Federal Trade Commission | ftc.gov

Buying a Used Car

SALE
Contents

Before You Buy a Used Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Payment Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Dealer Sales and the Buyers Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Dealer Identification and Consumer Complaint 

Information................................................................................... 4

Optional Signature Line.............................................................. 4

Spanish Language Sales..............................................................5

Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

As Is - No Warranty.......................................................................5

Implied Warranties ...................................................................... 6

Warranty of Merchantability..................................................... 6

Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose ....................... 6

Unexpired Manufacturer’s Warranties ................................... 8

Service Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Pre-Purchase Independent Inspection . . . . . . . . . 10

Vehicle Systems .......................................................................... 11

Private Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

If You Have Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Sample Buyers Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
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Before you start shopping for a used car, do some homework. It may save you serious money. Consider your driving habits, 

what the car will be used for, and your budget. Research models, 

options, costs, repair records, safety tests, and mileage — online 

and through libraries and book stores.

Before You Buy a Used Car

Whether you buy a used car from a dealer or an individual:

● Examine the car using an inspection checklist. You can find 

checklists in magazines, books, and on websites that deal 

with used cars. 

● Test drive the car under varied road conditions — on hills, 

highways, and in stop-and-go traffic. 

● Ask for the car’s maintenance record from the owner, dealer, 

or repair shop. 

● Talk to the previous owner, especially if the current owner is 

unfamiliar with the car’s history. 

● Hire a mechanic to inspect the car. 

● Determine the value of the vehicle before you negotiate 

the purchase. Check the National Automobile Dealers 

Association’s (NADA) Guides (www.nadaguides.com), 

Edmunds (www.edmunds.com), and Kelley Blue Book 

(www.kbb.com). 

● Research the frequency of repair and maintenance costs on 

the models in auto-related consumer magazines. The U.S. 

Department of Transportation’s Vehicle Safety Hotline 

(1-888-327-4236) and website (www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq) 

gives information on recalls. 

● Check a trusted database service that gathers information 

from state and local authorities, salvage yards, and insurance 

companies for an independent and efficient review of 

a vehicle’s history. For example, the Department of 

Justice’s National Motor Vehicle Title Information System 

(NMVTIS) (www.vehiclehistory.gov) offers information 

about a vehicle’s title, odometer data, and certain damage 

history. Expect to pay a nominal fee for each report. The 
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National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) (www.nicb.org) 

maintains a free database that includes flood damage and 

other information so you can investigate a car’s history by 

its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You also can search 

online for companies that sell vehicle history reports. If 

the report isn’t recent or you suspect that it has missing or 

fabricated information, verify it with the service. Some dealer 

websites have free links to reports directly from the services. 

Payment Options

You have two choices: pay in full or finance over time. Financing 

increases the total cost of the car because you’re also paying for 

the cost of credit, including interest and other loan costs. You also 

must consider how much you can put down, the monthly payment, 

the loan term, and the annual percentage rate (APR). Rates usually 

are higher and loan periods shorter on used cars than on new ones.

Dealers and lenders offer a variety of loan terms. Shop around, 

compare offers, and negotiate the best deal you can. If you’re a 

first-time buyer — or if your credit isn’t great — be cautious about 

special financing offers. They can require a big down payment and 

a high APR. If you agree to financing that carries a high APR, you 

may be taking a big risk. If you decide to sell the car before the 

loan expires, the amount you get from the sale may be far less than 

the amount you need to pay off the loan. If the car is repossessed or 

declared a total loss because of an accident, you may have to pay a 

considerable amount to repay the loan even after the proceeds from 

the sale of the car or the insurance payment have been deducted. 

If money is tight, you might consider paying cash for a less 

expensive car than you first had in mind.

If you decide to finance, make sure you understand the loan 

agreement before you sign any documents.

● What is the exact price you’re paying for the vehicle? 

● How much are you financing? 

● What is the finance charge (the dollar amount the credit will 

cost you)? 
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● What is the APR (a measure of the cost of credit, expressed 

as a yearly rate)? 

● How many payments will you be making — and how much 

is each one? 

● What is the total sales price — the sum of the monthly 

payments plus the down payment? 

