Selling a dead or junk car in Turlock

A city counting in days rewards an early decision. We buy whole non-running and junk cars: sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

The Police Chief's authority

Section 4-8-101 opens the chapter by invoking "Section 22660 of the Vehicle Code." Section 4-8-108 continues: "Upon discovering the existence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle, or parts thereof, on private property or public property within the City, the Police Chief shall have the authority to cause the abatement and removal thereof."

Ten days on paper, five after the order

Landowners receive this wording: "You are hereby notified to abate said nuisance by the removal of said vehicle, or said parts of a vehicle, within ten (10) days from the date of mailing of this notice." Ignore it, and Turlock hauls the car off and bills whoever owns the land, administrative charges included.

• Hearings. "Upon a request by the owner of the vehicle or the owner of the land received by the Police Chief within ten (10) days after the mailing of the notices of intention to abate and remove, a public hearing shall be held by the City Manager."
• No request. The Police Chief may then go ahead.
• Disposal. "Five (5) days after the adoption of the order declaring the vehicle, or parts thereof, to be a public nuisance, or five (5) days from the date of mailing of the notice of the decision," or "fifteen (15) days after such action of the governing body authorizing removal following an appeal," the car can be disposed of.

Turlock streets

Zoning definitions in Section 9-1-202 describe "any dismantled or partially dismantled vehicle which requires major repairs to render it operable and which has remained within a public street in excess of seventy-two (72) hours." Section 1-2-08, the minimum-fine schedule, lists "Use of streets for storage of vehicles prohibited" beside its entries for abandoned and wrecked vehicles. The state's 72-hour tow rule in Vehicle Code 22651 lines up with that number.

A short window still needs a filing

With three days on the clock, the release form is what protects you. California law requires telling DMV within five days of selling or disposing of a vehicle, on REG 138. In Turlock, you can file at dmv.ca.gov/nrl, or post the form to P.O. Box 942859 in Sacramento. Vehicle Code 5602 explains why: once DMV records it, parking and traffic violations plus civil suits dated after the sale become the buyer's problem. Vehicle Code 22523 adds a second benefit. If the buyer later dumps the car, a filed report of sale clears the previous owner. After you sell lists the remaining steps.

Other DMV points

• The state DMV, not Stanislaus County, issues titles, at field offices or by mail.
• Seller and lienholder signatures go on the title; DMV's steps for sellers mention no notary.
• Junk-bound cars skip the smog inspection.
• Regular plates generally remain with the car. Owners can keep personalized ones for a fee.
• A missing title calls for REG 227. See selling with no title.

Statewide rules are gathered on the California page.

Ceres, Modesto, Patterson, Atwater

From Turlock, as the crow flies: Ceres 8.8 miles, Modesto 12.0, Patterson 16.3, Atwater 17.8.

Getting an offer

Use the form or ring (877) 421-6008. Turlock sellers can call (877) 421-6008 or use the form. Our truck comes downtown, out on country roads past town, or behind a shop.