By now, you probably have heard something about the recent changes regarding used car labels. Whether you call them as-is stickers, FTC Stickers, Buyers Guides or window stickers, it’s important to make sure you have the compliant labels on your used car inventory. Mistakes can be costly, so here is what you need to know about the new requirements.
For customers using our used car window sticker service, we will be deploying the updated buyer’s guide format this week to keep our customers compliant. Keep in mind, while the new rules took effect in January, they included a provision to allow dealers to use remaining buyers guides stock for up to a year. For that reason, there is no need to change out labels in existing vehicles.
Below are examples of the new label compared to the old label as well as a summary from the FTC.gov website to inform you of the important changes to the new law. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Summary from FTC.gov:
The Federal Trade Commission has announced final amendments to its Used Car Rule.
The FTC has sought public comments on a series of proposed changes to the Rule (formally known as the Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule), which requires car dealers to display a window sticker, or “Buyers Guide,” on used cars offered for sale. The Guide discloses whether the dealer is offering to sell a used car “as is” (without a warranty), or with a warranty. If the sale is with a warranty, the Guide discloses the terms and conditions, including the duration of coverage, the percentage of total repair costs the dealer will pay, and the vehicle systems the warranty covers. In states that do not permit “as is” used car sales, dealers must use an alternative Guide that discloses whether the sale is with a warranty or with implied warranties only.
In December 2012, the FTC sought public comments on proposed changes to the Buyers Guide as part of its systematic review of all of the agency’s rules and guides. In response to comments received, the agency sought comments on additional proposed changes to the Used Car Rule and invited comments on alternative approaches that public commenters proposed for the vehicle history disclosure and the “As Is” statement.
As announced today, the Commission is revising the Buyers Guide by:
- changing the description of an “As Is” sale;
- placing boxes on the face of the Buyers Guide that dealers can check to indicate whether a vehicle is covered by a third-party warranty and whether a service contract may be available;
- providing a box that dealers can check to indicate that an unexpired manufacturer’s warranty applies;
- adding air bags and catalytic converters to the Buyers Guide’s list of major defects that may occur in used vehicles;
- adding a statement that directs consumers to obtain a vehicle history report and to check for open recalls. The statement also instructs consumers to:
- visit ftc.gov/usedcars for information on how to obtain a vehicle history report; and
- visit safercar.gov to check for open safety recalls;
- adding a statement, in Spanish, to the English-language Buyers Guide, advising Spanish-speaking consumers to ask for the Buyers Guide in Spanish if the dealer is conducting the sale in Spanish; and
- providing a Spanish translation of the statement that dealers may use to obtain a consumer’s acknowledgement of receipt of the Buyers Guide.
The amended Rule permits dealers to use their remaining stock of Buyers Guides for one year after the effective date of the amended Rule.
For more information about the Used Car Rule, read Buying a Used Car. For used car dealers, the FTC offers A Dealer’s Guide to the Used Car Rule. “Fillable” versions of the Buyers Guide in English and Spanish are available at FTC.gov.
The Commission vote to publish the Notice of Final Rule in the Federal Register was 3-0.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook(link is external), follow us on Twitter(link is external), read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
CONTACT INFORMATION
MEDIA CONTACT:
Frank Dorman
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2674
STAFF CONTACT:
John C. Hallerud
FTC’s Midwest Region
312-960-5634
Sample Buyers Guides Side by Side
OLD BUYERS GUIDE
NEW 2017 BUYERS GUIDE
