Selling a dead or junk car in Noblesville

The 20-day rule, written twice

The zoning code agrees. Section 159.016 calls a vehicle inoperative if its engine, transmission or differential is out, if it is "partially dismantled or inoperable," or if it "is at least three model years old, is mechanically inoperative, does not have current license plates, and is left on private property continuously for more than 20 days." Section 99.01's abandoned-car list has a matching entry for a car three or more model years old that cannot run and has sat where the public can see it for over 20 days.

When the city finds a junk vehicle in violation, the property owner is notified "by certified mail, return receipt requested or personally served written notice and asked to abate the nuisance within ten days."

Street and downtown limits

• 72 hours on any street. Section 72.47: "No person shall park a motor vehicle on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours."
• Three days after a tag. On a highway, alley or other public property, Section 99.05 has the officer tag the car and try to reach the owner. If it is still there three days after notice, the officer has it removed "by a junk or salvage yard or wrecker service," and the owner pays.
• Three free hours on the square. Downtown Square spaces are free for up to three consecutive hours a day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with Saturdays, Sundays and city holidays outside that count (Section 72.43). A car that won't restart there runs out of time quickly.

On private land, an owner who finds a car left "for at least 48 hours without the consent" of the owner can call an officer under Section 99.05 or use the state's removal steps.

Where the money goes

Under Section 38.26, money from selling abandoned cars or parts, plus fines, goes into Noblesville's Abandoned Vehicle Fund. The fund pays for removal, towing, storage, disposal and the BMV notices, and its balance does not revert to the General Fund at year's end. State law makes the car's owner liable for those costs, with storage capped at $2,000.

Title and plates

Noblesville owners can do title work at a BMV branch we confirmed in Carmel, 271 Merchants Square Drive, Suite A-100. Measured directly, that's roughly 8 miles southwest of downtown Noblesville. Call 888-692-6841. Titles come from Indiana, so Noblesville owners can visit a branch, a Partial Service Provider or a BMV Connect kiosk.

On the title itself, every listed owner signs and prints. You record the mileage, the sale date, the selling price and the buyer. A Noblesville sale needs no notary under the BMV's seller steps. Keep the plates, since the BMV doesn't take them back. Registration, plate and the new title then fall to the buyer, who gets 45 days.

Noblesville owners missing a title can order a $15.00 duplicate on State Form 205. Noblesville owners don't have to get a new title at all. In Noblesville, State Form 55018, a Certificate of Authority for $4.00, is what lets them scrap the car.

Nearby

Fishers is 5.5 miles from Noblesville, Westfield 7.8, Carmel 9.0 and Anderson 17.1. The Indiana page covers the whole state.

Getting an offer

Start online or call (877) 421-6008. Our form covers what we need about your Noblesville car. Next, our truck heads to the car in Noblesville, whether it's in a side yard, a garage or a lot by the square. For a car that has quit for good, see car doesn't run.