Selling a dead or junk car in Royal Oak

The 48-hour rule

Section 716-4 is aimed at whoever controls the property, "whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or otherwise." None of them may let a "partially dismantled, nonoperating, wrecked, junked, or discarded vehicle" stay longer than 48 hours. Renters are covered, not just homeowners.

The only lasting storage the code describes is behind a solid fence. Wrecked or dismantled vehicles may be stored "in a storage area completely enclosed by a solid fence six feet in height." Most driveways off Main Street or Woodward have nothing like that, which is why the 30-day selling exception matters.

Nothing dead on the street

Royal Oak sets no clock for the street, because Section 716-3 allows none: "No person shall leave any partially dismantled, nonoperating, wrecked, unlicensed, or junked vehicle on any street or highway within the City." Pulling a car to the curb to free up the driveway does not help.

Section 716-1 adds a broader rule. Royal Oak's rule covers 48 hours untouched on a street, alley or other public spot, and also private land the landowner didn't okay. Such a car "shall be deemed an abandoned vehicle."

Proving the car is gone

Selling the car does not take your name off it. A Royal Oak seller remains on the state title record until the buyer transfers it, so the Secretary of State suggests going to a branch as a pair. If a Royal Oak seller skips that, MCL 257.240 calls for keeping sale records at least 18 months. That record is either:

• a Royal Oak photocopy of the title after signing, or
• a Royal Oak sale note signed by the buyer with the price, date, and their name, address and driver's license number.

Do neither and it is a $15 civil infraction. On top of that, if the buyer ditches the car, the law assumes you owe the towing and storage.

For a sale between two individuals who both hold a Michigan license or ID, the state offers an online transfer. Approval can take up to 3 days.

Title and plate basics

Oakland County plays no part in titles. Royal Oak residents get them at Secretary of State branches run by the Michigan Department of State. Fill out the odometer statement and seller part on the original title, sign it with any co-owner listed, and give it to the buyer. Those seller steps list no notary. You keep the plate, so pull it off. Leave it on in Royal Oak and the new owner's parking tickets might reach you. The rest is in after you sell.

Getting an offer

Selling a car in Royal Oak? Call (877) 421-6008 or fill in our short form. With 30 days on the clock, a quick quote helps. We can load it from your own driveway, a shop in Madison Heights, or your parent's place in Birmingham. Michigan has the statewide rules.