Selling a dead car in Urbana

The 15-day rule on private property

Section 23-264 makes it unlawful for whoever controls a property, owner, tenant or occupant, to let an inoperable vehicle stay "outside of any enclosed building for more than fifteen (15) consecutive days" after the city's notice to remove or dispose of it. The notice itself says the car must be removed, disposed of, or put in an enclosed building within 15 days of its date. Parking it in a garage takes it out of reach of this section, as does keeping it on the lot of a business lawfully selling, repairing, wrecking or junking cars.

The extension, "of not more than thirty (30) days," needs good cause and an affidavit. One route is that the car's owner lives on the property and the car is held for sale or prompt repair. The other is that the car was disabled in an accident and a damage claim is being investigated or prepared. If you were in a crash, our wrecked car guide may help.

Streets and city property: 72 hours

Section 23-262 allows an inoperable car on a highway or other city property for no more than "seventy-two (72) consecutive hours." After that, Section 23-271 lets the city tow it. A notice goes on the windshield, and when the car shows current plates, the city also sends one by first-class mail to whoever last registered it. You can ask for a hearing by writing to the Chief Administrative Officer at 400 South Vine Street in Urbana "within six (6) days of the date of this notice."

After an impound

Urbana's disposal rules split by age, in Section 23-284. A car seven years old or newer that goes unclaimed for 30 days after notice is sold at public sale. An older car is held at least 10 days while the city tries to reach the owner, and then may be disposed of "as junk only, or at public sale to the highest bidder." Separately, Section 23-219 lets police impound a car with ten or more unpaid parking tickets, but not before the 45th day after a warning is mailed.

Title and plates in Illinois

Titles in Illinois are a Secretary of State matter, processed through Springfield by mail or at the agency's facilities; we have not checked one in Urbana. Selling means keeping your plates, which a buyer is barred from driving on, and completing the Assignment of Title: your signature, the date, both parties' names printed and signed, and the odometer certification. Notarizing is not one of the state's listed seller steps. Hand the buyer a bill of sale recording the price and date, and hold on to their name and address.

After that, send Springfield the Urbana title's Notice of Sale or form VSD 703. The form says "immediately." You stop being responsible for the car, though ownership moves only with the title. A scrap-bound car can instead take a junking certificate, applied for within 15 days, and when no lienholder is on record, the title need not be surrendered for it. Champaign County is outside the emissions-test areas.

Champaign and nearby

Champaign is 4.1 miles away, with rules of its own. Danville sits 31.1 miles off by straight line and Decatur 42.8. See Illinois for statewide rules.

Getting an offer

Have a car in Urbana to sell? Call (877) 421-6008 or fill in the offer form. If a 15-day notice has arrived, mention the date on it; notice to remove a car explains the next steps.