Selling a dead or junk car in Downers Grove

The state's test for an inoperable car

In plain terms, Downers Grove treats a car as inoperable if damage or changes stop it from driving, or if the engine, wheels or other parts are missing for 7 days or longer (or a longer local ordinance period). Being off the road just for ordinary service or repair doesn't count. So a car waiting on a part at your mechanic is treated differently from one sitting on blocks in the side yard.

If a letter or sticker arrives, read which ordinance it cites; that tells you the local deadline. Notice to remove a car walks through the choices.

Cars left where they do not belong

State law has a separate rule for a car someone leaves behind. If a car sits in public view on private land that isn't its owner's for 7 days or more, Downers Grove police may tow it. That covers a dead car left in a friend's driveway or an apartment lot. The car's age decides the next step. One 7 model years old or newer is auctioned publicly when neither owner nor lienholder claims it in 30 days after notice. If it's older, Downers Grove holds it 10 days or more before it can go as junk or salvage. If the car on your land is not yours, see car abandoned on your property.

Junking certificate or salvage certificate

Most dead cars from Downers Grove go out on an ordinary signed title. Illinois also has two certificates for cars that will never be titled again, and the difference matters. Anyone may receive a junking certificate. Selling in Downers Grove? Only four kinds of buyer can take a Downers Grove salvage certificate under Illinois law: licensed rebuilders, automotive parts recyclers, scrap processors and out-of-state salvage buyers. An owner who declares a car junk has 15 days to apply for the junking certificate, and when there is no lienholder the title does not have to be surrendered.

Selling with an Illinois title

Downers Grove titles come from the Illinois Secretary of State, which takes requests at its facilities or through its Springfield mail office. DuPage County does not. Selling a Downers Grove car means completing the "Assignment of Title" part printed on the certificate. That is the only seller form, and Illinois lists no notary step for sellers. Take your plates off, because you keep them. Next, put the Seller's Report of Sale (VSD 703) in the mail at once. That ends your responsibility for the car, though it doesn't transfer ownership.

Lost the Downers Grove title? Form VSD 190 gets a $50 duplicate, but only when the original was lost, stolen or mutilated. In Downers Grove, an owner waits 15 days from an original title, or 30 days from a duplicate, to apply. If an out-of-state buyer ended up with your car and no title, only you, the Illinois owner, can apply. See junk car with no title.

DuPage is in the Illinois emissions-test area, so a car that keeps failing its test is a common reason to sell.

Getting an offer

Downers Grove owners can call (877) 421-6008 or start with the online form. The truck can pick up near the Metra station, at a driveway, or at a shop. Close by: Westmont, Lisle, Woodridge, and the Illinois page.