Dealer Sales and the Buyers Guide

Used cars are sold through a variety of outlets: franchised and 

independent dealers, rental car companies, leasing companies, used 

car superstores, and online. Ask friends, relatives, and co-workers 

for recommendations. Contact your local consumer protection 

agency (www.usa.gov/directory/stateconsumer/index.shtml) 

and state Attorney General (www.naag.org) to find out if any 

unresolved 

complaints are 

on file about a 

particular dealer. 

You also can 

search online for 

complaints. Enter the name of the seller and the word “review” or 

“complaint” into a search engine.

Some dealers are attracting customers with “no-haggle prices,” 

“factory certified” used cars, and better warranties. Consider the 

dealer’s reputation when you evaluate their ads.

Dealers are not required by law to give used car buyers a threeday right to cancel. The right to return the car in a few days for 

a refund exists only if the dealer chooses to offer this privilege. 

Dealers may describe the right to cancel as a “cooling-off” period, 

a money-back guarantee, or a “no questions asked” return policy. 

Before you buy from a dealer, ask about the dealer’s return policy, 

get it in writing, and read it carefully.

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Used Car Rule requires 

dealers to post a Buyers Guide in every used car they offer for sale. 

This includes light-duty vans, light-duty trucks, demonstrators, 

The FTC’s Used Car Rule requires 

dealers to post a Buyers Guide in 

every used car they offer for sale. 
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and program cars. Demonstrators are new cars that haven’t been 

owned, leased, or used as rentals, but have been driven by dealer 

staff. Program cars are low-mileage, current-model-year vehicles 

returned from short-term leases or rentals. Buyers Guides do not 

have to be posted on motorcycles and 

most recreational vehicles. Anyone who 

sells fewer than six cars a year doesn’t 

have to post a Buyers Guide.

The Buyers Guide must tell you:

● whether the vehicle is being sold “as is” or with a warranty 

● what percentage of the repair costs a dealer will pay under 

the warranty 

● that spoken promises are difficult to enforce 

● to get all promises in writing 

● to keep the Buyers Guide for reference after the sale 

● the major mechanical and electrical systems on the car, 

including some of the major problems you should look out 

for 

● to ask to have the car inspected by an independent mechanic 

before you buy 

Maine and Wisconsin are exempt from the FTC’s Used Car Rule. 

Those states require dealers to display a different version of the 

Buyers Guide.

Dealer Identification and Consumer Complaint 

Information

The back of the Buyers Guide lists the name and address of the 

dealership. It also gives the name and telephone number of the 

contact at the dealership if you have problems or complaints after 

the sale.

Optional Signature Line

The dealer may include a buyer’s signature line at the bottom of 

the Buyers Guide. If the line is included, the following statement 

must be written or printed close to it: “I hereby acknowledge 

A sample of the 

Buyers Guide is on 

pages 14 - 16.
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receipt of the Buyers Guide at the closing of this sale.” Your 

signature means you received the Buyers Guide at closing. It 

does not mean that the dealer complied with the Rule’s other 

requirements, such as posting a Buyers Guide in all the vehicles 

offered for sale.

Spanish Language Sales

If you buy a used car and the sales discussion is conducted in 

Spanish, you are entitled to see and keep a Spanish-language 

version of the Buyers Guide.

Warranties

When you buy a used car from a dealer, get the original or a copy 

of the final Buyers Guide that was posted in the vehicle. The Guide 

must reflect any negotiated changes in warranty coverage. It also 

becomes part of your sales contract and overrides any contrary 

provisions. For example, if the Buyers Guide says the car comes 

with a warranty and the contract says the car is sold “as is,” the 

dealer must give you the warranty described in the Guide.

As Is - No Warranty

When the dealer offers a vehicle “as is,” the box next to the 

“As Is - No Warranty” disclosure on the Buyers Guide must be 

checked. If the box is checked but the dealer promises to repair 

the vehicle or cancel the sale if you’re not satisfied, make sure 

the promise is written on the Buyers Guide. Otherwise, you may 

have a hard time getting the dealer to make good on his word. 

Some states — Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, 

New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and the District 

of Columbia — don’t allow “as is” sales for many used vehicles.

Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Washington require different 

disclosures from those on the Buyers Guide to create a valid “as is” 

sale. If the dealer fails to provide proper state disclosures, the sale 
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is not “as is.” To find out what disclosures are required for “as is” 

sales in your state, contact your state Attorney General.

