What is an as-is bill of sale?

An as-is bill of sale is a regular bill of sale with an added clause stating the item is sold in its present condition, with all faults, and with no warranty of any kind. It records the transaction (item, price, date, buyer, and seller) and makes clear the buyer accepts the item exactly as it is — the seller is not promising it will work or stay problem-free after the sale.

Does "as-is" protect the seller?

For a private-party sale, yes — largely. Under the Uniform Commercial Code (§2-316), a clear "as is" or "with all faults" statement disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness, so the buyer cannot later demand a refund or repairs just because the item breaks down. It does NOT protect a seller who commits actual fraud — lying about a known defect, rolling back an odometer, or hiding a salvage history is still illegal regardless of an as-is clause.

Is a private car sale automatically as-is?

In most states a private-party vehicle sale is as-is by default — private sellers generally are not covered by used-car warranty laws, which apply to dealers. But "by default" is not the same as "documented." Putting an explicit as-is clause in the bill of sale, signed by the buyer, removes the argument later and is your cleanest proof the buyer accepted the condition.

Can a dealer sell a car as-is?

Sometimes, but with limits. Dealers must display an FTC Buyers Guide on used cars showing whether the sale is "As Is – No Dealer Warranty" or comes with a warranty. Several states (for example, some sales in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and others) restrict or prohibit as-is sales by dealers on certain vehicles, and a manufacturer or extended warranty can still apply. This page is written for private-party sellers; dealers should confirm their state and FTC obligations.

What should an as-is bill of sale include?

The same core fields as any bill of sale — item description (year, make, model, VIN/HIN/serial), sale price, sale date, and the full names and addresses of buyer and seller — plus an explicit as-is clause and both signatures. Strong wording is something like: "The [item] is sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS, with all faults and without any warranty, express or implied. The buyer has inspected the [item] and accepts it in its current condition."

Do both parties need to sign an as-is bill of sale?

Yes. The seller signs to transfer ownership and the buyer signs to acknowledge they accept the item as-is. The buyer’s signature directly under the as-is clause is what makes it enforceable — it shows the buyer read and agreed to take the item in its current condition. Keep a signed copy each; some states also want it notarized for a title transfer.

As-Is Bill of Sale

An as-is bill of sale sells an item in its current condition, with all faults and no warranty — so the buyer can’t come back for a refund or repairs after the sale. It’s the standard way to sell a used car, boat, or RV privately. Generate one with the as-is clause already built in, ready to print and sign.

Create an As-Is Bill of Sale

What “as-is” actually means

“As-is” (often written “as-is, where-is, with all faults”) means the buyer takes the item in exactly the condition it’s in at the moment of sale. Under the Uniform Commercial Code (§2-316), a clear as-is statement disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness — the unwritten promises that normally come with a sale. Once the buyer signs, they can’t demand you fix a problem that shows up next week.

What as-is does not do is license fraud. If you lie about a known defect, roll back an odometer, or hide a branded/salvage title, you can still be liable no matter what the bill of sale says. As-is protects an honest seller from the ordinary risk that a used item later needs repairs — it does not cover misrepresentation.

The clause that does the work

“The [vehicle/item] is sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS, with all faults and without any warranty, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The buyer has inspected the [vehicle/item], or waived the right to do so, and accepts it in its present condition.”

The single most important detail: the buyer signs directly beneath this clause. That signature is your proof they read it and accepted the condition — it’s what makes the disclaimer hold up.

Private sellers vs. dealers

Private-party sales are as-is by default in most states — used-car warranty laws generally apply to dealers, not to a neighbor selling their car. Making it explicit still matters: a signed as-is clause removes the argument entirely. Dealers are different — the FTC requires a Buyers Guide showing “As Is – No Dealer Warranty” or a warranty, and some states limit dealer as-is sales. This page is written for private-party sellers.

How to write an as-is bill of sale

Describe the item precisely: year, make, model, and the VIN (vehicles), HIN (boats), or serial number, plus mileage/hours and color.
Enter the sale price and the sale date — the price is what the state uses to assess the buyer’s use tax.
Add the full legal names and addresses of both the buyer and the seller.
Include an explicit as-is clause: the item is sold as-is, where-is, with all faults, and with no warranty express or implied, and the buyer has inspected and accepts the current condition.
Both parties sign and date. Have the buyer sign directly under the as-is clause so acceptance of the condition is unmistakable.
Notarize if your state requires it for the title transfer, and give each party a signed copy to keep.

Frequently asked questions

What is an as-is bill of sale?: An as-is bill of sale is a regular bill of sale with an added clause stating the item is sold in its present condition, with all faults, and with no warranty of any kind. It records the transaction (item, price, date, buyer, and seller) and makes clear the buyer accepts the item exactly as it is — the seller is not promising it will work or stay problem-free after the sale.
Does "as-is" protect the seller?: For a private-party sale, yes — largely. Under the Uniform Commercial Code (§2-316), a clear "as is" or "with all faults" statement disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness, so the buyer cannot later demand a refund or repairs just because the item breaks down. It does NOT protect a seller who commits actual fraud — lying about a known defect, rolling back an odometer, or hiding a salvage history is still illegal regardless of an as-is clause.
Is a private car sale automatically as-is?: In most states a private-party vehicle sale is as-is by default — private sellers generally are not covered by used-car warranty laws, which apply to dealers. But "by default" is not the same as "documented." Putting an explicit as-is clause in the bill of sale, signed by the buyer, removes the argument later and is your cleanest proof the buyer accepted the condition.
Can a dealer sell a car as-is?: Sometimes, but with limits. Dealers must display an FTC Buyers Guide on used cars showing whether the sale is "As Is – No Dealer Warranty" or comes with a warranty. Several states (for example, some sales in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and others) restrict or prohibit as-is sales by dealers on certain vehicles, and a manufacturer or extended warranty can still apply. This page is written for private-party sellers; dealers should confirm their state and FTC obligations.
What should an as-is bill of sale include?: The same core fields as any bill of sale — item description (year, make, model, VIN/HIN/serial), sale price, sale date, and the full names and addresses of buyer and seller — plus an explicit as-is clause and both signatures. Strong wording is something like: "The [item] is sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS, with all faults and without any warranty, express or implied. The buyer has inspected the [item] and accepts it in its current condition."
Do both parties need to sign an as-is bill of sale?: Yes. The seller signs to transfer ownership and the buyer signs to acknowledge they accept the item as-is. The buyer’s signature directly under the as-is clause is what makes it enforceable — it shows the buyer read and agreed to take the item in its current condition. Keep a signed copy each; some states also want it notarized for a title transfer.

Related guides

Create Your As-Is Bill of Sale

General information, not legal advice. As-is rules for dealers vary by state and under FTC regulations — confirm your obligations if you are selling as a dealer.