Pennsylvania As-Is Sale Guide
Selling a RV As-Is in Pennsylvania
What "as-is" actually means under Pennsylvania law, what it covers, what it doesn't, and the exact bill of sale language that protects you after the sale.
"As-is" DOES protect you from
- Defects you genuinely did not know about
- Implied warranty of merchantability claims
- Implied warranty of fitness claims
- Post-sale buyer's remorse claims
- Future wear and mechanical failures
"As-is" does NOT protect you from
- Defects you knew about and concealed
- False statements you made about the vehicle
- Odometer fraud
- Concealed salvage or rebuilt title
- Fraud claims under state consumer law
Pennsylvania law on as-is vehicle sales
Pennsylvania UCC 13-2316 permits "as-is" sales. The disclaimer must be conspicuous and in writing to effectively disclaim implied warranties.
UTPCPL applies to deceptive conduct in trade or commerce. Courts have found private sellers liable under UTPCPL when they made affirmative misrepresentations about vehicle condition.
As-is bill of sale language for Pennsylvania
Your bill of sale must include both a conspicuous as-is clause AND a list of known defects:
VEHICLE SOLD AS-IS / NO WARRANTY
This vehicle is sold in AS-IS condition. Seller makes no warranties, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition.
Known defects disclosed by seller:
[ list all known issues here — or state "None known" ]
Buyer acknowledges receipt of this disclosure and agrees to hold seller harmless for defects not listed above that were unknown to seller at time of sale.
Consult a local attorney if you have specific legal concerns about your transaction.
Always disclose these — even in as-is sales
- Known safety defects: brakes, steering, tires, lights
- Engine or transmission failures you are aware of
- Salvage, rebuilt, or flood title history
- Structural damage or frame issues
- Odometer discrepancies or rollback you know of
- Open safety recalls (check free at nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- Prior accident damage not reflected in Carfax
How to complete an as-is rv sale in Pennsylvania
Document everything you know
Before listing, write down every mechanical issue, cosmetic defect, and accident or repair history you are aware of. This list becomes your disclosure section in the bill of sale. The more thorough it is, the better protected you are.
Include as-is language and the disclosure list in the bill of sale
Use explicit as-is language (see template above). Attach or include your known-defects list in the same document. Both parties sign the same copy — do not use separate documents that could be lost.
Allow the buyer to inspect and test-drive
Never discourage an inspection. A buyer who inspected and still bought has far weaker claims. If the buyer wants a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) by a mechanic, allow it — hidden defects found during PPI remove your liability; defects found post-sale create it.
Complete the title and Pennsylvania transfer
Sign the back of the title, record the odometer and sale price. File a release of liability with the Pennsylvania DMV at https://www.dmv.pa.gov the same day. Remove your plates and cancel insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Does "as-is" mean I don't have to disclose anything when selling a rv in Pennsylvania?
No. "As-is" under Pennsylvania law (UCC Article 2) disclaims implied warranties — it means the buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition and waives claims for defects that were not known at time of sale. It does not allow you to conceal defects you already knew about. Pennsylvania common law fraud and the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL) require sellers to disclose known material defects not discoverable by a reasonable inspection. "As-is" is not a shield for deliberate concealment.
What should I include in an "as-is" bill of sale for Pennsylvania?
Include these elements: (1) "THIS VEHICLE IS SOLD IN AS-IS CONDITION WITH NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE." (2) A list of all known defects or issues. (3) VIN, odometer, sale price, date, and both parties' signatures. The disclosure list is as important as the as-is clause itself.
What legal protections do I have as a seller with an "as-is" clause in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania UCC 13-2316 permits "as-is" sales. The disclaimer must be conspicuous and in writing to effectively disclaim implied warranties. The clause protects you from buyer claims over defects that existed but were not known to you. It does not protect you from fraud claims if you lied about the vehicle's condition. UTPCPL applies to deceptive conduct in trade or commerce. Courts have found private sellers liable under UTPCPL when they made affirmative misrepresentations about vehicle condition.
What problems am I required to disclose even with an "as-is" sale in Pennsylvania?
You must disclose: (1) known safety defects (brakes, steering, structural damage); (2) known major mechanical failures (engine, transmission); (3) salvage or rebuilt title history; (4) odometer rollback if known; (5) prior flood or fire damage if known; (6) open recalls you are aware of. The test is whether you have actual knowledge of a material defect that would affect the buyer's decision.
Can a buyer sue me after an as-is sale in Pennsylvania?
Yes, in two scenarios: (1) you made an affirmative false statement about the vehicle's condition — "the brakes are brand new" when they were failing; (2) you actively concealed a known defect — disconnected the check engine light before the test drive. The as-is clause only covers unknown defects. Fraud claims survive any as-is language.
Generate your Pennsylvania as-is bill of sale
State-specific form with as-is clause and disclosure section — instant PDF.
Generate Pennsylvania RV Bill of Sale