Implied Warranties

State laws hold dealers responsible if cars they sell don’t meet 

reasonable quality standards. These obligations are called implied 

warranties — unspoken, unwritten promises from the seller to 

the buyer. However, dealers in most states can use the words “as 

is” or “with all faults” in a written notice to buyers to eliminate 

implied warranties. There is no specified time period for implied 

warranties.

Warranty of Merchantability

The most common type of implied warranty is the warranty of 

merchantability: The seller promises that the product offered for 

sale will do what it’s supposed to. That a car will run is an example 

of a warranty of merchantability. This promise applies to the 

basic functions of a car. It does not cover everything that could go 

wrong.

Breakdowns and other problems after the sale don’t prove the 

seller breached the warranty of merchantability. A breach occurs 

only if the buyer can prove that a defect existed at the time of sale. 

A problem that occurs after the sale may be the result of a defect 

that existed at the time of sale or not. As a result, a dealer’s liability 

is judged case by case.

Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose

A warranty of fitness for a particular purpose applies when you 

buy a vehicle based on the dealer’s advice that it is suitable for 

a particular use. For example, a dealer who suggests you buy a 

specific vehicle for hauling a trailer is promising that the vehicle 

will be suitable for that purpose.

If you have a written warranty that doesn’t cover your problems, 

you still may have coverage through implied warranties. That’s 

because when a dealer sells a vehicle with a written warranty or 
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service contract, implied warranties are included automatically. 

The dealer can’t delete this protection. Any limit on an implied 

warranty’s time must be included on the written warranty.

In states that don’t allow “as is” sales, an “Implied Warranties 

Only” disclosure is printed on the Buyers Guide in place of the “As 

Is” disclosure. The box beside this disclosure will be checked if the 

dealer decides to sell the car with no written warranty.

In states that do allow “as is” sales, the “Implied Warranties Only” 

disclosure should appear on the Buyers Guide if the dealer decides 

to sell a vehicle with implied warranties and no written warranty.

Dealers who offer a written warranty must complete the warranty 

section of the Buyers Guide. Because terms and conditions vary, it 

may be useful to compare and to negotiate coverage.

Dealers may offer a full or limited warranty on all or some of a 

vehicle’s systems or components. Most used car warranties are 

limited and their coverage varies. A full warranty includes the 

following terms and conditions:

● Anyone who owns the vehicle during the warranty period is 

entitled to warranty service. 

● Warranty service will be provided free of charge, including 

removing and reinstalling a covered system. 

● You have the choice of a replacement or a full refund if the 

dealer can’t repair the vehicle or covered system after a 

reasonable number of tries. 

● You only have to tell the dealer that warranty service 

is needed to get it, unless the dealer can prove that it is 

reasonable to require you to do more. 

● Implied warranties have no time limits. 

If any of these statements don’t apply, the warranty is limited.

A full or limited warranty doesn’t have to cover the entire vehicle. 

The dealer may specify that only certain systems are covered. 

Some parts or systems may be covered by a full warranty; others 

by a limited warranty.
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The dealer must check the 

appropriate box on the Buyers 

Guide to indicate whether the 

warranty is full or limited, and must 

include the following information 

in the “Warranty” section:

● the percentage of the repair cost that the dealer will pay. For 

example, “the dealer will pay 100 percent of the labor and 

100 percent of the parts . . .”; 

● the specific parts and systems — such as the frame, body, 

or brake system — that are covered by the warranty. The 

back of the Buyers Guide lists the major systems in which 

problems may occur; 

● the warranty term for each covered system. For example, “30 

days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first”; and 

● whether there’s a deductible and, if so, how much. 

You have the right to see a copy of the dealer’s warranty before 

you buy. Review it carefully to determine what is covered. The 

warranty gives detailed information, such as how to get repairs for 

a covered system or part. It also tells who is legally responsible 

for fulfilling the terms of the warranty. If it’s a third party, 

investigate their reputation and whether they’re insured. Find out 

the name of the insurer, and call to verify the information. Look 

up reviews online. Then check out the third-party company with 

your consumer protection agency. Make sure you get a copy of the 

dealer’s warranty document if you buy a car that is offered with a 

warranty.

Unexpired Manufacturer’s Warranties

If the manufacturer’s warranty still is in effect, the dealer may 

note that in the “systems covered/duration” section of the Buyers 

Guide. To make sure you can take advantage of the coverage, ask 

the dealer for the car’s warranty documents. Verify the information 

(what’s covered, expiration date/miles, and necessary paperwork) 

by calling the manufacturer’s zone office. Make sure you have the 

VIN when you call.

