Selling a dead or junk car in Millville

What Millville's code 52-1 says

The city's police department "may authorize the towing and storage of motor vehicles located on public streets or public property which are unregistered, abandoned or illegally parked." If the car is leased, the lessee pays the towing and storage bill instead of the owner.

• Notice. The towing operator tells the owner about the fees in writing at the time of the tow, or "by certified mail within three days of the tow."
• Storage limit. Stored vehicles have "a maximum of sixty-day storage life." A car "awaiting repair or in the process of being repaired at authorized body shops" gets up to six months.

The shop lot: New Jersey's 60-day rule

A car that died and went to a shop is the case state law covers most plainly. Under N.J.S.A. 39:10A-9 and the sections after, a Millville shop may call your car abandoned after it stays over 60 days without your consent. The same clock starts when the shop tells you the work is finished and you leave it another 60 days. After that, the Millville garage may keep it, sell it, or seek a junk title. If the quote was more than the car is worth, see repairs cost more than it is worth before the clock runs out.

Streets, driveways and other people's land

In New Jersey, the rules for an abandoned car depend on its location.

• Public property (N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1 and following): an auction or the crusher. A junk title is limited to a car that cannot run, or one whose safety repairs would exceed what it is worth.
• Private property (N.J.S.A. 39:4-56.6): a public sale or auction is required. When nobody completes a purchase, whoever owns the land can ask the MVC to title the car to them.

That second rule matters if your car is parked at a friend's place or a rented lot. The 52-1 text we quote speaks of public streets and public property, so ask the city how long a car may sit in a yard.

Paperwork and plates

The MVC will not move a title by mail; the transfer is done in person at an agency. Selling from Millville, your signature goes in the seller's block printed on the title's reverse. The Millville buyer receives the title and a bill of sale showing the price, the odometer reading, the sale date, and their name and address. They complete their own block and carry it to an MVC office, bringing Form BA-49 where it applies. Miss the 10-working-day window and New Jersey adds a $25 penalty.

Lost the title? A replacement runs $60 on form OS/SS-UTA. Book a Vehicle Center appointment and bring one of three things: a registration card, even a lapsed one; proof of insurance; or a certified record of the registration from the MVC. Asking for a replacement while knowingly holding the original can draw a fine.

The plates come off before the car leaves. Turn them in at an MVC office, or move them to your next car. After you sell walks through the rest.

Salvage, flood and inspection

Every salvage vehicle must be titled in New Jersey, even one never restored. The state calls a car salvage when an insurer finds it uneconomical to repair, with no fixed percentage. A flood-damaged car carries the words "FLOOD VEHICLE" on its ownership papers from then on. In Millville, an emissions check comes due every two years. One less than five model years old can go five years without it. See car doesn't run for cars that will not even make it to the lane.

Nearby towns

Vineland lies 6.0 miles off, Bridgeton 9.7 and Glassboro 21.6. The New Jersey page holds the rules for the whole state.

Getting an offer

To get an offer, call (877) 421-6008 or use the form. Our truck goes to the car: a curb near High Street downtown, a farm lane on the outskirts, or a Millville garage that is done with it.