Selling a junk or dead car in Sparks

What Sparks treats as inoperable

Section 7.16.010 defines an inoperable vehicle as one that "cannot be safely and legally operated on the street." It also covers a vehicle showing any of these: dismantled, stripped, damaged or scrapped, a hulk or shell, up on blocks, "deflated tires," or missing its engine, wheels or tires. Inoperable vehicles are "deemed a nuisance unless stored in compliance" with Chapter 7.16. The code treats "wrecked and/or junked items" the same way, and lists vehicles, RVs and trailers among them.

Storing one at home, legally

Section 7.16.015 sets the conditions:

• A purpose-made vehicle cover that hides the whole car. Tarps and sheets don't count.
• Legal title in the name of a resident of the home where the car is kept.
• Wrecked or junked vehicles kept inside a permitted, fully enclosed structure, or in the rear yard behind a six-foot opaque fence or six-foot landscaping, out of public view and not a hazard.

The title condition catches people out. A car still titled to a parent who moved away, or to a former roommate, fails it however well it is covered. Car not in your name explains how to sort out the ownership before selling.

On the street, and when it snows

Under Section 10.60.380, a vehicle "found to be abandoned or inoperative for a period longer than twenty-four hours" on a street or highway can be impounded. "All vehicles impounded under this section may be sold in accordance with the provisions of state law."

Winter adds another rule. Under Section 10.50.020, a snow emergency takes effect automatically on any part of a snow route with six inches or more of snow or ice. A forecast alone can also prompt the public works director to declare one. While it is in effect, Section 10.50.030 encourages owners to keep vehicles off snow routes and to remove any already there.

Title paperwork near Sparks

The state DMV handles all titles. For Sparks we checked the DMV office on Double Diamond Parkway in Reno (number 9155, phone (775) 684-4368). In a straight line it is close to 9 miles south of central Sparks, and it may not be the only office available.

A Bill of Sale (VP-104) records the sale, but on its own it does not prove ownership. The title has to go with it. Pay off any lien before you sign. Nevada law calls a Sparks car salvage if it was ever ruled a total loss, hurt by flooding or judged beyond repair. A salvage vehicle has to be rebuilt, inspected and retitled as Rebuilt before it can go to a private buyer. Wrecked or totaled covers that situation.

Smog checks and plates

Urban parts of Washoe County test emissions every year, and in a private sale that test is on the buyer. Sparks sellers hold on to the plates. The car leaves without them. You then get 60 days to register another vehicle with them or turn them in. Sparks sellers tell the DMV about the sale on MyDMV using the "Registration Cancellation and Vehicle Resale Notification" form. Keep the insurance until that cancellation goes through.

Nearby towns

Reno is about 7 miles away in a straight line, Fernley about 28 miles and Carson City about 29 miles. Statewide rules are on Nevada.

Getting an offer

Contact us online or at (877) 421-6008. Let us know the model year, make, model and odometer, if the engine runs, and the owner's name as the title shows it. Our driver can load a car from behind a six-foot rear fence, out of a garage near Victorian Square, or off a snow-route curb.