You have the right to see 

a copy of the dealer’s 

warranty before you buy.
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Service Contracts

A service contract is a promise to perform (or pay for) certain 

repairs or services. Although a service contract is sometimes called 

an extended warranty, it is not a warranty as defined by federal 

law. A service contract may be arranged any time and always 

costs extra; a warranty comes with a new car and is included in 

the original price. Used cars also may come with some type of 

warranty coverage included in the sales price. The separate and 

additional cost distinguishes a service contract from a warranty.

To decide if you need a service contract, consider:

● whether the service contract duplicates warranty coverage or 

offers protection that begins after the warranty runs out. Does 

the service contract extend beyond the time you expect to 

own the car? If so, is the service contract transferable or is a 

shorter contract available?

● whether the vehicle is likely to need repairs and how much 

they’re going to cost. You can determine the value of a 

service contract by figuring whether the cost of repairs is 

likely to exceed the price of the contract. 

● whether the service contract covers all parts and systems. 

Check out all claims carefully. For example, “bumper to 

bumper” coverage may not mean what you think. 

● whether a deductible is required and, if so, the amount and 

terms. 

● whether the contract covers incidental expenses, like towing 

and rental car charges while your car is being serviced. 

● whether repairs and routine maintenance have to be done at 

the dealer. 

● whether there’s a cancellation and refund policy for the 

service contract, and if it has cancellation fees. 

● whether the dealer or company offering the service contract 

is reputable. Read the contract carefully to determine who 

is legally responsible for fulfilling the terms of the contract. 

Some dealers sell third-party service contracts. 
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The dealer must check the appropriate box on the Buyers Guide 

if a service contract is offered, except in states where service 

contracts are regulated by insurance laws. If the Guide doesn’t 

include a service contract reference and you’re interested in buying 

one, ask the salesperson for more information.

If you buy a service contract from the dealer within 90 days 

of buying a used vehicle, federal law prohibits the dealer from 

eliminating implied warranties on the systems covered in the 

contract. For example, if you buy a car “as is,” the car normally 

is not covered by implied warranties. But if you buy a service 

contract covering the engine, you automatically get implied 

warranties on the engine. These may give you protection beyond 

the scope of the service contract. Make sure you get written 

confirmation that your service contract is in effect.

Pre-Purchase Independent Inspection

It’s best to have any used car inspected by an independent 

mechanic before you buy it. For about $100, you’ll get a general 

indication of the mechanical condition of the vehicle. An 

inspection is a good idea even if the car has been “certified” and 

inspected by the dealer 

and is being sold with 

a warranty or service 

contract. A mechanical 

inspection is different from 

a safety inspection. Safety 

inspections usually focus on conditions that make a car unsafe to 

drive. They are not designed to determine the overall reliability or 

mechanical condition of a vehicle.

To find a pre-purchase inspection facility, check the phone book 

under “Automotive Diagnostic Service,” go online, or ask friends, 

relatives, and co-workers for referrals. Look for facilities that 

display certifications like an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) 

seal. Certification indicates that some or all the technicians meet 

basic standards of knowledge and competence in specific technical 

It’s best to have any used car 

inspected by an independent 

mechanic before you buy it.
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areas. Make sure the certifications are current, but remember that 

certification alone is no guarantee of good or honest work. Ask to 

see current licenses if state or local law requires them. Check with 

your state Attorney General’s office or local consumer protection 

agency to find out whether there’s a record of complaints about 

particular facilities. Or search online for comments.

There are no standard operating procedures for pre-purchase 

inspections. Ask what the inspection includes, how long it takes, 

and how much it costs. Get this information in writing.

If the dealer won’t let you take the car off the lot, perhaps because 

of insurance restrictions, you may be able to find a mobile 

inspection service that will go to the dealer. If that’s not an option, 

ask the dealer to have the car inspected at a facility you designate. 

You will have to pay the inspection fee. If a dealer won’t allow an 

independent inspection, you might want to consider doing business 

elsewhere.

Once the vehicle has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a 

written report with a cost estimate for all necessary repairs. Be 

sure the report includes the vehicle’s make, model, and VIN. If 

you decide to make a purchase offer to the dealer after considering 

the inspection’s results, you can use the estimated repair costs to 

negotiate the price of the vehicle.

