Last reviewed: 2 October 2026

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What does an "as is" used-vehicle sale mean for warranty rights in Canada?

Neither source below describes a single national rule for "as is" used-vehicle sales; the federal office says provincial and territorial sales laws cover implied warranties. This guide reports two sources: the federal Office of Consumer Affairs' general explanation of "as is" and implied warranties, and the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council's (OMVIC) guideline on how Ontario dealers must handle "as is" sales. It does not cover other provinces.

What "as is" means, according to the federal consumer office

The Office of Consumer Affairs, part of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, says a retailer will sometimes sell a product "as is," and that such products "don't have a warranty. You are buying what you see, whatever its condition." Selling "as is" tells you that you are buying "at your own risk, without recourse for after-sale repairs or service for the product under any kind of warranty."²

The same page then qualifies that: "despite what some retailers claim about 'as is' sales, implied warranties apply to the sale of all consumer goods." It says provincial and territorial sales laws cover implied warranties and that, generally, they state that products "must be fit for the purposes for which they are sold." It also says the application of implied warranties "is subject to legal interpretation" and that you "may have to go to court to enforce your rights."² The page is about consumer goods in general, not used vehicles specifically, and it does not say how implied warranties apply to a used car in any particular province. For the provincial law, see our guide on the Sale of Goods Act.

The office's advice is to "think twice about any product being sold 'as is'" and to "check these goods carefully to make sure that they will work and don't require potentially costly repairs." For warranty laws where you live, it points you to your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office.²

Ontario: what a registered dealer must say

OMVIC administers and enforces Ontario's Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002, its regulations and Code of Ethics, and relevant sections of the Consumer Protection Act, on behalf of Ontario's Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.¹ Its As-Is Sales Guideline (created 2023-12-18, with no revision date shown on the page when we read it) is aimed at dealers and explains the rules for vehicles sold "as is."¹ The details below come from that guideline and the regulation text it reproduces in its appendix (Regulation 333/08, section 40).¹

• The statement in the contract. A dealer selling a used vehicle "as is" must include in the contract a statement, in 12 point bold font (heading in 14 point bold), that the purchaser initials. Its text: "The motor vehicle sold under this contract is being sold 'as-is' and is not represented as being in road worthy condition, mechanically sound or maintained at any guaranteed level of quality. The vehicle may not be fit for use as a means of transportation and may require substantial repairs at the purchaser's expense. It may not be possible to register the vehicle to be driven in its current condition."¹
• Safety standards certificate. The regulation text says: "No registered motor vehicle dealer shall sell a used motor vehicle on an as-is basis to a purchaser who is not a registered motor vehicle dealer if a current safety standards certificate under the Highway Traffic Act has been issued for the vehicle." Where a certificate has been issued, the contract must include it with a statement that a safety standards certificate "is only an indication that the motor vehicle met certain basic standards of vehicle safety on the date of inspection."¹
• Advertising. OMVIC's position is that the same paragraph should be included in advertising of vehicles listed for sale "as is." The guideline also says OMVIC's Discipline Tribunal has found it a violation when a dealer fails to mention the cost of certification in advertising where the dealer intends to offer certification at an additional cost.¹
• Clear and truthful description. Section 4 of the Code of Ethics requires a registrant to be "clear and truthful in describing the features, benefits and prices" of the vehicles it trades in. The guideline says it is "not compliant" to indicate a vehicle is sold "as is" without the required disclosures.¹
• Contract basics. The regulation text also requires a contract that includes all restrictions, limitations and conditions on the purchaser "in a clear, comprehensible and prominent manner," that it be signed by the parties, and that the purchaser receive a copy "immediately after signing it."¹

The OMVIC guideline is about dealer conduct. The guideline page, as we read it, does not discuss implied warranties, buyer remedies or private sales.¹

Other provinces

Neither source gives a province-by-province answer. The federal office tells you to check with your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office.² Our provincial regulator directory lists offices, and our guides on Ontario and Quebec cover other rules that apply to vehicle warranties.

"As is" is not the same as an extended warranty

The federal office describes an extended warranty on a vehicle as something dealers or retailers may offer on top of the manufacturer's warranty, that "usually costs extra and may extend the amount of time you are covered."² That is a separate purchase from the sale itself. See extended warranty vs. manufacturer warranty in Canada.

How this connects to our standard

Point 1 of our standard asks whether contract terms and exclusions are disclosed in plain language before purchase. An "as is" statement is one example of a term a buyer should see and understand before signing. This guide does not assess any dealer or seller.

How to verify this yourself

• Read OMVIC's As-Is Sales Guideline (reference 1), including the appendix with the regulation text. OMVIC's site also has a "Find a dealer or salesperson" tool and a complaints process.
• Read the Office of Consumer Affairs' warranties page (reference 2). It showed a modified date of 2025-04-07 when we read it.
• To find your province's rules, contact your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office; the federal page points to a directory.

What this page is not

This is general information, not legal advice. It reports what two sources say. It does not cover provinces other than Ontario, private sales, remedies, or how a court would apply implied warranties to your purchase. Before buying a used vehicle, ask your provincial consumer affairs office or a lawyer about your specific facts.