Selling a dead car in Acworth

How Acworth defines a junk car

Section 73-15.4 gives two related terms. An "inoperative vehicle" is any car, trailer or part of one (farm equipment aside) that is dismantled and inoperative, wrecked and inoperative, or abandoned, and "which does not have a current Georgia State Motor Vehicle Tag, if required." A junk vehicle is one that is "wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, inoperative, abandoned, discarded, and/or which does not have a valid license plate attached."

Note the "and/or." A car with a missing plate can fit the junk definition even if it would still start.

Junk cars at home

Section 73-9.9 says "Junk vehicles, as defined in Section 73-15.4 are considered outside storage" and fall under the outside-storage rules in Section 73-7.1.2. The same section adds that "Vehicle repair may not be conducted on vehicles located on any public street." Trailers, boats and RVs go to the side or rear of the house on an improved surface such as concrete or pervious pavers, or inside an enclosed structure.

Even businesses approved for junked or disabled vehicle lots face a limit: under Section 73-8.7.3, no single car may sit in the storage area for more than four weeks unless the business is approved as a storage or junk yard.

Public parking areas

Section 90-51 is blunt. Any car in a designated public parking area "shall have current registration, valid insurance and shall be in operable condition." Repairs are banned there, and so is overflow from a repair shop or hobbyist. "Any vehicle that gives the appearance of being inoperable or under repair shall be in violation." The penalty can be impoundment and a fine of not less than $50.00, plus towing and storage fees.

If the car is impounded

The chief of police authorizes private companies to tow and store impounded cars in a secured, enclosed yard, and each one keeps its towing fee and daily storage fee on record with the city clerk (Section 90-42). Section 102-40 and O.C.G.A. § 40-11-1 give an owner the right to recover a seized car right up to its sale or destruction, as long as they show ownership and pay the towing and storage charges.

Cobb County title office

We looked up one Cobb County Tax Commissioner office: 4400 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, reached at (770) 528-8600. It is roughly 16 miles southeast of downtown Acworth if you draw a straight line. Cobb may run other locations as well.

Georgia title steps from Acworth

Turn the original title over to the assignment part. Print your name and sign in the Seller spot, then put down the miles with no tenths. Every joint seller prints and signs. Do not erase anything. Changes can make the title void, and a changed purchase date can lead to a $10 penalty.

Keep the plate; in Georgia it stays with the seller. Next, end the Acworth car's registration through DRIVES e-Services or Form MV-18J, and keep the insurance until that step is finished. Cobb belongs to the metro Atlanta emissions area, where 2024 and newer models skip testing for 2026 registration.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or go online. Use the offer form for your Acworth car. We collect off Main Street, from a driveway or from a shop. Kennesaw sits 4.4 miles from Acworth, and the Georgia page covers statewide rules.