Selling a junk or dead car in Mankato

What 11-35 forbids, and where

The prohibition is broad. It is unlawful "to park, store or leave any junked motor vehicle, whether attended or not, upon any public or private property within the city," and an owner or occupant may not permit it either, "unless such junked motor vehicle is within an enclosed building." The code calls a junked vehicle outside those limits "a public nuisance which shall be abated."

The definition of motor vehicle runs wider than cars. It names buses, motorbikes, motor scooters, trucks, tractors, "go-carts, golf carts, campers and trailers." A trailer with lapsed plates in a side yard is inside the rule.

The traffic chapter's own definitions

Chapter 16 has a second set of terms, used when a vehicle is towed. An abandoned vehicle there is one left "for a period of more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the person in control of such property," among other conditions. "Vital component parts" means parts "essential to the mechanical functioning of the vehicle, including, but not limited to, the motor, drive train, and wheels." Licensed junkyards and automobile graveyards are carved out.

The zoning chapter adds a related idea. Section 10-2 defines outside storage as keeping goods or materials in an unroofed area "for more than 24 hours."

Street clocks: 24 hours and 12 hours

Section 16-170 limits parking in one spot on an unmetered street to "24 continuous hours." It covers the driver or registered owner, "whether knowingly or unknowingly." It also covers a car "covered with snow that has a windrow of snow around or near it such that it impedes the safe removal of snow." A dead car left at the curb while the plows go by fits that rule exactly.

Section 16-173 is shorter still. Where temporary restricted parking signs are posted, "Vehicles left in areas which have been posted as temporary restricted parking for more than 12 hours after the posting may be towed."

After a tow

State law takes over once a junk or abandoned car is towed. The city of Mankato has five days, not counting weekends and holidays, to notify the owner and lienholders in writing. When 15 days have run from that notice, a junk car can be auctioned or scrapped, current plate or not. See towed or impounded for what that means for your paperwork.

Three counties, one title system

Mankato reaches into Blue Earth, Nicollet and Le Sueur counties, which makes no difference to the sale. No matter which county you live in, titles come from DVS and the counter work happens at a deputy registrar office. The state has nearly 200 of them, and 651-297-2005 can tell you which is handy.

Your part of the title is the seller's assignment. State law asks for the actual selling price there, and DVS adds the sale date, a damage disclosure on every vehicle, and an odometer statement on model year 2011 and later. A notary is not among the seller steps DVS lists. A Mankato title that still names a bank as lienholder goes out with that bank's release, the lien card or a notarized release.

Mankato plates do not come off. Minnesota passes them, and the tax already paid on them, to whoever buys the car. You get ten days for the Notice of Sale. Mail the part torn from the title, or report online with the date and the buyer's details. Doing so ends your exposure as the owner of record.

When the title is missing

Replacing it means form PS2067A. DVS releases a duplicate only to the owner printed on the original or that owner's legal representative. Expect $21.50 if you mail it in; a deputy registrar counter adds $1.

With no ownership papers at all, the options narrow. To have a licensed used parts dealer dismantle your Mankato car, show ID, sign the required statement and put a seven-day hold in writing. You are then paid in your name by check or electronic transfer only. Mankato owners of a car past five years old have another option, a bonded title. In Mankato, the bond a seller needs is the car's value multiplied by one and a half. See junk car with no title.

Nearby

Faribault is about 36 miles away as the crow flies, Owatonna about 37 and Northfield about 44. The Minnesota page covers the statewide rules.

Getting an offer

Send the form or phone (877) 421-6008. Send the form for your Mankato car. We come to home garages, student apartment lots or the bay where it quit.