Coronado: what California law says about selling a junk car

Coronado's own rule: Chapter 56.24

Coronado's municipal code handles dead cars in Chapter 56.24, starting at section 56.24.010. The city adopted it under Vehicle Code 22660, to remove "abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof as public nuisances."

The core rule is broad. The code forbids you to "abandon, park, store or leave" any "licensed or unlicensed vehicle or part thereof" in that state "upon any private or public property, not including highways, within the City." There are listed exceptions, so check the full text if your car is kept in an unusual way. It is also unlawful to "fail or refuse to remove" such a car when ordered to under the chapter.

The city spells out its reasons. The council found that stored dead cars "promote blight and deterioration," "invite plundering" and "create fire hazards."

Following a public hearing, the City Council can declare a car abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative and order it "removed from the property as a public nuisance." The DMV is told which car it was within five days of removal.

A state rule reaches the street as well. Coronado can tow under Vehicle Code 22651 once a car breaks a local parking law on its streets for 72 hours or more.

Smog, and when it does apply

In an ordinary Coronado sale, the Bureau of Automotive Repair makes the Smog Check the seller's job. You test before the sale and give the buyer the report, which must be no older than 90 days. A few groups are excused at sale even then. Coronado owners of a gas or hybrid car that is four model years old or newer pay an $8 smog transfer fee instead of getting a smog test. In Coronado, no smog check applies to electric cars, motorcycles, gasoline cars from 1975 or before, or diesels from 1997 or before.

A buyer who will dismantle the car takes all of that off the table. Our failed inspection guide lays out the choices.

Cars that fall short of CARB rules

Vehicle Code 24007 limits who can buy a Coronado car that doesn't meet California Air Resources Board rules. In Coronado the buyer has to be a dealer or someone who will have it "legally wrecked or dismantled." At the sale, the Coronado seller gives the buyer a certificate showing compliance or noncompliance. Selling to a dismantler fits that rule.

What the title might say

A damaged car's title may carry a brand. California sets no percentage for a total loss. Under Vehicle Code 544, it comes down to the owner or insurer deciding the repair isn't worth the money. The title is then swapped for a salvage certificate. Vehicle Code 431 goes further for nonrepairable cars, such as complete burns or cars the owner has written off as parts or scrap, and those can never carry a title again.

Signing a Coronado title over

Sign the seller line on the California title, and any lienholder signs next to you. A Coronado seller won't find a notary step in DMV's directions. The buyer pays the $15 transfer fee. Selling in Coronado? Within 5 days, a Coronado seller files REG 138 with DMV, using the paper form or the dmv.ca.gov/nrl page. Ordinary plates normally stay with the car, while personalized ones can follow the owner to another car for a fee. The California page has the rest.

Nearby

National City is 3.4 miles off in a straight line, Imperial Beach 6.8 and Chula Vista 8.5. National City and Imperial Beach both publish their codes, and their pages quote them.

Getting an offer

Have a car to sell in Coronado? Use the form or call (877) 421-6008. We pick it up in a garage, an alley spot or a shop lot, wherever it's parked.