Selling a junk or dead car in Cupertino

What state law says about a car left sitting

• Dumping a car is illegal. Vehicle Code 22523 covers Cupertino too. Leaving a car behind in Cupertino, on a highway or on someone's land without their okay, brings fines of $100 or more. The owner must also prove the tow bill was paid.
• The street clock. A car left on a street for 72 or more consecutive hours, in violation of a local ordinance, can be towed (Vehicle Code 22651).
• City rules come first on private land. The state leaves yards and driveways to each city's ordinance under Vehicle Code 22660. In Santa Clara next door the limit is three days.

Total losses and the Salvaged brand

Many dead cars in Cupertino are insurance write-offs. California doesn't use a percentage test. A Cupertino car is total loss salvage under Vehicle Code 544 once its owner or insurer judges repairs too costly. After that, a salvage certificate replaces the Cupertino car's title. The title brand is "Salvaged," which covers accident, flood and vandalism damage. There is no separate flood brand. Once a car is declared nonrepairable, it can't get a title ever again. See salvage title.

Cars that fail CARB rules

A car that does not meet California Air Resources Board rules "may not be sold" to a private buyer. A Cupertino owner can still sell to a dealer, or for legal dismantling or wrecking, under Vehicle Code 24007. At delivery the seller hands over a certificate saying whether it complies.

Signing over the title

In Cupertino, as everywhere in the state, the DMV itself issues titles. You sign, and so does any lender on record. After that, whoever buys the Cupertino car hands DMV the title and the $15 transfer fee. DMV never asks a seller for a notary. Give the DMV your REG 138 inside five days. In Cupertino, regular plates go with the car. Cupertino owners can pay a fee to move personalized plates to their next car.

Getting an offer

For a Cupertino car, call (877) 421-6008 or use the form online. Our truck comes to a driveway near Monta Vista, an apartment garage or a body shop lot. Nearby pages: Saratoga, Los Altos and Santa Clara. Statewide rules are on California.