Selling a junk or dead car in Zion

How Zion's code describes a dead car

Section 90-132 calls a car inoperable when, "for a period longer than seven days," its engine, wheels or other parts are damaged or altered so it is "incapable of being driven under its own motor power." Three more sections close the gaps:

• 90-311 bars keeping an inoperable vehicle in city limits unless it is "stored in an enclosed building" or is kept at a lawful business whose work requires it.
• 62-401 says no vehicle may remain "in a state of major disassembly, stripped and/or dismantled, except when confined within a closed garage." It also lists an "abandoned or inoperative vehicle or parts thereof" among the things a yard must be kept clear of.
• 90-312 makes it unlawful to abandon a car "or any part thereof" on a city street or public right-of-way.

When the code official names a property a nuisance under 62-401, written notice goes to the owner, operator, agent or lienholder. The owner must "immediately act to abate." Should the owner stall, Zion fixes it itself and sends the bill, or goes to court for the money.

The curb and the $350 fee

A dead car on the street breaks a different line of 90-132: no one may leave a wrecked or inoperable car "on any street or highway within the city." Section 90-144 also caps parking on the streets and lots it lists, at two hours in eight in some places and eight hours in 24 in others.

For police tows, Zion adopts the towing sections of the Illinois Vehicle Code, starting at 625 ILCS 5/4-201. Section 90-322 then adds a $350 administrative fee per vehicle, per tow, and the tow yard cannot release the car until you show a receipt for it. The fee covers police tows in the city. It does not apply to a tow after a simple accident or roadway breakdown that has nothing to do with an arrest. When the city tows, it must try to tell the owner about the seizure and the right to an administrative hearing.

Signing over a Zion car

You can't get a title from Lake County. Records sit with the Secretary of State, which has local facilities and a mailing address in Springfield. Your part as seller:

1. On a Zion title, the Assignment of Title block needs your signature, printed name, the date and the odometer reading. The Secretary of State seller steps list no notary.
2. Remove the plates. In Zion they're yours to keep, and the buyer can't drive the car on them.
3. Make a Zion bill of sale with what was paid, when, and who bought it and where they live.
4. Zion sellers mail the Notice of Sale strip from the bottom of the title. No strip? File a VSD 703. Illinois says to do it immediately.

Lost the title? Replacing it runs $50 with form VSD 190. Our junk car with no title guide walks through it.

Lake County emissions

Zion's county is on the state's emissions-testing list. Gas cars from model year 1996 on are first tested at four years old and every two years after that, with odd model years tested in odd years. A failed test on a tired car is often where people stop paying; see failed emissions.

Getting an offer

Ring (877) 421-6008 or fill out the form above. Fill in the form for your Zion car. Our truck can reach it on a side street off Shiloh Boulevard, at a shop lot, or wherever it quit. Close by, we also have pages for Waukegan, Gurnee and North Chicago, and the Illinois page covers the state rules.