Selling a dead car in Edina

What Edina counts as inoperable

Section 26-336 defines an inoperable vehicle broadly. It covers "any automobile, truck, trailer, marine craft, snowmobile, motorcycle" and other motorized equipment that cannot run as intended. Towed equipment and unmounted pickup campers get a narrow pass. They are not counted as inoperable if they have all their parts, can operate normally and carry a license "not more than 60 days past its required renewal date."

That 60-day grace is written for trailers and campers. An Edina sedan with a seized engine does not qualify for it.

Where a dead car may sit

The code describes a "nonconforming parking location" on R-1 and R-2 driveways, measured from the street and the side lot line. Recreational vehicles and boats parked there before the ordinance took effect can stay under conditions. The rule for a broken car is short. Section 26-341 says "An inoperable vehicle shall not be parked or stored in a nonconforming parking location," and it "may be parked or stored only in those locations required by section 26-337."

On lots in nonresidential districts, 26-337 bars keeping inoperable vehicles or loose vehicle parts outdoors "for more than 48 continuous hours." Municipal ramps and lots have rules of their own. Under Section 24-396, overnight parking in a city facility needs a temporary or overnight permit.

If the city impounds it

Once the pound keeper takes an Edina car, Section 26-227 treats it as in the city's custody until it is released. Nobody may work on it, and the pound keeper "shall not permit the owner or any other person to take or remove from an impounded vehicle any part." So you cannot pull a battery or a set of wheels at the lot. On release, the code allows only impounding and storage fees.

Paperwork at the Hennepin County office

We checked one Hennepin County center that works for Edina. Suite A-025 sits at 300 South 6th Street, in downtown Minneapolis. Its phone is 612-348-8240, and on a straight line it is about 7 miles northeast of central Edina. Minnesota's other deputy registrar offices can also take the transfer, and drive.mn.gov lists them.

On the back of the title, an Edina seller writes when the sale happened. The price goes in the box for the sales tax declaration. A 2011 or newer car needs an odometer reading, and every car needs a damage disclosure. An Edina seller has ten days from the sale to transfer that title. The Edina buyer then gets 20 calendar days to file for a title under their own name. After that, a $2 late penalty applies and the registration can be suspended.

The plates do not come home with you. For Edina sellers, Statute 168.15 ends your right to use them when the sale happens. The new owner gets them, plus the registration tax you already paid. For a car with no title in hand, see selling with no title.

Nearby

Richfield and St. Louis Park are each 4.0 miles away, Bloomington is 4.8 and Minnetonka 5.5. The Minnesota page has the statewide rules.

Getting an offer

Fill in the form or phone (877) 421-6008. Tell us about your Edina car on the offer form and we'll go from there. Most Edina dead cars sit in an attached garage or on a short driveway, and the truck can load from either. If the city has already sent a letter, read notice to remove a car first.