Selling a junk or dead car in Elko

What Elko counts as junk or unregistered

The definitions in Section 5-1-2 cover a vehicle that "has been ruined, wrecked, dismantled or rendered inoperative." They also cover one with no "evidence of current registration" from Nevada or another state. Elko's solid-waste chapter, Section 9-2-2, lists junk vehicles next to garbage, waste tires and discarded appliances.

There is one carve-out. The nuisance rule does not reach junk or unregistered vehicles on private property "used by any person engaged in the restoration" of a car that can be registered as a street rod, classic rod or classic vehicle.

How the city moves on it

For a car an officer believes is abandoned, the notice is a citation for illegal parking. If the car has not been removed within "forty eight (48) hours," police can tow it from the street.

For a junk or unregistered car on a lot, a notice of violation comes first. If the owner does not act on it, the code lets several officials have the car towed, including the city manager, building inspector, fire chief and city engineer. Removal and storage costs fall on the owner and any "secured parties," and also on the property owner or responsible party where the car sat. So a lender that still holds the title, and a landlord, can both end up sharing the bill.

What happens to a car nobody claims

State law has its own path for a cheap, unregistered wreck. NRS Chapter 487 calls it a junk vehicle: abandoned or wrecked, useless for its purpose, worth $500 or less as scrap, and either unregistered or left unclaimed 15 days after notice. When a tow operator or wrecker removes one, it can get a junk certificate and sell the car to a wrecker by endorsing that certificate.

Paperwork at 3920 Idaho Street

Nevada titles are issued by the state DMV. We checked an office at 3920 Idaho Street. In a straight line it's about 2 miles northeast of downtown Elko. Elko County may have other offices as well. The DMV lists no phone number for it on the page we read.

Any loan or lien has to be paid off before the car can be sold. For a 2011 or newer car, the original paper title has to go to the buyer. Bring a photo ID that matches the name on the title. Still owe on the loan explains how to clear a lien first.

Your plates after the sale

Keep the plates. Nevada ends the registration when ownership changes, and you have 60 days to put the plates on another vehicle or turn them in. Log in to MyDMV and complete the Registration Cancellation and Vehicle Resale Notification; it is your written proof the vehicle left your hands.

Nearby towns

Elko sits a long way from the rest of our Nevada pages. Fernley is about 201 miles away in a straight line, Sparks about 226, Reno about 233 and Carson City about 241. See Nevada for statewide rules.

Getting an offer

Elko owners can call (877) 421-6008 or send our offer form. Ranch pickups, commuter sedans and family SUVs are all welcome. Our driver hooks up wherever the vehicle is parked, from a downtown side street to a backyard pad.