Selling a dead or junk car in Bettendorf

Section 6-1-89 in plain terms

The rule reaches owners, tenants, occupants and lessees alike. The 48-hour limit covers anyone in charge of the property. The 72-hour limit covers anyone who leaves such a car "on any property within the city." Three places are exempt: "an enclosed building," a business that needs the car for its lawful work, and a storage place the city keeps.

The same section bars leaving any car where it would "reasonably" appear "to have been abandoned." On public property, a Bettendorf car lacking current plates, or short of wheels so it cannot run, is abandoned at 24 hours.

At least ten days to fix it

Bettendorf does not move straight to towing from a yard. The code promises "A reasonable amount of time, not less than ten (10) days" for the owner of an abandoned or inoperable vehicle on private property "to abate the violation." That window can be used to repair the car, store it indoors or sell it.

Snow emergency: four hours to move

When the mayor declares a snow emergency, Section 6-1-142 says anyone with a car on a city street must "remove it within four (4) hours of the declaration." Parking then alternates. Two-sided streets take cars on the even-address side on even-numbered dates and switch to the odd-address side on odd dates. On one-sided streets, parking is allowed only on odd days.

Some listed streets carry a separate rule. After "a total accumulation of two inches (2")" of snow, no one may park on them until they are cleared. The 15th Street and 18th Street public lots close from midnight until eight in the morning after the same snowfall. Under 6-1-129, a car parked against these rules may be removed "to a place of storage designated by the chief of police."

Title and plates in Scott County

In Bettendorf, the Scott County treasurer handles titles, plates and junking certificates. On the back, sign as seller and add the date plus the buyer's name and address. Give the buyer the last county of registration and its expiration date. A damage disclosure applies to model years seven old or newer, and an odometer statement to nine or newer.

Iowa plates go home with the seller, even when a dealer takes the car.

A total-loss car may already wear a salvage title. Iowa brands one when fixing it would eat more than 70 percent of its fair market value, or after weather damage like a flood. See wrecked or totaled.

Next door and nearby

Davenport begins 6.6 miles off as the crow flies. Clinton is 22.5 miles, Muscatine 32.3 and Iowa City 54.8. Statewide rules are on the Iowa page.

Getting an offer

Tell us about your Bettendorf car at (877) 421-6008 or on the offer form. Our truck can reach it at home, in a parking garage, or at a body shop lot near I-74.