Selling a dead or junk car in Prairie Village

Section 8-211 and the 48-hour window

The city adopted the property maintenance code's motor vehicle section with its own changes. The key sentence: "In no event shall an owner or person in possession maintain a motor vehicle on his or her premises in an inoperable condition for a period in excess of forty-eight (48) hours unless such vehicle is placed in an enclosed structure."

What else the section covers:

• The curb, too. It reaches a car "that is inoperative or unlicensed" on the land or "on the public street adjacent thereto."
• Driveways. Parking an inoperable car "upon a street, driveway, (except in an enclosed structure)" is unlawful.
• Home repairs. An owner who has "temporarily placed their motor vehicle in an inoperable condition while working on the vehicle" is exempt only when the work is done inside an enclosed structure "designed and approved for such use."
• The notice. It carries the date and time it was issued. If the car is not running, gone or enclosed within 48 hours of that, "a citation will be filed" in municipal court.

Street rules that catch dead cars

Section 11-801 lets police have a car towed when it is left "abandoned or left unattended on a street, public road, highway or public property for a period of time in excess of 48 consecutive hours." It can also be towed when it is so disabled it blocks traffic and nobody can move it.

Section 11-707 limits anything other than a passenger vehicle to two hours on a city street in the hours from just after midnight until six in the morning.

A dead camper under the RV rule

Recreational vehicles and trailers get their own parking rules in Section 11-1502. Permanent parking at an approved spot requires that they "are operable and carry a current license where required." A camper with a seized engine or lapsed tags does not meet that condition. The same section does allow short stays on the driveway for loading, unloading, cleaning and minor emergency repair, "for a period not to exceed seven days within any 30 day period."

Title and plates for a Prairie Village car

Title work goes through the Johnson County treasurer's motor vehicle office. Kansas keeps the seller's side short. On the back of the title, both of you print and sign below where the price, date and mileage go. No notary is needed, and the buyer's name may not be left blank. Copy both sides before the car leaves.

The plates are yours by statute, because the registration ends when ownership changes. Moving that plate to your next car is $1.50. The old one has to be sold first, or within 60 days of the new purchase. Kansas has no safety or emissions inspection to deal with first. A lost title costs $10 to replace. See after you sell.

Neighbors

Leawood is 5.5 miles away as the crow flies, Overland Park 7.4 and Lenexa 9.1. For cars that simply will not start, see car doesn't run. The Kansas page covers the state.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or use the form for an offer on your Prairie Village car. If the car is in a garage to stay inside the 48-hour rule, the truck can pick it up from there.