Selling a junk car in Dana Point

The notice, step by step

• Delivery. The notice "shall be mailed, by registered or certified mail, to the owner of the land as shown on the last equalized assessment roll and to the last registered and legal owner of record of the vehicle," unless the identification numbers cannot be read.
• The deadline. The form says you must remove the car "at your expense" within 10 days after the date on the notice.
• A hearing. Any interested party may request one in writing within 10 days; it takes place at Dana Point City Hall on Golden Lantern before a hearing officer.
• Releases. No notice is needed where "the property owner and the owner of the vehicle have signed releases authorizing removal and waiving further interest in the vehicle."

After an order, Section 6.14.201 allows removal "to a scrapyard or automobile dismantler's yard" on this timeline: "Five calendar days after adoption of the order, five days from the date of mailing of notice of the decision if such notice is required, or 15 calendar days after such action of the City Council authorizing removal following appeal." Afterward it may not be rebuilt, the lone exception being a car with horseless-carriage or historical plate eligibility.

The low-value exception

On land zoned for agriculture, or with no home on it, the city can skip the 10-day notice for a car "which is inoperable due to the absence of a motor, transmission, or wheels and incapable of being towed, is valued at less than $200 by any person designated pursuant to the Vehicle Code to make such appraisals." Read $200 there as a legal threshold only. If registration evidence turns up, the owners still get notice and have 12 days to claim the car before it is disposed of.

Street parking near the harbor

Section 12.08.010 sets a 24-hour or 72-hour period on City streets. When it runs out, "the vehicle shall be moved from any and all City streets or designated publicly used parking lots for the ensuing 72 hour period." Rolling a dead car a few spaces will not help; the rule says every City street. It reaches private streets too, where signs at the entrance say the code is enforced.

Paperwork the state asks for

The state DMV handles titles for Dana Point like everywhere else in California. You and any lender sign; then the buyer files. DMV's seller instructions skip notaries entirely. Cars going to a wrecker or dismantler need no smog test. Dana Point plates normally stay on a sold car; a Junk record returns them to DMV.

In Dana Point, REG 138 is due within five days of selling, sent online or through the mail. Once DMV records the Dana Point sale, any later civil suits, traffic violations and parking tickets belong to the new owner. VC 22523 adds another benefit: a filed report of sale protects you if your buyer abandons the car later. If the car is still registered to a relative, see car not in your name.

Towns nearby

Straight-line distances: San Juan Capistrano 2.8 miles, Laguna Niguel 3.7, San Clemente 5.0, Laguna Beach 6.1, Aliso Viejo 7.5 and Laguna Hills 8.0. More on selling a junk car and on California rules.

Getting an offer

Reach us at (877) 421-6008 or online with model year, maker, model, mileage, running condition and the date of any city notice. In Dana Point we load cars from hillside driveways, harbor-area lots and repair shops.