Selling a dead or wrecked car in Meridian

The rest of Section 12-53

The same definition takes in any car whose condition is "wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, inoperable, abandoned or discarded" and that cannot be legally driven on city streets. Section 12-53 separately lists vehicles "left unattended on a public street, road, highway or other public property for a period of at least five (5) days," and junked property "left abandoned or unprotected from the elements," with partially dismantled motor vehicles named. A car rusting uncovered in a Meridian side yard fits that last description.

Before relying on either reading of the sticker clause, ask the city how it applies it today.

Parked on a Meridian street

Section 23-120 lets any traffic or police officer remove and impound a vehicle "improperly or unlawfully stationed, parked or left in any street of the city." The owner gets it back by paying "an impounding fee of ten dollars." That is the city's fee, and it may not be the whole cost.

Two curb rules catch broken-down cars:

• Park on the right-hand side in the direction of traffic, except on one-way streets, and keep the right wheels "within fifteen (15) inches of the curb" when parallel parked (Section 23-106).
• A vehicle "more than eighteen (18) feet long" may never be parked at an angle to the curb (Section 23-114). That matters for a dead full-size pickup or van; see junk truck or SUV.

Salvage, or just old?

In Mississippi, salvage means an insurer took the car from its owner by paying a total loss claim. Age and value can rule that out. At 10 years old or more and $1,500 or less in value, a car falls outside the salvage definition, as does one needing 5 or fewer minor parts. Branded titles in the state include salvage, rebuilt, flood-damaged and hail-damaged, and a salvage-branded title has to pass a Highway Patrol inspection. More in salvage title.

Plates and title in Lauderdale County

A Meridian seller unscrews the plate at the hand-off and turns it in to the Lauderdale County Tax Collector. The unused tag is credited from that turn-in date, and the credit can be spent in any county. In Meridian, complete the whole title except the buyer's printed name and signature. Don't leave the buyer's name spot empty.

A long way from the next town

Meridian sits apart. In a straight line, Starkville is 75.0 miles away, Brandon 76.3, Columbus 79.4 and Hattiesburg 83.0. Statewide rules are on the Mississippi page.

Getting an offer

Use the form or call (877) 421-6008. Meridian sellers can send the car's details through our form. Free pickup covers Meridian, and the truck can load the car downtown, at home or at a shop.