Selling a dead or junk car in Mobile

When a car counts as inoperable

In Mobile's property maintenance code, this means "A vehicle which cannot be driven upon the public streets for reason including but not limited to being unlicensed, wrecked, abandoned, in a state of disrepair, or incapable of being moved under its own power." The code goes on to say these vehicles "shall not be parked, kept or stored on any premises." Section 52-105 makes the person in control of the property responsible, "whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or otherwise." So a tenant can be held to account for a dead car in the yard, and so can the landlord.

Three ways a car is exempt

Section 52-186 lists the cases where the abatement rules don't apply:

• A repair in progress. The car is temporarily out of service for ordinary repair and shows "a valid and current license tag." The limit is "an aggregate total of thirty (30) days" on private property.
• A licensed salvage business. The car sits at a city-licensed wrecking or junking business, or one that stores and sells damaged or theft-recovered vehicles for insurers.
• A closed building. The car is "kept in an enclosed building completely shielded from the view of individuals on the adjoining properties."

An expired tag ends the repair exemption, however close the job is to done.

The notice and the council hearing

Under section 52-187, the official puts a notice on the car. Written notice also goes to the property owner and, if the VIN can be read, to the last registered owner. The notice gives "thirty (30) days from the date the notice is received" to remove the car or move it into a shielded building.

In Mobile, a written request can come from the owner, the landowner or a secured party within that month. After that, the Mobile council sets a hearing. Mobile then sends notice of the date by certified mail with a return receipt. At the hearing the owner can argue the car isn't a nuisance or offer a removal plan with a set date. If the council rules for removal, section 52-190 allows "five (5) days" before the city acts. When nobody requests a hearing and the car hasn't moved, Mobile has it hauled to the city impound lot. Contractors for that work are chosen by rotation. Our page on notices to remove a car covers how to use the 30 days.

Towed for unpaid tickets

A car taken off the street for parking or traffic violations comes back under section 61-104. The owner pays the fine, the code's fixed charge for removal, and storage. If the car has already been advertised for sale, the owner pays for that too. Section 61-105 lets an owner pay and recover the car now and contest the fees later. An owner can also demand a hearing, which must be held within 24 hours, not counting holidays and weekends. More is in towed or impounded.

State rules that reach Mobile cars

Alabama's own abandoned-vehicle law runs alongside the city's. More than 48 hours parked on another person's property, without that person agreeing, makes a vehicle unclaimed in the state's eyes. In Mobile, whoever holds the car has five calendar days to tell ADOR about it. A 60-day hold then goes on its title record.

Water damage leaves a mark on paper too. A "Flood Vehicle" legend on a salvage title carries to every later title. See flood damage for selling one.

The title office and plates

ADOR's probate list puts a Mobile County office at 3925 Michael Blvd Ste. F, phone 251-574-4800. It's about 2 miles west of central Mobile as the crow flies.

Sign the title over without a notary, since Alabama doesn't ask for one. Spell each owner's name on the buyer's paperwork exactly as the title shows it. Plates stay with the registrant and can transfer to a newly acquired car. The Alabama page covers the rest.

Across the bay and nearby

Daphne is about 14 miles from Mobile, Fairhope about 17 and Foley about 32, measured straight-line.

Getting an offer

Fill in the form or call (877) 421-6008. Fill in the offer form for your Mobile car, including any lien or brand. We can collect from a Mobile driveway, a rented yard with a posted notice, or the impound lot after release.