Selling a junk or dead car in Branford

What Chapter 124 counts

Two separate lines in the chapter deal with cars:

• Two or more. "More than one inoperable or unregistered (if applicable) motor vehicle" on the lot or the right-of-way is blight, unless the premises is "a junkyard or automotive repair facility legally licensed by the State of Connecticut."
• One, if abandoned. "One abandoned motor vehicle" is enough on its own. Here only "a junkyard legally licensed by the State of Connecticut" is exempt, so a repair shop gets no pass.

Abandoned gets its own wording: a vehicle "that is intentionally left, forsaken or deserted." Branford defines a motor vehicle broadly, too. The list runs from automobiles and buses to campers, go-carts, ATVs and trailers, "and parts thereof." A stripped Branford shell can still count.

When a Branford blight fine sits unpaid

This part of the chapter follows the house rather than the car. Citing state statute 7-148, it says an unpaid Branford blight penalty "shall constitute a lien upon the real estate upon which the penalty was imposed." If fines stay unpaid or the blight stays put, the First Selectman or a designee may go to Superior Court to enforce the citation and collect.

Branford can also do the cleanup itself in three cases: the owner agrees, the condition threatens public health, safety or welfare, or a judge orders it. The Director of Public Works or a designee of the First Selectman then assigns Town employees, staffing permitting.

The Hamden DMV office

No Connecticut town issues titles; Branford sellers deal with the state Department of Motor Vehicles. We checked its office at 1985 State Street in Hamden, which sits roughly 7 miles northwest of Branford's center as the crow flies. Most offices book appointments, and a full-service hub can handle any transaction.

Title and plates for a Branford sale

• Title. You sign on the back of the certificate. Branford sellers pass along the title with a bill of sale and hold on to copies. Notarizing is not among the DMV's selling steps.
• Old cars. Connecticut gives no title to a car beyond 20 model years. A Branford seller of such a car hands over Form Q-1 along with the newest registration certificate.
• Plates. Unscrew them and keep them. Then cancel the registration online; the DMV puts that at about 7 minutes. Save the receipt.
• Tax bill. Branford keeps the car on its property-tax rolls until that cancellation happens. Should a stray bill arrive, the assessor wants the cancellation receipt plus your bill-of-sale copy.

After you sell walks through the final steps, and junk car with no title covers a missing title. The Connecticut page has statewide rules.

Towns around Branford

East Haven lies 3.9 miles away and Guilford 5.8. New Haven is 7.5 miles off, North Haven 7.9.

Getting an offer

Selling a car in Branford? Ring (877) 421-6008 or use our form. Our truck goes to the Branford car, whether it's parked at home, at your job or in a repair shop.