Selling a dead or junk car in Belleville

The seven-day definition

In Section 93.055, a car counts as inoperable if, "for a period of at least seven days," its engine, wheels or other parts are removed, or damaged so it "is incapable of being driven under its own motor power." The rule skips a car laid up just "to perform ordinary service or repair operations".

The Belleville sections we reviewed set no notice period of their own for a dead car on private land. Illinois law, 65 ILCS 5/11-40-3, gives cities the option to treat inoperable cars visible to the public as a nuisance and to let police tow one a week after the city's notice. Belleville is free to add its own rules. Ask Belleville City Hall first instead of assuming you get extra days.

Two inches of snow

Belleville does not wait for anyone to declare a snow emergency. Under Section 74.35, one exists "whenever there is an accumulation of snow and ice of two inches or more," and parking on the posted snow routes ends at once. A car left on a snow route then is "prima facie evidence" against whoever it is registered to. Police can ticket it, and the streets superintendent or police chief can have it removed. A dead car parked out front on a snow route gets that ticket first.

How long the police hold a car

The age of an impounded car decides what happens next:

• Seven years old or newer. If nobody claims it within 30 days after notice, Section 93.063 has the police department sell it at public sale to the highest bidder. Notice of the sale is posted on the lot and sent by certified mail ten or more days before the sale.
• Older than seven years. Section 93.064 holds it "for a minimum of ten days" so police can track down the owner and search State Police theft records. When those ten days pass without an answer from the owner, "the Chief of Police will authorize the disposal of the vehicle as junk only."

Cars impounded for other offenses carry an administrative fee on top of towing and storage, under Section 70.075. That section does not allow seizure when a suspension is only for an unpaid ticket or for failing an emissions test.

Emissions in St. Clair County

Illinois runs emissions testing in St. Clair County as part of its Metro-East area. Gas cars built for 1996 or later start testing at age four. A car from an even model year gets tested in even years, and an odd model year goes in odd years. Your plate expiration picks the month. A repair waiver takes at least $1,176 spent on emissions work. Labor for diagnosis doesn't count. A car that keeps failing can still be sold whole, just as it sits; see failed emissions.

Signing over an Illinois title

Belleville sellers deal with the Illinois Secretary of State, since counties do not issue titles. Fill out the Assignment of Title. Print each name next to its signature and add the miles. No notary is needed in the state's seller steps. Unbolt your plates before the car rolls away. Then promptly send the Notice of Sale stub off the bottom of the title, or form VSD 703, to "Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department, Record Inquiry Division, 501 S. Second St., Room 629, Springfield, IL 62756." Replacing a lost title runs $50 on form VSD 190.

Nearby

Measured as the crow flies, O'Fallon lies 7.1 miles off, Collinsville 11.2 and Granite City 16.5. See Illinois for the state rules.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or use the site. Belleville sellers fill in our short form, and it covers what we need about the car. A Belleville pickup works behind a Main Street storefront, in a backyard holding car number three, or at a garage that already looked it over.