Do Used Car Dealers Have to Give a Warranty in California?

Q: Do used car dealers have to give a warranty in California?

Usually not. Dealers can sell as-is with a properly completed FTC Buyers Guide. Exceptions include buy-here-pay-here dealers, which must give at least 30 days or 1,000 miles, and dealers that give an express warranty or sell a service contract within 90 days.

Usually not. Most California dealers can sell a used car "as is," as long as the FTC Buyers Guide on the car says so and the sale is properly disclosed. There are important exceptions. Buy-here-pay-here dealers must give a warranty of at least 30 days or 1,000 miles (Civil Code §1795.51). A dealer that gives any express warranty also takes on California's implied warranty for 30 days to three months (Civil Code §1795.5). And a dealer that sells a service contract within 90 days of the sale can't disclaim implied warranties on the covered systems.

Educational information only. This article is not legal advice.

The rules at a glance

Situation	Warranty duty	Source
Ordinary used car sale, marked "As Is – No Dealer Warranty" on the Buyers Guide	None required	FTC Used Car Rule (16 CFR Part 455)
Dealer gives an express warranty	Dealer must honor it and maintain repair capability in California; implied warranties last as long as the express warranty, at least 30 days and at most three months	Civil Code §1795.5
Dealer sells a service contract within 90 days	Can't disclaim implied warranties on covered systems	FTC; Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
Buy-here-pay-here sale	At least 30 days or 1,000 miles, covering 14 component groups	Civil Code §1795.51
Lemon Law	Only if the manufacturer's new-car warranty applies	Song-Beverly Act. See How long is the California Lemon Law good for?

The Buyers Guide

Every used car offered for sale needs a Buyers Guide displayed on it.
It states whether the car is sold as-is or with a warranty, and what share of repairs a warranty covers.
The Buyers Guide overrides the sales contract if they conflict.
Write any verbal promise on it, or don't make the promise.

Buy-here-pay-here warranty

BHPH dealers, defined in VC §241, must give a written warranty of at least 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first, covering 14 listed component groups. See What does buy here pay here mean?

Certified used cars

Cars advertised as "certified" must meet California's requirements, including a complete inspection and a copy of the inspection report for the buyer (California Attorney General). Don't use the word unless you meet them.

From experience (Garrett Eddings, professional opinion): As-is is legal, but it isn't a shield against misrepresentation. If you know about a problem, disclose it in writing. A short dealer warranty can also be a real selling point on cars you trust.

Frequently asked questions

Can a used car dealer sell a car as-is in California?

Yes, with a properly completed FTC Buyers Guide marked "As Is – No Dealer Warranty," unless an exception like the buy-here-pay-here warranty applies.

How long is the implied warranty on a used car in California?

When a dealer gives an express warranty, implied warranties last as long as that warranty, but not less than 30 days or more than three months.

Do buy-here-pay-here dealers have to give a warranty?

Yes. At least 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first, under Civil Code §1795.51.

Next step: Dealer compliance guide

Resources

Sources: FTC Used Car Rule and consumer guidance · Civil Code §§1795.5 and 1795.51 · Vehicle Code §241 · California Attorney General consumer guide. Verified 2026-10-16.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Warranty law is technical; consult a licensed California attorney for your situation. The instructor note reflects one instructor's professional opinion.