Vehicle Systems

The Buyers Guide lists an automobile’s 14 major systems and 

some serious problems that may occur in each. This list may help 

you and your mechanic evaluate the mechanical condition of the 

vehicle. The list also may help you compare warranties on different 

cars or by different dealers.
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Private Sales

Buying a car from a private individual is different from buying 

from a dealer.

● Private sellers generally are not covered by the Used Car 

Rule and don’t have to use the Buyers Guide. However, you 

can use the Guide’s list of an automobile’s major systems as a 

shopping tool, and you can ask the seller if you can have the 

vehicle inspected by your mechanic. 

● Private sales usually are not covered 

by the “implied warranties” of 

state law. That means a private sale 

probably will be on an “as is” basis, 

unless your purchase agreement 

with the seller specifically states otherwise. If you have 

a written contract, the seller must live up to the promises 

stated in the contract. The car also may be covered by a 

manufacturer’s warranty or a separately purchased service 

contract. However, warranties and service contracts may 

not be transferable, and other limits or costs may apply. 

Before you buy the car, ask to review its warranty or service 

contract. Many states do not require individuals to ensure 

that their vehicles will pass state inspection or carry a 

minimum warranty before they offer them for sale. Ask your 

state Attorney General’s office or local consumer protection 

agency about the requirements in your state. 

If You Have Problems

If you have a problem that you think is covered by a warranty or 

service contract, follow the instructions to get service. If a dispute 

arises, try to work it out with the dealer. Talk with the salesperson 

or, if necessary, the owner of the dealership. Many problems can 

be resolved at this level. However, if you believe you’re entitled to 

service, but the dealer disagrees, you have some options:

... a private sale 

probably will be on 

an “as is” basis ...
13

● If your warranty is backed by a car manufacturer, contact 

the local representative of the manufacturer. The local or 

zone representative is authorized to adjust and decide issues 

of warranty service and repairs to satisfy customers. Some 

manufacturers also are willing to repair certain problems in 

specific models for free, even if the manufacturer’s warranty 

does not cover the problem. Ask the manufacturer’s zone 

representative or the service department of a franchised 

dealership that sells your car model whether there is such a 

policy. 

● Contact your state Attorney General (www.naag.org) or 

the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators 

(www.aamva.org). You also might consider using a dispute 

resolution organization if you and the dealer are willing. 

Under the terms of many warranties, this may be a required 

first step before you can sue the dealer or manufacturer. 

Check your warranty to see if this is the case. If you bought 

your car from a franchised dealer, you may be able to seek 

mediation through the Automotive Consumer Action Program 

(AUTOCAP), a dispute resolution program coordinated 

nationally by the National Automobile Dealers Association 

(www.nada.org) and sponsored through state and local dealer 

associations in many cities. Check with the dealer association 

in your area to see if they operate a mediation program. 

If none of these steps is successful, small claims court is an option. 

Here, you can resolve disputes involving small amounts of money, 

often without an attorney. The clerk of your local small claims 

court can tell you how to file a suit and the dollar limit in your 

state.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act also may be helpful. Under this 

federal law, you can sue based on breach of express warranties, 

implied warranties, or service contracts. If successful, consumers 

can recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and other court costs. A 

lawyer can advise you if this law applies.
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BUYERS GUIDE

DEALER STOCK NUMBER (Optional)

WARRANTIES FOR THIS VEHICLE:

AS IS - NO WARRANTY

WARRANTY

IMPORTANT: Spoken promises are difficult to enforce. Ask the dealer to put all promises in 

writing. Keep this form.

VEHICLE MAKE MODEL YEAR VIN NUMBER

YOU WILL PAY ALL COSTS FOR ANY REPAIRS. The dealer assumes no responsibility for any 

repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.

FULL LIMITED WARRANTY. The dealer will pay ____% of the labor and ____% of the 

parts for the coveredsystems that fail during the warranty period. Ask the 

dealer for a copy of the warranty document for a full explanation of warranty 

coverage, exclusions, and the dealer’s repair obligations. Under state law, 

“implied warranties” may give you even more rights.

SYSTEMS COVERED: DURATION:

SERVICE CONTRACT. A service contract is available at an extra charge on this vehicle. 

Ask for details as to coverage, deductible, price, and exclusions. If you buy a service 

contract within 90 days of the time of sale, state law “implied warranties” may give you addi- tional rights.

