Selling an unregistered or junk car in Aliso Viejo

A different legal basis

Aliso Viejo's chapter cites California Vehicle Code Section 22669, the section that lets officials remove abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles. The council adopted it "in addition to other statutory authority" for removing cars from public or private property, so other rules can still reach a car here.

Before and after removal

• At least 10 days of warning. Aliso Viejo's chief of police services sends the landowner and the car's owner a notice of intention to abate by registered or certified mail "not less than 10 days prior to the removal." A car whose identification numbers can't be read is the exception.
• The notice itself names the car and tells its last registered or legal owner that the city considers it an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle and a public nuisance.
• Disposal. A car found to be inoperative "may be disposed of by removal to a scrap yard or automobile dismantler's yard or another suitable site," on time periods the chapter sets out.
• Five days after removal, the chief of police services notifies the state DMV and sends any registration, title and plates found.

The registration you may still owe

Since lapsed registration alone can trigger the chapter, back fees matter here. The DMV charges the skipped years, penalties included. The one exception the DMV names: you filed REG 102 for Planned Non-Operation. Cars parked for years often carry that debt, and sitting for years explains it.

Selling under California rules

In Aliso Viejo the state handles titles. California's DMV has field offices and accepts mail too. You sign the title, plus any listed lender. Your Aliso Viejo buyer covers the $15 transfer fee on handing it in. Nothing in the DMV's seller guidance calls for a notary.

In Aliso Viejo, the seller files REG 138 with the DMV within 5 days, online or by post. Regular plates usually go with the car. No smog test is needed when it is sold for dismantling. Title branded Salvaged? Read salvage title. Statewide rules are on the California page.

Towns near Aliso Viejo

Nearby pages: Laguna Hills 2.0 miles, Laguna Beach 3.1, Laguna Niguel 3.8, Mission Viejo 4.7.

Getting an offer

Reach out online or at (877) 421-6008 with the car's model year and name, rough mileage, running or not, and title details. Free pickup anywhere in the US can reach a garage, an assigned condo space or a shop lot.