Selling a dead car in Harrison

The 48-hour street rule

Harrison's code says "the police department is authorized and directed to impound any motor vehicle parked on the public streets of Harrison" that has sat for 48 hours straight, where "the owner or person in charge of which has not reported to the police department a bonafide reason for its so being parked." Cars that meet that test "are determined to meet the standard of abandoned vehicles."

The police then move the car "to a garage or other place designated by the mayor and town council as a place for the impounding of motor vehicles". From there, the state's impound statutes apply. Once police have hauled it, read towed or impounded.

The text names one exception: an owner who "has reported to the police department a bonafide reason" for the car being parked. It sets no deadline for that report and does not say which reasons count.

Off the street is not much easier

Harrison's zoning code was written with working cars in mind. Section 17-6 defines a parking space as room for "one (1) operable, licensed motor vehicle". It defines a private parking area as space for "the temporary storage of automobiles". Section 17-91.1 counts a one-car garage plus an 18-foot driveway as two off-street spaces. Each of those spaces is defined around a car that runs and is licensed.

The same section 17-6 also keeps junk out of car sales: an auto sales use covers new and used dealers "but not the sale of junked automotive equipment, parts or inoperable motor vehicles."

New Jersey title and plates, from Harrison

Harrison sellers can't mail a title in; New Jersey moves ownership only in person at the MVC, and the buyer handles that visit. Put your name in the seller's box on the title's back. Then write up a bill of sale listing the buyer, where they live, the date, the miles and the price.

The plates stay yours. Remove them before the car leaves Harrison and either return them to the MVC or fit them to another car you own.

If the title is lost, get a duplicate first: $60, form OS/SS-UTA, appointment required. The Jersey City center at 438 Summit Ave, which we checked for Hudson County, is roughly 5 miles east of Harrison as the crow flies.

Around Harrison

Newark and Kearny are each 1.7 miles away, East Orange 3.4 and Secaucus 5.2. See New Jersey for statewide rules.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or use our form, and we'll reply with an offer for your Harrison car. We can collect it at a Harrison curb, a driveway, or the impound garage after the car is released.