Selling a junk car in Maplewood

The 48-hour conditions

Outside that repair allowance, 18-67 says a Maplewood car is abandoned after more than 48 hours in any one of these conditions:

• parked on public property against city ordinance or state law
• left on someone's private land without that person's consent
• disabled
• open to anyone, not secured from entry
• showing no license plates
• wearing plates that expired more than 90 days ago

Two kinds of car escape the definition: one hidden from neighboring homes by landscaping or a fence, and one inside an enclosed garage or storage building. Licensed businesses are exempt too, including parts dealers, junkyards, salvage yards, repair garages and body shops. Section 18-69 lets the city impound an abandoned or junk vehicle under state law.

Not on the grass

Section 18-33 lists as a nuisance "the parking or storage of a vehicle, or any part of a vehicle, on grass, unimproved areas, or other areas not consisting of a lawfully installed hard surface." The same section bans storing loose vehicle parts and scrap metal outside. Pushing the dead car off the driveway onto the side yard trades one violation for another.

Snow and overnight rules

Section 36-39 sets three street limits:

• 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.: no parking on city streets unless explicitly permitted. Hardship permits come from the chief of police.
• 24 continuous hours: the most any vehicle may stay in one spot, even with an overnight permit.
• After 2 inches of snow: no more than 30 minutes on a street until the snow is plowed or removed.

A car that cannot start also cannot get out of the plow's way, so in Maplewood it belongs off the street before the first storm.

If the car was totaled

A Maplewood car turns into salvage in two cases. A Maplewood car qualifies when the damage passes 80 percent of its value, or when an insurer declares or pays out a total loss. A 2021 to 2026 model gets the "salvage" brand, and older models get "prior salvage." Removing the brand needs a DVS inspection and a $35 salvage inspection fee, and a salvage title renews only once. The salvage title guide covers what this changes when you sell.

Handing over the title and plates

Ramsey County transfers happen at a deputy registrar. There are nearly 200 such offices in Minnesota. To find the nearest office from Maplewood, phone 651-297-2005 or try drive.mn.gov. DVS asks a Maplewood seller to print by hand and sign, add the price and date, and complete the disclosures. It names no notary. The plates stay on the car. Within ten days, the Notice of Sale goes back to DVS, as the tear-off form or as an online report.

Nearby

White Bear Lake is 3.3 miles away, Oakdale 4.0, and Roseville and St. Paul 6.0 each. For statewide rules, see Minnesota.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or use the form for your Maplewood car. We collect from driveways, garages or tow lots.