Selling a dead or junk car in Nashua

Three city rules that catch dead cars

Abandonment, Section 315-1. "It shall be a violation of this chapter to abandon any motor vehicle anywhere in the City." The 24-hour test above is how the code defines it.

Expired registration, Section 320-77. "No unregistered vehicle shall be parked on any public street or in any City-owned public parking lot or garage." The fine goes to the last owner of record in state registration files: "at least $50," plus the towing cost. A car that died and was never re-registered breaks this rule as soon as it is parked on the street.

Snow emergencies, chapter 320. "Any vehicle left parked on any public way or in a public parking lot, excluding City-owned parking garages, during a snow emergency may be towed as directed by the Chief of Police." If a car cannot be driven, it cannot be cleared for the plows either.

What a tow can cost

Some tows are done without the owner's consent and not under a city contract, such as from a private lot. Section 306-1 caps those at the current city rate "plus other reasonable charges and fees," using the city's towing price schedule on file at the City Clerk's office. Lots that tow must also post signs that meet the code's standards.

Signing the car over

A Nashua seller has no state office to report a titled car sale to. Signing the title over is the step, and the registration lapses by itself. Turn the title over and print the buyer's name, their address and today's odometer number. Both of you sign, and the buyer takes the title.

Is it older than model year 2000? Then the state never titled it (heavy trucks over 18,000 pounds excepted). The seller gives a signed bill of sale along with a New Hampshire registration, expired is fine, or an old title.

A missing title is replaced with form TDMV 18, for $35 since January 1, 2026. A recorded lien means you include a Release of Lien (TDMV 20). Everyone named on a jointly owned title signs.

Plates and the old registration

The plates are yours to keep. Don't throw away the lapsed registration either: the city clerk counts it toward the next car you register, and if the fee is the same or lower, you pay nothing more for the rest of the period. When the plates move to a different car, the old one loses its legal registration and can't be driven. More in after you sell.

Nearby

Hudson is 4.2 miles from Nashua in a straight line, Merrimack 7.3, Londonderry 10.3 and Bedford 13.1. A car that sat for months often has a dead battery and flat tires; car sitting for years covers it. Statewide rules are on New Hampshire.

Getting an offer

Ring (877) 421-6008 or use the form. Let us know the year and model, its miles, if the engine still cranks, and who owns it on paper. We pick it up anywhere, from a downtown curb to a garage with it up on a lift.