The FTC recently approved a round of final changes to the Used Car Rule that all used car dealers should be aware of and familiar with. This rule, formerly known as the Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule says that all car dealers must have a window sticker on any used car offered for sale.

This sticker, also referred to as a Buyers Guide, lets the consumer know if the dealership is offering the vehicle for sale with a warranty or without a warranty. If the car is offered with a warranty, the sticker (or Buyers Guide) will disclose the terms and conditions of that warranty.

Here are the revisions to the Buyers Guide as announced by the FTC:

• Additional boxes that the dealer can check if there is a service contract available on the vehicle or if it is covered by a third-party warranty
• Additions to the list of major defects that may occur in used vehicles including catalytic converters and air bags
• New statements directing consumers to check safercar.gov for open safety recalls and visit ftc.gov/usedcars for instructions about getting a used vehicle report
• Additional box that the dealer can check to let the consumer know that there is an unexpired manufacturer’s warranty on the vehicle
• Changes to the “As Is” sale description
• A statement in Spanish that lets Spanish-speaking consumers know that they can ask for the Buyers Guide in Spanish if the dealer conducts business in that language and Spanish translation of the consumer’s acknowledgment of receipt of the Buyers Guide

Dealers can obtain more information about the FTC’s changes to the Buyers Guide at the FTC’s website. All car dealers are required to comply with the FTC’s rules regarding the use and display of Buyers Guides.

Up-to-date Federal Regulations pertaining to car dealers’ use of the Buyers Guide can be found in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations online under Part 455-Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule.

Instructions about how to prepare and display the Buyers Guide can be found here.