Middletown: selling a car that's dead or junk

What the town calls abandoned

Middletown's abandoned-vehicle chapter reaches any car that is "inoperable, dismantled, wrecked," shows no plates or plates "at least 30 days expired," or is missing major components. On private property, the car also has to appear abandoned. The removal directive the fine refers to is § 163-5.

Parked on a town street

If police have reasonable grounds to believe a car on a public street was abandoned, they put a notice on it where it can be seen. The notice sets a removal time and date "not less than 24 hours following the posting of such notice."

In a driveway or yard

Town code officials share authority with the Middletown Police Department for cars on private property, in any zoning district. Officials can go onto the land to learn who owns the car when it belongs to the property's owner or occupant, or is there with their consent.

Next, the owner is sent written notice. If seven days pass and the car hasn't moved, or no owner can be found, an official or officer can put on a sticker with the time and date. State law allows a tow to storage 24 hours after that sticker goes on. If the car on your lot is someone else's, see car abandoned on your property.

If it gets towed

State law has police mail the owner and any lienholders within 5 days of the removal. Unless the tow and storage costs are paid within 30 days, the car may be sold to cover them. Any money left after that sale can be claimed for 1 year.

The DMV and your title

Delaware issues titles at the state level, from four DMV facilities. The Greater Wilmington facility is at 2230 Hessler Boulevard in New Castle. In a straight line it is roughly 20 miles northeast of central Middletown. Its phone is (302) 434-3200. Another facility is in Dover.

1. Your signature goes in Section 1, on the reverse side of the Delaware title. You don't need a notary.
2. In Middletown, write who is buying it and their address, the day you sold it, the price paid and the miles on the odometer.
3. Detach the Seller's Report of Sale and mail it to P.O. Box 698, Dover, DE 19903, with the date and hour of sale.
4. Remove the plates. Retain them at the DMV if you want to keep the number.

No title? You can get a duplicate on form MV213 for $50.00. A Middletown car whose title was lost or destroyed can also go to a licensed recycler on DMV forms, when it is over 8 years old and has no engine or can't operate at all.

Nearby towns

Newark is 16.3 miles away in a straight line, Dover 22.2 and Wilmington 22.5. For statewide details, see Delaware.

Getting an offer

Use the form or call (877) 421-6008. Tell us about your Middletown car on the offer form. Pickup is set for a new-build driveway, a townhouse lot, or the spot where it quit.