Selling a junk car in South Windsor

When a car becomes debris

The blight definitions in section 50-93 cover the land and parking areas around a building, not just the building. The town manager or zoning enforcement officer decides whether a condition exists. Debris includes "junk comprised of equipment such as automobiles, boats, and recreation vehicles which are unregistered and missing parts, not complete in appearance and in an obvious state of disrepair," along with "parts of automobiles."

Read that closely. The wording joins the conditions with "and." A registered car that runs badly, or an unregistered one that is complete, does not plainly match it. A plate-less car up on blocks with the hood off does.

The same section treats "the storage of six or more tires outdoors" as blight, unless the tires belong to a DMV-licensed business or a tire seller or recycler. A stack of spares beside a dead car can be its own problem.

How towns enforce blight is set by the state: the owner must get written notice and a reasonable opportunity to make repairs. Whatever deadline South Windsor sets should appear in that notice.

Storms, streets and the pound

Section 94-136 has a weather rule worth knowing. "No vehicle shall be parked on the public streets of the town during a snow or ice storm that has been in progress one hour and continuing for a period of 24 hours after the storm has ended." Any car still there between two and six in the morning during that window is treated as parked overnight. If the car is dead, you can't get it clear of the plow.

The same section lets police tow a car that is "a menace to traffic," is apparently abandoned on a public highway, or is parked there without proper registration. Towing follows C.G.S. 14-150. South Windsor releases a towed car once you prove your identity and your ownership to the chief of police or the chief's chosen person. Then pay for towing and storage.

State law then sets the clock. After a South Windsor tow, a certified letter should reach you within two days, and you have 10 days to fight it. South Windsor can sell it after 15 days if its value is $1,500 or less. If it's worth more, the wait is 45 days.

Title and plates

Measured on a map, central South Windsor sits about 9 miles northeast of the Wethersfield DMV at 60 State Street. Only that agency issues Connecticut titles, and most of its offices take appointments.

Steps for the seller:

• Title: sign it on the back as the seller and turn it over. Past 20 model years, the car has no title. Use Form Q-1 with the latest registration.
• Bill of sale: H-31 from the DMV, or your own sheet carrying the price, date, VIN, color, model year, make and model, both parties and their addresses, plus your signature.
• Notary: not part of the DMV's seller steps.
• Plates: yours to remove. Cancel online and keep the receipt.
• Insurance: leave it in force until cancellation is complete.

If the town assessor bills you for a car that is gone, the receipt and your sale paperwork settle it.

Getting an offer

Fill out the form or call (877) 421-6008. Running or dead, South Windsor cars are welcome. Our truck can reach a farm field near the Podunk River, a cul-de-sac, or a body shop lot. Nearby: Manchester, Windsor and East Hartford. Statewide rules are on Connecticut.