Selling a dead or junk car in Westland

Three ways a Westland car becomes junked

• Not licensed for the road for more than ten days.
• No license plates attached. The code writes no waiting period for this one.
• Inoperative for more than ten days, "whether so licensed or not."

The same section defines junk as including "parts of motor vehicles" stored in the open, "whether or not such material could be put to any reasonable use." A pile of parts in the yard is covered, not only whole cars.

The plate problem

Michigan's rule is that the plate goes with the seller. You remove it at the sale and keep it for another vehicle you own or buy, or let it go with the car only when the person taking it is your spouse, parent, brother, sister or child. Under Westland's definition, though, a car standing without plates is junked. So the order matters here. Line up the pickup first, then pull the plate the day the car leaves, rather than unbolting it weeks ahead and leaving a bare car on the driveway.

Where the car sits

Westland limits where any car may be left. Section 98-9 bars parking "in the clear vision area of a right-of-way which is between the street and the sidewalk," and on any cul-de-sac unless the city council approved it and posted signs. Section 62-1 says service stations "shall not store junked, unlicensed or dismantled automobiles," so a gas station lot is no place to leave a dead car either.

If the Westland Police Department tows or impounds a car, Section 98-7 makes the owner pay the city an administrative impound and towing fee set by the city's fee resolution. After that, state law runs the clock. The Secretary of State identifies the owner within 7 days. Westland then gives the owner 20 days to reclaim the car or request a hearing, and only after that can it be sold. See towed or impounded.

Signing it over under Michigan law

Westland titles don't come from Wayne County. They come from Michigan's Secretary of State branch offices. A Westland seller hands over the original title, because copies aren't accepted, writes in the odometer reading, fills in the seller's lines and signs, along with any co-owner. No notary is listed among the SOS seller steps.

Until the buyer files the transfer, the state record still shows you. A Westland seller is covered in two ways. Westland sellers can visit a branch office with the buyer. The other Westland option is to save, for 18 months, a copy of the signed-over title. A sheet with the price, date, and buyer's signature, name, address and license number works too. Without a title, see selling with no title; for what comes after pickup, see after you sell.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or fill out our form to get an offer on your Westland car. In Westland, we can load it from your driveway, the curb in front, or a repair shop. Nearby pages cover Garden City, Inkster and Livonia; state rules are on Michigan.