Selling a dead or junk car in Simi Valley

When a car counts as inoperative

The definition goes well beyond "won't start." Besides blocks, jacks, weeds and trash, it covers a car "in such a state of disuse or disrepair that it cannot normally operate upon public or private streets or roadways as it was designed to operate." An inoperable car "may be established by the absence of the central components, obvious disrepair, and or deteriorated condition." The code also says parking includes "store" or "storage," so a car that never moves still counts as parked.

Section 5-2.01 declares an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle "on private or public property, not including highways" a public nuisance, "except as expressly permitted" in the chapter.

The notices and the hearing

Section 5-2.09 prints the notice the city mails. Simi Valley's notice tells the landowner to move the car "within ten (10) days from the date of the mailing of this notice." If it stays, the city removes it and charges the landowner the costs and administrative costs. A second notice goes to the registered owner, who also has ten days to request a public hearing.

If either owner asks the City Manager in time, Section 5-2.10 requires a hearing, announced by registered or certified mail at least ten days in advance. A landowner can file "a sworn written statement denying responsibility" for the car instead of appearing. If no request arrives, the city may order removal "without holding a public hearing."

Low-value cars get one more window. When registration papers are found with the car, the city must write to the registered and legal owners before getting rid of it. If the car "is not claimed and removed within twelve (12) days after the notice is mailed," disposal can go ahead.

Title and smog for a Simi Valley sale

The state DMV, not Ventura County, handles California titles, at its field offices. Both seller and any lienholder sign. You will not find a notary step in the DMV's private-sale list. Lost the title? REG 227 comes first.

Dismantling exempts the car from smog testing. The plates on an ordinary registration go with the car. Once REG 138 is filed, within 5 days of the sale, violations after that date land on the buyer. Out on the street, state law allows a tow when a car stays "72 or more consecutive hours" in breach of a local rule.

Nearby towns

Moorpark is 7.5 miles away as the crow flies, Thousand Oaks 8.8 and Calabasas 10.3. For a car parked a long time, read car sitting for years. The California page has the state rules.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or use the form with the car's details: its make and model, the miles, whether it cranks, and the title status. The truck can reach a car on jacks in a cul-de-sac or in a side yard against the hills, as long as it can pull close.