PRE PURCHASE INSPECTION: ASK THE DEALER IF YOU MAY HAVE THIS VEHICLE 

INSPECTED BY YOUR MECHANIC EITHER ON OR OFF THE LOT.

SEE THE BACK OF THIS FORM for important additional information, including a list of some 

major defects that may occur in used motor vehicles.

Sample Buyers Guide

Actual Buyers Guide is at least 7.5” x 10”

Front Side of Buyers Guide
15

IMPLIED WARRANTIES ONLY

BUYERS GUIDE

DEALER STOCK NUMBER (Optional)

WARRANTIES FOR THIS VEHICLE:

IMPORTANT: Spoken promises are difficult to enforce. Ask the dealer to put all promises in 

writing. Keep this form.

VEHICLE MAKE MODEL YEAR VIN NUMBER

WARRANTY

FULL LIMITED WARRANTY. The dealer will pay ____% of the labor and ____% of the 

parts for the coveredsystems that fail during the warranty period. Ask the 

dealer for a copy of the warranty document for a full explanation of warranty 

coverage, exclusions, and the dealer’s repair obligations. Under state law, 

“implied warranties” may give you even more rights.

SYSTEMS COVERED: DURATION:

SERVICE CONTRACT. A service contract is available at an extra charge on this vehicle. 

Ask for details as to coverage, deductible, price, and exclusions. If you buy a service 

contract within 90 days of the time of sale, state law “implied warranties” may give you addi- tional rights.

PRE PURCHASE INSPECTION: ASK THE DEALER IF YOU MAY HAVE THIS VEHICLE 

INSPECTED BY YOUR MECHANIC EITHER ON OR OFF THE LOT.

SEE THE BACK OF THIS FORM for important additional information, including a list of some 

major defects that may occur in used motor vehicles.

This means that the dealer does not make any specific promises to fix things that need repair

when you buy the vehicle or after the time of sale. But, state law “implied warranties” may

give you some rights to have the dealer take care of serious problems that were not apparent

when you bought the vehicle.

This Buyers Guide, with the paragraph about “Implied Warranties Only,” 

should be used in states that do not allow “As Is” sales. (See page 5)
16

Below is a list of some major defects that may occur in used motor vehicles.

DEALER

ADDRESS

SEE FOR COMPLAINTS

IMPORTANT: The information on this form is part of any contract to buy this vehicle. 

Removal of this label before consumer purchase (except for purpose of test-driving) is a violation of federal law (16 C.F.R. 455).

Frame & Body

Frame-cracks, corrective welds, or rusted through

Dog tracks—bent or twisted frame

Engine

Oil leakage, excluding normal seepage

Cracked block or head

Belts missing or inoperable

Knocks or misses related to camshaft lifters and push rods

Abnormal exhaust discharge

Transmission & Drive Shaft

Improper fluid level or leakage, excluding normal seepage

Cracked or damaged case which is visible

Abnormal noise or vibration caused by faulty transmission or drive

shaft

Improper shifting or functioning in any gear

Manual clutch slips or chatters

Differential

Improper fluid level or leakage excluding normal seepage

Cracked of damaged housing which is visible

Abnormal noise or vibration caused by 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 under pressure (DOT spec.)

Not enough pedal reserve (DOT spec.)

Does not stop vehicle in straight line (DOT spec.)

Hoses damaged

Drum or rotor too thin (Mfgr. Specs)

Lining or pad thickness less than 1/32 inch

Power unit not operating or leaking

Structural or mechanical parts damaged

Steering System

Too much free play at steering wheel (DOT specs.)

Free play in linkage more than 1/4 inch

Steering gear binds or jams

Front wheels aligned improperly (DOT specs.)

Power unit belts cracked or slipping

Power unit fluid level improper

Suspension System

Ball joint seals damaged

Structural parts bent or damaged

Stabilizer bar disconnected

Spring broken

Shock absorber mounting loose

Rubber bushings damaged or missing

Radius rod damaged or missing

Shock absorber leaking or functioning improperly

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

The back of the Buyers Guide alerts you to 

problems that may occur in used vehicles.
The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair 

business practices in the marketplace and to provide information 

to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or 

get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call tollfree, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. 

Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn 

more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer 

Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool 

used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies 

in the U.S. and abroad. 
Federal Trade Commission

ftc.gov

July 2012

SOLD