Selling a non-running car in Elgin

When Elgin calls a car inoperable

Section 6.84.035 uses the same test state law uses. An Elgin car is "inoperable" when, "for a period of at least seven (7) days, the engine, wheels or other parts have been removed," or when it's too damaged to move under its own motor.

Three kinds of car are left out:

• one stored indoors between uses
• an "operable restored vehicle" 25 years old or older
• a car kept at a business that junks or wrecks vehicles

A car down for a short, ordinary repair is not covered either. A transmission job that has stalled for a season is a different story.

Seven days, then storage

After notice arrives, whoever controls the car, or the ground under it, gets seven days. If it is still there, the code says the car "shall be removed by such persons authorized by the city to a lawful place of storage located within the city or one-half (½) mile thereof." The penalty runs "for each day said violation continues."

Where the car cannot wait

Moving a dead car off the driveway does not always help in Elgin:

• Parking lots. Section 6.51.120 bars parking or storing any vehicle "which is not in a condition ready to use" in a parking lot.
• Downtown lots. Six city lots, including the ones at Fulton and Spring Streets and at Raymond and National Streets, have a 72-hour limit.
• Snow routes. Elgin snow routes are off limits for parking for 24 hours once two inches or more of snow falls. Police can have the car towed. The fine is $25, plus the towing and storage costs.
• Junk on a trailer. The city counts inoperable cars and car parts as junk. A truck or trailer carrying them can't remain parked on a city street beyond an hour, or at all from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. On a home lot the limit is one hour unless it is inside a building.

Emissions and the Elgin car

Both of Elgin's counties, Kane and Cook, fall within the state's testing zone. A gasoline car of model year 1996 or later gets its first test at age four. For a waiver after a failed test, an Elgin owner must spend $1,176 or more on emissions repairs, with diagnosis labor left out of that sum. That is often when a seller stops pouring money in. See failed emissions.

Signing the title over

Illinois uses no extra seller paperwork. At the sale, an Elgin seller signs the "Assignment of Title" printed on the certificate, as Illinois law requires. According to the Secretary of State's FAQ, each seller and each buyer must print a name and sign, and the mileage is certified there as well; its step list for sellers says nothing about a notary. Neither Kane nor Cook county handles titles for Elgin. Elgin owners deal with the Secretary of State, at one of its offices or through the mail to Springfield.

Hold on to your plates. Afterward, send off the Notice of Sale, either the stub or form VSD 703, without delay. The Springfield address is printed on the form.

Nearby

From Elgin, South Elgin lies 3.4 miles off as the crow flies, Carpentersville 6.0, Streamwood 7.7, and St. Charles 8.3. State rules are on the Illinois page.

Getting an offer

Elgin owners can call (877) 421-6008 or fill in the short form here. Got an Elgin notice? Its date matters, since your seven days run from it. In Elgin we collect from a house lot, a place near the Fox River, or the garage it died in.