Selling an inoperable or junk car in West Covina

Hiding a dead car the West Covina way

The same section gives you some room: "Up to two (2) inoperable vehicles may be parked for any length of time in an enclosed garage or the rear or side yards where such yards are completely enclosed with six-foot solid walls or fences." The sentence right after it is tighter: "If so kept, an inoperable vehicle must be fully within a garage, carport, or other approved covered or enclosed parking space." Because the section can be read two ways, ask West Covina's planning staff before relying on a walled side yard.

The garage also has to stay usable. The code says "The parking of other vehicles or the storage of other goods and equipment shall not constitute grounds for the inability to use a garage or carport."

Parts piles and Section 15-200

Stripping a car leaves a heap. Section 15-200 treats "Rubbish, garbage or junk of any kind existing or maintained for over seven (7) consecutive calendar days on private property" as a nuisance when it creates a health or safety hazard. It also lists "Abandoned, neglected or broken equipment or machinery not secured from access." A pulled transmission left on the lawn could fall under either line.

Two West Covina parking traps

Parking a dead car with a for-sale sign in a West Covina shopping center lot can earn you a citation. Section 15-13 applies once signs "not less than seventeen (17) by twenty-two (22) inches" are posted. If the car shows "for sale," the code says "it shall be presumed that the registered owner has parked the vehicle for the purpose of selling it."

At the curb, Section 22-193 keeps streets clear during the posted sweeping hours. A West Covina car that won't crank can't get out of the sweeper's way, so every sweep day brings another chance of a citation.

DMV steps after a West Covina sale

Title transfers are handled by the California DMV, a state office. The county plays no part. Sign the Certificate of Title, get any lienholder's signature next to yours, and the buyer takes care of submitting it. DMV lists no notary among the seller's steps. If the title is missing, REG 227 replaces it for $28; junk car with no title explains.

Within five days, send REG 138 to DMV, online or on paper. After it posts, citations dated later belong to the buyer.

Smog is not your problem on a junker, since cars sold for dismantling are exempt. In West Covina the plates normally stay on the car, unless it's recorded as Junk and DMV takes them back. See after you sell.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or use the online form. West Covina owners can start with our offer form and we'll handle the rest. We can pick up from a walled side yard, a garage or a West Covina driveway. Covina is 2.9 miles away and Walnut 3.4. State rules are on California.