Selling a dead or junk car in McHenry

Seven days after the letter

The deadline sits in Section 5-8-5. A person must "dispose of any inoperable motor vehicle(s) under their control within seven (7) days after written notice is received from the Corporate Authorities of the City or from the Chief of Police or his designee."

Two details in that sentence matter. The clock runs from when the notice is received. And it says "under their control," so the duty follows whoever has the car, not only the name on the title. The definition exempts only "a motor vehicle on the premises of a place of business engaged in the wrecking or junking of motor vehicles."

When the city takes it

Section 5-8-7 lets the police chief or a designee remove "any vehicle left at any place within the City" that appears to break the chapter, appears lost, stolen or unclaimed, "or which is an inoperable vehicle."

Getting it back is possible "at any time after its removal, but prior to the sale or destruction thereof." Under Section 5-8-9 you bring proof of ownership and pay the police chief the actual cost of removal, including any advertising for a sale, plus forty dollars for each day. For a car that was already worth little, those days add up against you.

How a scrap truck must look in McHenry

The city code also spells out markings for junk haulers. Section 4-10-21 says every licensed junk or scrap collection vehicle must be marked "on both sides and the rear" with the licensee's name, street address and phone number. Applicants must show proof of liability insurance and a safety sticker. It is a quick way to tell a licensed hauler from someone passing through.

Emissions and a car that sat

McHenry County is on Illinois's emissions-test list. Testing picks up gas cars of model year 1996 and later at four years old, timed to the month the plates expire. If a parked car failed its test, see registration hold.

The state's side of the sale

There is no county title office in McHenry County for this. The Illinois Secretary of State runs titles, by mail to Springfield or at its offices.

Under state law, everything the seller does happens on the certificate. At the McHenry handoff, complete the Assignment of Title and put your signature on it. There is no extra transfer form, and the state's seller instructions do not mention a notary. Add both printed names and the mileage. Draw up a dated bill of sale with the amount. Keep your plates. McHenry sellers send the Secretary of State a Notice of Sale or VSD 703 "immediately." After it arrives, the car is no longer on you. The buyer becomes the owner once they apply for a title. A replacement title costs $50 on form VSD 190, but the state will not issue one in the first 15 days after the original; see junk car with no title.

Getting an offer

Phone (877) 421-6008 or use the form. For a McHenry car, the quick offer form is the place to start. The pickup can be at a driveway, a gravel lot or the shop where it died. Crystal Lake is about 7.4 miles away, Woodstock 7.6, Lake in the Hills 10.9 and Algonquin 12.3. For state rules, see Illinois.