Selling a junk or inoperable car in Stoughton

What the bylaw calls junked or inoperable

The definition has three parts, and a car has to meet all of them. It is "found unattended without the current year's registration plates or inspection sticker as required by law", it "has been continuously parked on any public land or private property for a period of 30 days", and it "is so disabled as to be incapable of being operated under its own power."

The duty that follows reaches more than owners. It is unlawful for "any owner, tenant, lessee or anyone else in charge or control of any property in the Town of Stoughton" to let such a car remain "for a period of more than 30 days." Tenants are on the hook too.

Repair shops get an exception. The bylaw excludes "The storage of any motor vehicle on the premises of a garage or service station when such motor vehicle is being repaired or is scheduled on the records of said garage or service station for repair."

The 24-hour notice and the tow

These cars, the bylaw says, "shall be removed by the owner or operator thereof or by the owner or occupant of the property." Notice arrives "either by personal service or by certified mail." Then the short clock starts. If the car is not removed "within 24 hours after receiving notice from the Police Department or Town Manager," the town may remove it. The Police Department "shall have the right to have any offending motor vehicle towed from its location on private property to any of the storage garages designated."

Storage then piles up. When Stoughton police tow a passenger car to a fenced, lit, secure lot, Chapter 159B sets $35 a day as the most it can charge. Other lots get half that. The lot may hold a lien on the car. See notice to remove a car for what to do on day one.

Junked status versus a title you can sign

Many Stoughton owners assume a scrapped car still has a title worth signing. Not in Massachusetts: "Junked" status marks a car that cannot run and has been scrapped, and no title or registration will ever issue for it again. A car that has not reached that point still carries an ordinary title, signed over like any other. The nonrepairable title guide explains the difference.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) never asks a Stoughton seller for a notary in its private-sale steps. Start with the odometer reading in Stoughton. Next, the Stoughton buyer and seller each sign, print a name and write the date. When a Stoughton title has no line for the sale price, put that amount on a bill of sale instead. After you sign and the buyer drives or tows it off, c. 90D s. 15 keeps you clear of whatever happens next.

Plates

The plates are yours to keep. Stoughton excise stops once you cancel the registration online. Save the receipt, then recycle the plates or cut them through. Stoughton plates can also move to a replacement car within 7 calendar days.

Getting an offer

For a Stoughton car, call (877) 421-6008 or start with our offer form online. Free pickup anywhere in the US covers a Stoughton yard, a lot by the station, or a garage in Canton or Brockton. Statewide rules are on the Massachusetts page.