Selling a junk car in West Haven

The blight definition

A property in West Haven counts as not maintained when it shows one or more listed conditions. Missing windows and collapsing roofs are on that list, and so are "abandoned and/or inoperable motor vehicles situated on the premises." The brief we have cuts that clause off before its exception ends, so the city may allow some cases. The city's code does not give a junk car its own section, and we did not find a removal clock.

State law fills part of the gap. West Haven has to send the owner written notice and allow a fair chance to fix blight before taking action. Each town works out the details. West Haven may have its own steps and deadlines, so read any notice for the date.

State rules once the car leaves the driveway

Connecticut's abandoned-vehicle statutes apply in every town, West Haven included:

• West Haven treats it as an infraction when a car sits past 24 hours along a highway or on private land the owner never okayed. The fine starts at $85.
• If a car looks abandoned or unregistered and gets a notice sticker, it can be removed and stored, with the owner paying, after 24 hours.
• State police, DMV inspectors or local police may take away a car that endangers traffic or public health or safety, whether it sits on a highway or not.
• When West Haven takes a car worth $500 or less, the old owner has one year to claim the sale money, less costs. After that it goes to the town.

Salvage titles from a crash or flood

Along the shore, some dead cars come with an insurance history. Connecticut has no percent-of-value test for a total loss. When an insurer takes a totaled car to sell, the title gets a SALVAGE stamp. With ten or more major parts wrecked past repair, the stamp reads SALVAGE PARTS ONLY. Driving a SALVAGE car in West Haven isn't allowed until it clears a salvage inspection and is re-titled. A parts-only car can never be rebuilt. Either one can still be sold whole. Insurer totaled it covers keeping or selling one.

Title office and plates

There is no city title office; the Connecticut DMV issues titles. We checked the office at 1985 State Street in Hamden, about 6 miles northeast of downtown West Haven on a map. There are other DMV offices, and most take appointments.

You can finish the sale without going there. Endorse the title on its reverse side and pass it along with a bill of sale. Take the plates, since the seller keeps them. Cancel the registration through the DMV website. The receipt it issues is what you show the assessor if a property-tax bill arrives later. Cars past 20 model years carry no title; Form Q-1 and the newest registration are used instead.

Nearby

New Haven is 3.5 miles from West Haven, East Haven 5.8 and Hamden 9.0. The Connecticut page has state rules.

Getting an offer

Use the form or call (877) 421-6008. Use the form for your West Haven car. Our truck can come near the Green, to a beach-area driveway or to a body shop.