Selling an inoperable car in South Holland

The exceptions

The code lists four: a car "enclosed within a building on private property," an antique vehicle, one held by a state-licensed business operating in its proper zone, and one parked in an appropriate storage place or depository. A car in an attached garage is fine. One on the parkway apron is not.

What makes a car inoperable here

Section 10-174 gives two tests. South Holland names two kinds. South Holland lists two cases. First, a car in "a state of disrepair rendering the vehicle incapable of being driven." Second, a car unable to run by itself because its engine, wheels or other parts were missing or damaged for "seven (7) days or greater". The code carves out a car laid up only for "ordinary service or repair operations," so a car waiting on a part you are installing is not the target.

Seven days on the notice

Section 10-178 lets the chief of police order removal "after a waiting period of seven (7) days or more." The notice under Section 10-179 must state why the car is presumed inoperable, ask for its removal, and give a deadline "seven (7) days from the date of the notice." It is posted on the car and either handed to the owner or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. Miss the date and the village or its designee removes the car, with the cost charged to the owner. A car that creates a traffic hazard can be moved sooner.

Once it is gone, Section 10-183 lets the owner reclaim it before disposal by proving ownership and paying the village for removal, storage and any sale advertising. If nobody comes, Section 10-182 sends a car "seven (7) years of age or newer" to public auction after 30 days, and an older one to the junk or salvage stream.

No plate, no street parking

Section 10-155.1 adds one more trap for a car that has been sitting. You may not park on any public street in South Holland a vehicle that lacks a current license plate and, if it is registered in the village, a current village vehicle sticker on the windshield. Police may remove and impound it. Stripping the plates and parking the dead car on the street just trades one violation for another.

Illinois title steps from South Holland

Titles for South Holland cars come from the state, not Cook County. That work belongs to the Illinois Secretary of State, either at its offices or by mail through Springfield.

When the car changes hands, you complete and sign the Assignment of Title. Federal and state law want every seller's and buyer's name, both signed and printed, along with the odometer statement. The state's printed seller instructions include no notary step. A brief bill of sale should show the date you sold and the amount. Remove your plates, since they stay yours. South Holland sellers then promptly send the Seller's Report of Sale (VSD 703) to the Record Inquiry Division at the Secretary of State.

The South Holland buyer then has 20 days to get the car titled in their name. No title in hand? See selling with no title.

Next door

Dolton lies 2.2 miles from South Holland in a straight line. Calumet City is 3.3 miles off, Lansing 3.7. More state detail is on Illinois.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or use the form. Fill us in on the car itself, a rough mileage, if it runs, and where the paperwork stands. A truck can collect it at the house, a shop, or the spot where it quit running.