Selling a junk or dead car in Minnesota

Where Minnesota transfers happen

The state issues titles through Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), part of the Department of Public Safety. Paperwork is handled at nearly 200 deputy registrar offices statewide. Look one up at drive.mn.gov, or phone DVS at 651-297-2005.

What you fill in on the title's reverse side:

• your hand-printed name and signature in the assignment area
• the real sale price, in the sales tax declaration box
• the sale date
• the disclosures: damage on every vehicle, and the odometer on 2011 and newer models, for 20 years

DVS lists no notary step for the seller. A lien changes that. To transfer a Minnesota title after that, you need either a notarized lien release or a lien release card. See lien still on the title.

Ten days is the window for completing the transfer on the title. From the assignment, the buyer gets 20 calendar days to seek a new title; past that, registration is suspended, and a $2 late transfer penalty applies.

Plates ride along with the car

Minnesota keeps plates with the vehicle. The buyer inherits them, and the registration tax you already paid goes too, unless you turn in the stickers before the next registration period starts. Section 168.15 says the seller's right to the plates and registration certificate "expires" once ownership changes.

Notice of Sale: your liability shield

Minnesota's version of a release form is the Notice of Sale. Detach the form on the title and return it, or report the sale electronically. List the date of sale plus the buyer's name, address and driver's license number.

File within ten days. Sales to or by a licensed dealer are exempt. Under section 168A.10, once you have handed over the car and followed these steps (or do so within 48 hours of handing it over), you are "not liable" as the owner for harm caused by later driving.

Scrapping a car, title or not

Got the title? The scrap buyer will want it, plus any lien releases, or an impound lot's bill of sale in its place. Bring ID, and sign a statement, under penalty of perjury, saying the car isn't stolen and has no liens.

No title? Section 168A.1501 opens two doors:

• Long off the road. If the car is at least 10 model years old and printed DVS records prove no registration in over seven years, a licensed dealer may buy it for scrap. You still show ID and sign the statement.
• The seven-day hold. A licensed used vehicle parts dealer may take it for dismantling without proof of ownership. You agree to the hold in writing, show ID and sign. The dealer then keeps the car seven straight days, skipping weekends and holidays.

Payment for a no-title scrap car comes only as a check or an electronic transfer, payable to whoever showed the ID.

Replacing a lost title instead? Use form PS2067A: $21.50 mailed to DVS, with $1 more at a deputy registrar, and most of those offices can print it on the spot. The application must come from the owner on the title or a legal representative holding power of attorney.

For a car over five years old with no ownership proof at all, a bonded title is possible. In Minnesota the surety bond has to equal one and a half times what the car is worth.

Salvage, then prior salvage

Two triggers make a Minnesota car salvage: an insurer declaring or paying a total loss, or damage above 80 percent of what the car is worth. The last six model years (2021-2026) count as "late-model or high-value" and carry the "salvage" brand; older cars get "prior salvage."

On the title, "Salvage" sits inside a black box low on the page. Clearing it takes a DVS anti-fraud inspection plus a $35 salvage inspection fee and a filing fee, after which the title reads "prior salvage." Only one registration renewal is allowed while the title still says salvage.

An unrepairable total loss is different. Whoever acquires one surrenders its title and applies for a junking certificate, good only for possessing and hauling the car. Salvage pools and insurers may sell such cars to licensed used parts dealers or scrap metal processors.

The 168B junk-vehicle rules

Minnesota's chapter 168B calls a car a "junk vehicle" when all five fit:

• it is 3 years old or more
• it has no valid current registration plate
• it is heavily damaged, for example missing or broken wheels, motor, drive train or transmission
• it is worth no more than scrap
• it does not appear to run

"Abandoned" is a separate label. It means a car left illegally for 48 hours or more on government property (just 4 hours where signs say so), or on private land without the consent of whoever controls it, that is missing vital parts or does not run. Classic and pioneer cars are exempt, as is any car stored in an enclosed garage or storage building.

46 of our Minnesota town pages quote the city's own code; they are listed below.

When a car gets impounded

Police, cities and counties may impound any junk or abandoned vehicle. The sequence:

1. The registered owner and lienholders get written notice inside five days, weekends and holidays excluded. It goes by mail, or into a newspaper when the owner is unknown.
2. After 15 days from that notice, the car is eligible for sale or disposal. A junk vehicle can be sold even if its plate is valid.
3. The owner or a lienholder can get it back within 15 or 45 days of notice (it depends on the vehicle type) by paying the towing and storage.
4. Once eligible and still unclaimed, it can go to auction.

No emissions testing

Minnesota has no emissions test. A state law ended the Twin Cities carbon monoxide inspection program, and testing was over by March 1, 2000.

Registration lapses on the final day of the month shown on the plate. Renewal online still works if it lapsed under 10 months ago.

Selling in Minnesota, step by step

1. Find the title, or file for a duplicate.
2. Ask for an offer and say where in Minnesota the car sits.
3. Fill in the back: sale price, date, disclosures, signature.
4. Keep the plates on the car.
5. File the Notice of Sale inside ten days.

Biggest cities in Minnesota

Population numbers are U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

All Minnesota town pages

Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Bloomington, Duluth, Brooklyn Park, Woodbury, Lakeville, Plymouth, Blaine, Maple Grove, St. Cloud, Eagan, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Eden Prairie, Apple Valley, Edina, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, Shakopee, Moorhead, Mankato, Cottage Grove, Maplewood, Inver Grove Heights, Richfield, Roseville, Andover, Savage, Rosemount, Brooklyn Center, Fridley, Oakdale, Chaska, Ramsey, Prior Lake, Elk River, Shoreview, Austin, Owatonna, Winona, Chanhassen, Farmington, Faribault, White Bear Lake, Lino Lakes, Champlin, Hastings, St. Michael, Columbia Heights, Crystal, New Brighton, Willmar, Northfield, West St. Paul, Golden Valley, Forest Lake, New Hope, South St. Paul

Rather talk to someone? Call (877) 421-6008.

Cities and towns in Minnesota

• Andover
• Apple Valley
• Austin
• Blaine
• Bloomington
• Brooklyn Center
• Brooklyn Park
• Burnsville
• Champlin
• Chanhassen
• Chaska
• Columbia Heights
• Coon Rapids
• Cottage Grove
• Crystal
• Duluth
• Eagan
• Eden Prairie
• Edina
• Elk River
• Faribault
• Farmington
• Forest Lake
• Fridley
• Golden Valley
• Hastings
• Inver Grove Heights
• Lakeville
• Lino Lakes
• Mankato
• Maple Grove
• Maplewood
• Minneapolis
• Minnetonka
• Moorhead
• New Brighton
• New Hope
• Northfield
• Oakdale
• Owatonna
• Plymouth
• Prior Lake
• Ramsey
• Richfield
• Rochester
• Rosemount
• Roseville
• Savage
• Shakopee
• Shoreview
• South St. Paul
• St. Cloud
• St. Louis Park
• St. Michael
• St. Paul
• West St. Paul
• White Bear Lake
• Willmar
• Winona
• Woodbury