Selling a dead or junk car in Tracy

Tracy's street limits

Anything parked against 3.08.510 "may be removed pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 22651." The same section caps detached trailers of every kind at four hours. Vehicles six feet or taller, load included, may not park within 100 feet of an intersection. The city lot on East 11th Street has its own cap of 24 consecutive hours.

Off the street: the abatement article

On private property, and on public property other than highways, Tracy's council has declared abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles a public nuisance (4.12.570). Section 4.12.640 sets the order of events:

1. Unless the property owner and the vehicle's registered owner both sign releases, the City Manager's designee must "send and post on the vehicle, a ten (10) calendar-day notice of intention to abate." That happens at least ten working days before removal.
2. A hearing request goes in writing to the City Clerk's office "within ten (10) working days after the mailing."
3. Tracy then mails the hearing date by certified mail, ten calendar days or more in advance.

Tracy landowners may show up in person, or file a sworn statement in place of appearing that denies responsibility and gives reasons. No notice is needed for a car worth under $200 that has no motor, transmission or wheels and is too far gone to tow. When registration evidence turns up on one, its owners are mailed a notice and have 12 calendar days to claim it.

When the car is not yours

Section 4.12.650 protects Tracy landowners stuck with someone else's wreck. If the hearing finds "the vehicle was placed on the land without the consent of the landowner and that he has not subsequently acquiesced in its presence," removal and administrative costs may not be assessed against that parcel. The official may also delay removal when circumstances justify it. See car abandoned on your property.

Selling in Tracy: title, release and plates

Titles go through the state DMV, at its field offices or by mail. In Tracy, two signatures may be needed on the Certificate of Title: the seller's, and a lienholder's if there is one. Next, the Tracy buyer pays the $15 transfer fee and must tell DMV about the change within 10 days.

Tracy sellers handle REG 138, which is due five days after the sale. That matters more in Tracy, which tows stored cars. Should a Tracy buyer later abandon the car, a past owner who filed a report of sale is protected by Vehicle Code 22523. In Tracy, regular plates stay with the car when it goes to the buyer. Wrecking or dismantling sales are exempt from the smog check.

Getting an offer

Use the form or call (877) 421-6008 about the Tracy car. For a Tracy car, call (877) 421-6008 or use the form. We come to a garage, side street, or shop lot by the freeway. Mountain House is 5.9 miles away and Lathrop 9.2; the California page covers statewide rules.