New Britain dead and junk car sales

What counts as inoperable here

The city's anti-blight chapter, Section 7-42, defines an inoperable motor vehicle as one "incapable of performing the function for which it was designed by virtue of missing parts, or broken or severely damaged components." It lists inoperable or abandoned vehicles on a property as a blight factor unless the property is a licensed junkyard. It also lists cars parked "on unpaved surfaces." A dead car on the grass can count twice.

Warning, then 10 days, then a notice

Section 16-114 runs in two steps once police get a complaint about an inoperable car on private property:

1. Written warning. New Britain hands it over in person or sends it certified mail to the property manager, the landowner and the car's owner. It says more action follows if the car hasn't moved in 10 days.
2. Notice of violation. If an officer finds the car still there 10 days later, a formal notice is served the same way.

If the violation goes on past the deadline in that notice, the chief "may remove and dispose of the motor vehicle" as state law allows. Connecticut law treats a New Britain car as abandoned once it sits 24 hours on a public street or on public land. The same goes for private property where the landowner never agreed to it.

The project-car exception, in full

Section 16-112 also exempts cars under cover and licensed junkyards. For restorations, it allows "One additional inoperable motor vehicle" as a parts donor, for up to 30 days, with one 30-day extension from the police chief per calendar year. It may not sit in the front yard or side areas, and it must be tarped when no one is working on it. Once the donor car has given what it can, missing parts explains selling what is left.

Winter: the snow routes

From December 1 through April 15, Section 15-118 bans parking on any snow emergency route from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. The routes include stretches of Beaver Street, Brown Street, Columbus Boulevard, Griswold Street, Grove Street and Oak Street. A car that stalls on one must be "towed or pushed off the roadway" right away. Failing to try is its own violation.

The fine is $99, and "Under no condition shall such snow fine double." If the city tows the car and has to guard it, storage runs $20 a day once 24 hours pass without a claim.

Getting a towed car back

Section 15-78 requires proof of ownership at the police department. Next comes payment in cash, money order or bank check. It covers the tow, storage for each day after the first 24 hours, and any unpaid city parking tickets on the car.

Title and plates

Titles come from the Connecticut DMV, not the city. We looked at the DMV office at 60 State Street in Wethersfield, about 7 miles northeast of New Britain in a straight line. The DMV has other offices as well. Selling in New Britain usually means no office visit: sign the title's reverse, give the buyer a bill of sale, keep the plates and cancel online. The cancellation receipt is the proof you sold.

Past 20 model years there is no title, so Form Q-1 and the latest registration go to the buyer instead.

Nearby

Newington is 2.9 miles away, Farmington 4.7, Berlin 4.9 and Wethersfield 6.3. See Connecticut for state rules.

Getting an offer

New Britain sellers can call (877) 421-6008 or reach us online. We pick up cars under tarps, in back yards or at shops.