is provided at no extra charge beyond the price of the vehicle, while a service contract is sold for an extra charge. If you buy a service contract within 90 days of your purchase, implied warranties under your state's laws may give you additional rights.
Can a dealer remove the Buyers Guide from the car?
Only temporarily during a test drive. It must be returned to the vehicle as soon as the test drive is over.
Ready to look at a used car?
Browse our used inventory, then visit us at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin and ask to see the Buyers Guide on any car.
Sources
Buyers Guide rules and quoted disclosure wording are from the FTC Used Car Rule, 16 CFR Part 455, as published in the eCFR (current as of October 23, 2026), read on October 27, 2026. This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice; your state's laws may add rights. Our address and hours are from our own website, checked the same day. Photo is of our dealership.
- Part 455, Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule (sections 455.1 to 455.6), eCFR, current as of October 23, 2026, Federal Trade Commission / Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- Home page: address and department hours, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center
- About Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center