Selling a dead or junk car in Chelsea

Street rules in Chelsea's code

Section 28-3 has two speeds. For a registered car that is inoperable or abandoned, the clock is three days: vehicles "left standing on any public street, way, place or private way, open to the public for at least 72 consecutive hours shall be towed at the expense of the owner." For an unregistered one, there is no clock at all. Even after a tow, Chelsea holds the last registered owner responsible for parking and standing tickets.

Snow tightens things. Section 5-18 bars any car registered in your name from streets signed "Emergency Arteries" once snow or ice reaches "a depth of two (2) inches or more." Chelsea then bills removal and storage on top of a fine. Under Section 10-10, the Director of Public Works can declare a snow emergency, announced through news outlets and the snow emergency lights, which turns the listed streets into tow zones. And Section 2-3 lets the police chief close a street to parking for a short spell. Cars left behind "may be moved under the direction of a police officer."

Keeping a dead car on a Chelsea lot

Zoning has a two-week limit. Section 34-78, among Chelsea's special dimensional regulations, reads: "No motor vehicles in an inoperative condition are to remain on such site for more than a two week period unless enclosed in a building." That line belongs to rules for particular kinds of sites, so confirm with City Hall how your parcel is classed before assuming you have longer.

Massachusetts adds its own backstop in c. 90 s. 22C. A Chelsea street officer may haul off a car as trash when three things hold. It looks abandoned. It has sat on someone else's land past 72 hours without permission. And towing it costs more than its value.

Title and plates, from a Chelsea seller's side

In this state, titles belong to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Nothing in its seller instructions mentions a notary. The seller writes the odometer reading on the back of the title, then signs, prints a name and adds the date. The buyer then does the same. Is there a line for the price? Use it. If there isn't one, a separate bill of sale carries the price. The buyer's licensed insurance agent handles stamping their application.

Plates leave with you. Once the car is gone, log into MyMassGov, cancel the registration, save the confirmation, and pass a copy to whoever insures you. Then a Chelsea owner either cuts the plates in two, recycles them, or puts them on another vehicle, all within 7 calendar days. Chelsea's excise, $25 per $1,000 of value, stops only when the registration is cancelled. As for liability, c. 90D s. 15 covers a Chelsea seller after the assignment is signed and the car is given to the buyer. No extra release form needs filing. The full wrap-up is in after you sell.

Nearby

Straight-line distances from Chelsea: Everett 1.3 miles, Revere 2.7 and Boston 4.1. For statewide rules, see Massachusetts. Already towed? Read towed or impounded.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or use the form. Fill in the short form for a Chelsea car. Our truck can collect from the curb, a shared driveway, or your spot at work.