Selling a dead or junk car in Minneapolis

The garage-only rule, and the nuisance rule behind it

Section 555.60 is a zoning rule, and the health code backs it up. Section 227.90 bars an owner, agent or occupant from keeping, among other things, any "inoperable vehicle as defined in the Zoning Code" on private land. Renters are covered too: the section names occupants as well as owners.

Commercial lots are no loophole. Section 319.310 says a licensed parking lot "shall not permit the repairing except in an emergency, dismantling or wrecking of any motor vehicle or the storage of any junk motor vehicle."

Snow emergencies: three days, three sets of rules

When the plows roll through, the car still at the curb is usually the one that won't run. Under Section 478.1000, once the director of public works declares a snow emergency:

• Day 1, from 9 p.m.: nothing may stay on a posted snow emergency route for 11 hours, or until the street is fully plowed.
• Day 2, from 8 a.m.: for 12 hours, no parking on the even-numbered side of other streets.
• Day 3, from 8 a.m.: for 12 hours, no parking on the odd-numbered side.

Park Board roads run on a slightly different clock under PB9-202. Posted snow emergency routes are closed for 11 hours from the start, and all other parkways from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the following day, or until plowed full width.

Away from snow, Section 478.1130 lets police impound an unoccupied car that is so damaged "that it cannot be driven" and blocks the street.

The impound lot, and what happens if no one comes

Section 478.1046 limits who may take a car out of impound: "the registered owner, a person authorized by the registered owner, a lienholder of record, or one who has purchased a vehicle from the registered owner," each with proof. The towing and storage costs are paid at the lot.

If no one comes, Section 478.1150 takes over. The city mails the owner and any lienholder a notice. If the car is not claimed "within fifteen (15) days after the mailing," it is sold. A car that passes pollution control rules may be sold at public sale to the top bidder. The rest go to a limited sale for buyers qualified to "wreck used, secondhand or junked motor vehicles," and those cars cannot be resold to the public except as salvaged parts. Either sale is announced in a newspaper at least three days ahead. If yours is already there, see towed or impounded.

The title office we checked

We checked one Minneapolis title office for this page: Suite A-025, 300 South 6th Street (612-348-8240). It sits less than a mile north of downtown Minneapolis, point to point. Besides Minneapolis offices, nearly 200 deputy registrar offices around Minnesota handle transfers. drive.mn.gov lists Minneapolis offices, or you can phone 651-297-2005.

Minnesota paperwork for a Minneapolis seller

If the title is lost. Use form PS2067A to request a duplicate. Minneapolis owners pay $21.50 mailing it to DVS. At a deputy registrar there's a $1 surcharge on top, and most of those offices print it the same day. Minneapolis requests are accepted from two people only. The first is the owner named on the original Minneapolis title. In Minneapolis, someone with power of attorney acting as the owner's legal representative can also do it.

If there is a loan on it. A Minneapolis transfer with a lender listed needs the lien release card, or a release signed before a notary. Our loan guide covers paying it off.

Signing. A Minneapolis seller completes the assignment section printed on the title's reverse side. For a Minneapolis sale, that covers the price in the sales tax area, the date, the damage disclosure, plus the odometer reading for a 2011 or newer car. The DVS seller steps do not mention a notary.

Plates. Leave them on. Those pass to the Minneapolis buyer, along with the registration tax. Under Minnesota Statutes 168.15, your right to use them ends when the car changes hands.

The Notice of Sale. A Minneapolis seller files it online or by mail within Ten days, giving the buyer's name, address and license number. That filing, under 168A.10, is what keeps you from being treated as the owner if something happens with the car later.

A totaled car. Minneapolis titles get the "salvage" brand when an insurer pays a total loss or the damage passes 80 percent of the car's value. To clear it you pay a $35 DVS inspection fee and a filing fee, and then the title says "prior salvage".

Nearby pages

Golden Valley and St. Louis Park are each 4.8 miles away, Columbia Heights 6.0, Richfield 6.2, and St. Paul has its own page as well. For the rest of the state, see Minnesota.

Getting an offer

In Minneapolis, send the form or call (877) 421-6008. Send the form for a Minneapolis car. A garage, alley stall, ramp or the shop where it died works.