Newark: selling a car that's dead or junk

Newark's idea of inoperative

Section 7.04.020 reaches past "will not start." It takes in any car the Vehicle Code keeps off the road, plus "vehicles, including trailers or vessels, not currently registered for operation on the public streets." So a car that drives well with lapsed tags may still qualify.

The view test in 7.04.030 is what decides it: the car is a problem if it can be seen "from the public street or from normally occupied locations or neighboring properties." Storage yards, dismantlers and repair shops actually working on a car are exempt.

The one-mile rule on the street

Newark's Section 10.24.020 bars leaving a vehicle on a street or alley "for more than seventy-two hours in the aggregate during any period of seventy-three consecutive hours." Whether a car really moved comes down to distance. It counts as parked the whole time "if it has remained inoperable or has not been moved at least one mile." The odometer is presumed accurate, and if it is covered up, the code presumes the car never moved. A car that cannot run cannot pass this test, and police may remove it under the Vehicle Code.

The ten-day abatement process

When the police chief finds a nuisance car on private property, Section 10.52.100 sets out the steps:

1. A ten-day notice of intention is "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."
2. A Newark hearing request must be in writing and reach the police chief "within ten calendar days after the mailing."
3. If no request arrives, the city may remove the car "without holding a public hearing."
4. After a hearing, removal and administrative costs can be charged to the landowner.
5. The city notifies the DMV "within five calendar days after the date of removal."

Title and plates in California

Titles here are a state DMV matter; Newark sellers can visit a field office or mail the papers in. The owner of record signs the California title, alongside any lienholder, and DMV's private-sale instructions do not include a notary. Without a title, REG 227 is the first form. File REG 138 inside five days of handing over the car, online (dmv.ca.gov/nrl) or by mail.

The smog inspection is waived for any sale where the car will be dismantled. Newark owners normally leave standard plates on the car, but personalized or special plates can go on their next vehicle for a fee. Back registration is billed with penalties for each year a car sat unregistered, unless REG 102 was on file. See car sitting for years and car doesn't run.

Near Newark

As the crow flies, Fremont is 5.0 miles away and East Palo Alto 6.1. Menlo Park is 6.6 and Union City 6.8. Statewide rules are on the California page.

Getting an offer

Get an offer by ringing (877) 421-6008 or using the form. Send us the details on a Newark car through the form. A side yard, garage or curb works for pickup.