Selling a junk or dead car in Rahway

Junk, by Rahway's definition

Section 265-1 opens the junkyard chapter. Its definition of junk takes in "unregistered motor vehicles which are unfit for reconditioning" and "used parts of motor vehicles." The chapter then makes it unlawful to run a junkyard or deal in junk "within the limits of the City without first having obtained a license."

That license rule is aimed at businesses. Still, it shows how the city thinks about a yard full of pulled parts and a car that will never pass for road use again. Selling the car complete, rather than stripping it, keeps your driveway from looking like a junk shop. Part it out or sell it whole weighs the two.

The 24-hour line in the zoning code

Section 421-4 holds the zoning definitions. One of them reads: "The keeping in an unenclosed area of any goods, junk, material, merchandise or vehicles in the same place continuously for a period of more than 24 hours."

Put plainly, the zoning code defines a term by keeping something in an unenclosed area for more than 24 hours. What the zoning rules then allow depends on the property. If a dead car has been parked outside for weeks, ask the city where you stand.

When the car is on a public street

Section 397-4 covers a junk car or junk car body found on "any public street, highway or public property." The Director of the Police Department or a designee can have it towed by an insured operator. The police then notify "the registered and legal owner" of why it was taken and where it went.

The car stays "retained and impounded until the owner or his duly authorized agent pays the cost of the taking and removal, together with garage storage charges." Storage keeps adding up while it sits. Towed or impounded covers what to do next.

Title work without leaving town

Rahway sellers have a short trip. One Union County office we checked sits inside the city, on Woodbridge Rd where East Hazelwood Ave crosses (number 1140). In a straight line, that office sits less than a mile southeast of central Rahway. That is handy for Rahway sellers, since the state only transfers titles in person at a motor vehicle agency.

The seller's part takes a pen and a few minutes. In Rahway, the seller signs where marked on the back of the title. Their bill of sale shows what was paid, the day, the odometer figure, and who bought it plus their address. The plates stay yours in Rahway. Rahway sellers can turn the plates in at an MVC agency or use them on another car registered in their name. A $25 penalty applies if the transfer runs past 10 working days.

No title in hand? Order a duplicate first. New Jersey charges $60, takes form OS/SS-UTA, and books you into a Vehicle Center by appointment.

Towns next door

Linden is 2.7 miles away, Carteret 3.2, Roselle 3.3 and Westfield 4.5. For the rest of the state's rules, see New Jersey.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or send the details online. We ask about the car itself, its rough mileage, if it still cranks, and who holds the Rahway title. Pickup can happen at a curb, in a back lot, or wherever it quit.