Selling a junked or dead car in Englewood

What Englewood calls abandoned or junked

Section 431-1 defines an "abandoned or junked vehicle" two ways. One is a car "in such defective condition as to be unable to be moved under its own power." The other is a car that "does not show proper current license plates and/or an inspection certificate as required by the laws of New Jersey."

So a car that won't run qualifies. So can one that runs fine but has lapsed plates or no current inspection. There is one carve-out: "a temporarily disabled vehicle which is to be repaired within a reasonable time" is not counted.

How the 10-day notice works

When Englewood finds such a car "in the open," the Chief of Police or a designee sends written notice. The property owner gets it, as does the car's owner "if ascertainable." It orders removal "within 10 days from such notice." You then have three options:

• Request a hearing before the 10 days run out. If you don't, the notice "shall become an order of the Chief of Police."
• Say the car is awaiting repair. The Chief or a designee "may fix a reasonable time within which such repairs shall be accomplished." Miss that date and the car must go.
• Do nothing. Then the city may enter the property and tow the car, and the cost is charged against it and can "become a lien."

Ten days is short if the car needs a new engine. Repairs cost more than it is worth helps you decide quickly.

After a city tow

Section 410-18 lets the city hire an authorized service provider to manage police tows and impounds. The provider also handles abandoned and unclaimed vehicles that the police towed, and keeps an online portal of every impound for city staff. If your car is gone, start with the police department. Towed or impounded covers the rest.

The Oakland office and New Jersey paperwork

For Bergen County we checked the MVC office in Oakland, Suite 24 at 350 Ramapo Valley Rd. In a straight line it's around 17 miles northwest of central Englewood, and Bergen could have more offices. Englewood buyers have to go to a motor vehicle agency in person to transfer the title.

Englewood sellers have a short list. Englewood sellers sign on the back where it says seller. For Englewood, the bill of sale shows who bought the car, their address, the day it sold, its miles and the price. Englewood sellers hold on to the plates and later drop them at an MVC agency or move them to another car they register. If the transfer waits beyond 10 working days, a $25 penalty applies.

Replacing a missing title comes first. The duplicate costs $60; apply on form OS/SS-UTA after booking a Vehicle Center appointment.

Close by

Bergenfield is 2.5 miles away and Fort Lee 2.8. Palisades Park is 3.3 and Hackensack 3.8. For the whole state, see New Jersey.

Getting an offer

Got a notice from the Englewood police already? Mention the date on it. Then call (877) 421-6008 or send the form for your Englewood car. Our truck reaches driveways, side yards and streets.