San Ramon: selling a car that won't run or won't pass smog

Smog when the car is junk

On an ordinary sale in California, the seller pays for the Smog Check up front and hands the buyer the report. Selling one of these in San Ramon needs no smog check: EVs, motorcycles, 1997 or older diesels, 1975 or older gas cars, and gas or hybrid models four model years old or less. Junking skips the inspection altogether, since a dismantling sale is exempt.

Vehicle Code 24007 also has the seller of a noncompliant car supply a certificate, of compliance or of noncompliance, when the car is delivered. More on cars that will not pass is in failed inspection.

What San Ramon's own code says

Our online search found no copy of San Ramon's municipal code, so what follows is state law. Under Vehicle Code 22660, a city may treat dead, wrecked or dismantled cars as public nuisances, take them off public or private land, and recover what that costs. If San Ramon has such a rule, it sets its own deadlines, so check with the city.

The state rules that apply anywhere:

• Streets: Vehicle Code 22651 allows towing a San Ramon car parked 72 straight hours in violation of a local ordinance.
• Removal: Under Vehicle Code 22669, a San Ramon car that appears abandoned on public or private property may be removed by a peace officer or assigned city employee.
• Dumping: in San Ramon, Vehicle Code 22523 forbids abandoning a car on land you aren't allowed to use, with fines starting at $100.

The registration that lapsed while it sat

Many dead cars stop being registered long before they stop being parked. In San Ramon, each year a car sat unregistered brings DMV fees and penalties. A prior Planned Non-Operation filing (REG 102) is the exception. Back fees can come up at the sale, so look up the car's status before you agree on paperwork. See car sitting for years.

Title, release and plates

• Signing. The title needs your signature as seller and, if a loan is still recorded, the lender's. The San Ramon buyer handles DMV and covers the $15 transfer fee. No notary appears anywhere in DMV's seller steps.
• Missing title. REG 227 comes first. It costs $28, and the replacement normally reaches you by mail in 15 to 30 days.
• Release. Within 5 days of the sale, a San Ramon seller must send DMV the release-of-liability notice, REG 138. After DMV records it, any San Ramon parking or traffic tickets from after the sale go to the buyer.
• Plates. Standard plates normally stay on a San Ramon car. Personalized, environmental and special plates can be moved to a different vehicle if you pay a fee.

Close by

In a straight line, Danville sits 3.8 miles off and Dublin 3.9. Pleasanton is 7.3 miles off. State rules are summed up on the California page.

Getting an offer

Selling a car in San Ramon? Reach us at (877) 421-6008 or by the offer form. San Ramon pickup works at home or near your job.