Selling a dead or junk car in Wakefield

Bylaw 190-18, in two sentences

Section 190-18 of the zoning bylaw covers accessory parking in residence districts. Its first rule: "The ungaraged overnight parking of an unregistered car, truck or trailer is not permitted in any Residential District unless specifically authorized by the Zoning Board of Appeals by special permit." Its second: "No such vehicle shall be stored between the principal building and a street line."

Put plainly, an unregistered car in a Wakefield residential district belongs in a garage. Without a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, it cannot sit outside overnight, and it may not be stored between the house and the street line.

The same section limits commercial vehicles to one per lot and keeps them out of the area right in front of the house unless it is paved and leads to a garage.

The trap in cancelling early

Massachusetts tells sellers to cancel the registration so excise stops accruing. In Wakefield, that same click turns the car into an "unregistered car" for zoning purposes. If it must wait outdoors for pickup, let the buyer take it before you cancel.

A second reason supports that order: after cancellation, the car loses any right to travel public roads in the state. Keep the confirmation on file and send a copy to your insurer.

Signing the title

Wakefield sellers write the odometer reading on the title, and both parties sign, hand-print and date it. A title lacking a price space means the figure travels on a bill of sale. The Registry's instructions skip any notary, and Massachusetts has no release-of-liability form at all; chapter 90D protects a seller once the signed title and the car have been handed over.

Can't find the title? A replacement costs Wakefield owners $25 from the Registry's Title Division, and it may take up to 10 business days, so ask early. Does an old loan still show on the record? The lender must supply a signed letter on its letterhead; see lien still on the title.

Plates

Wakefield sellers hang on to them. Once they are cancelled, cut through them or recycle them, unless they go onto a replacement car in the next 7 calendar days. The Registry hands out no temporary plates.

Neighboring towns

In a straight line, Stoneham is 2.7 miles away, Reading 3.0, Melrose 3.4 and Saugus 3.6. State rules are on the Massachusetts page.

Getting an offer

Selling a car in Wakefield? Call (877) 421-6008 or start with our offer form. In Wakefield, we collect from a garage, a driveway, or a lot close to downtown Main Street.