Public Motors

Under the Federal Trade Commission's Used Car Rule all sellers of used cars (except private owners) are required to place a ""Buyers Guide"" sticker in the window of their used cars light-duty vans and light-duty trucks. This Buyers Guide tells you whether the vehicle comes with a warranty and if so which systems are covered for how long and what percent of repair costs the dealer will pay. The Buyers Guide should also alert you when a car is being sold with implied warranties only or with no warranty at all (""as is""). In California if the car does not come with a written warranty but is also not sold ""as is "" it is covered by an implied warranty.~~Implied Warranties"" disclosures must be checked on the Buyers Guide. Under an implied warranty the dealer does not promise to make repairs needed at the time of purchase or afterward but an implied warranty may give you some rights for repairs of serious problems that were not apparent when you bought the vehicle. An implied warranty may be one of two kinds both of which are unspoken and unwritten and are based on the principle that the seller stands behind the product.~With an implied warranty of ""merchantability "" the seller promises that the product will do what it is supposed to do. That is the car will run. If it doesn't the dealer must repair it so that the buyer gets a working car.~~Although you are not getting a warranty at all when you buy a vehicle ""as is "" you can expect the vehicle you buy to be sold to you in a safe condition. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles all safety items must be working at the time you take delivery of the vehicle. This includes lights (headlights tail lights brake lights turn signals and backup lights). Also all lenses must be intact and not broken front and back seat belts must be installed and working properly. Your windshield may not be cracked and your windshield wipers and horn must work. The muffler and left side mirror must also be intact and you must be given a smog certificate at the time of delivery. Although these safety items have to be in working order at the time of purchase there is no written policy as to exactly when that requirement expires. Usually if you have a problem with a safety item within the first week after your purchase you can expect the dealer to make the needed repairs. But after that you're on your own.