Selling a junk or dead car in Firestone

Junk vehicles and the 48-hour rule

The same section defines a junk vehicle as one built for highway travel that "is not capable of such travel in its existing mechanical condition," or that is dismantled, wrecked or demolished in whole or part, or any inoperable vehicle. Section 8.03.220 forbids an owner, or whoever controls a Firestone property, from letting an abandoned, junked or inoperable vehicle stay "for a time period in excess of 48 hours." Its listed exceptions include:

• parked within four walls and a roof, fully enclosed
• on the premises of a lawful business that needs it, stored as the Firestone Development Code requires
• in a lot kept for vehicles impounded by or for the town

Leaving a junk or inoperable vehicle on public property is also prohibited.

Clocks on public streets

On a Firestone street, a car turns abandoned after a day or more unattended, unless the owner has taped a dated note to it or told the police it will be moved. Even with that notice, a car left "for longer than forty-eight (48) hours" is presumed abandoned. Section 10.12.010 adds that a car in an impound lot becomes abandoned if no one removes it "within seventy-two (72) hours" after the police say it is ready for release. Cars on a designated snow route can be removed and impounded under Section 10.10.040 "at the owner's sole expense."

When the town sells an impounded car

Under Section 10.12.060, a car left after a police tow is appraised and sold "not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days" after the notice. The appraisal sets its fate. At $200 or less, the sale is "only for the purpose of junking, scrapping or dismantling," and the buyer can never get a state title. Above $200, the buyer may use it for anything. See towed or impounded.

Weld County title work

Firestone people file with Weld County, since the town sits there. The clerk and recorder runs that motor vehicle office. Weld picks its own hours and fees.

A Firestone seller's signature goes in the Seller line on the reverse of the title, printed beneath exactly as the front spells the owner, and each additional owner shown there signs too. Enter the amount paid and the date. Odometer miles are required on 2011 and later cars until they reach 20. The state's seller steps never mention a notary. If the title shows no price, a bill of sale (DR 2173 or similar) is required. For a lost title, form DR 2539A and $8.20 get a duplicate.

Plates and the five-day report

Keep the plates; they are the owner's, not the car's. After selling in Firestone, you get 5 days to send in "Report Release of Liability" through myDMV or the county. Firestone sellers enter the plate plus the VIN, or the registration card's code. Firestone owners can hand standard plates back at the county office, or drop them with a metal recycler.

Past 7 model years, a car sold to a buyer who lives where Denver-metro or North Front Range testing applies needs a passing emissions result from the seller. If yours will not start, the DMV wants sellers to phone 303-205-5603.

Getting an offer

Selling a car in Firestone? Ring (877) 421-6008 or fill in the online form. Our truck can load it from a Firestone driveway or a lot in Longmont or Erie. We offer free pickup anywhere in the US.