Selling a dead car in Madison Heights

From 72 hours to a tow

Once a car crosses the 72-hour line, police post a notice on it. "If the vehicle is not removed within 48 hours after the date the notice was affixed, the vehicle is deemed abandoned and the police agency may have the vehicle taken into custody."

Within seven days of a Madison Heights tow, police mail the registered owner and any lender a letter stating the car is deemed abandoned. The notice says that failing "to redeem the vehicle or to request a hearing within 20 days after the date of the notice may result in the sale of the vehicle." Once you request a hearing, paying the towing and storage fees gets the car back, with no bond needed. When no owner can be traced, police may sell the car at a public sale at least 30 days after the sale is advertised.

Badly damaged cars move faster

Section 20-71 covers abandoned scrap vehicles. Madison Heights police fill out a release form "Within 24 hours, excluding Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays," after a tow. From there, a scrap metal processor, a tow company or a used-parts dealer takes over the Madison Heights car. Here too, a notice reaches the owner within seven days, and there are 20 days to get the car back or request a hearing. If a court finds the car was not properly deemed abandoned, police repay the towing and storage fees.

The six-hour snow window

Section 26-7 bans parking on every city street during a snow emergency. The ban takes effect "six hours after the declaration has been announced," to give people time to move. After that, police can have any car on the street towed to an impound lot, and the code says no advance notice is required beyond that public announcement. A car that will not start is the one most likely to still be at the curb when the six hours run out.

Handing over a Michigan title

Madison Heights owners get titles from the Michigan Department of State at a Secretary of State branch. As seller, you pass the buyer the original title after writing in the mileage and completing your block, and you and any co-owner sign. The seller steps the SOS publishes list no notary.

Until the buyer transfers it, the state's title record keeps showing you as owner, which is why the SOS suggests going along to a branch together. When both people in a private Madison Heights sale have a Michigan driver's license or ID, the transfer can be done online. SOS may need up to 3 days to approve it. Otherwise, make a front-and-back photocopy of the signed title and keep it 18 months or longer.

Take your plate with you. If it stays on the car, the buyer's parking tickets could come back to you. In Madison Heights, the plate can go onto another car you have or pick up. For a parent's or spouse's car, see car not in your name.

Getting an offer

Selling in Madison Heights? Call (877) 421-6008 or use the short form. Your Madison Heights car can go from a driveway, repair shop or work lot. Royal Oak lies 2.6 miles away and Warren 4.1; look at Michigan for state law.