Washington state law protects consumers from dealers that sell defective vehicles. Even with an “As-Is” sticker, a car must be safe and is covered under an implied warranty.
Washington state law provides a guarantee that any used car purchased from a dealer is safe to drive. Dealers are bound by an “implied warranty of merchantability” that lasts for a reasonable amount of time depending on the car's mileage and age.
A Buyer’s Guide sticker on a vehicle that states “As-Is” does not cancel out the implied warranty.
The only defects not covered by Washington's implied vehicle warranty are those specifically negotiated between the buyer and the dealer.
A signed waiver to the implied warranty is valid only if the dealer explains the “As-Is” terms in detail and you agree to the terms. The parts of the car that aren’t covered by the implied warranty must be listed in writing on the waiver.
If you buy a car from a private individual, the sale truly becomes “As-Is.” The “implied warranty of merchantability” does not apply to private sales.
