Selling a dead or junk car in West New York

The town's three-day rule

Chapter 381 of the town code says "continuous parking of a vehicle on a street or public highway for a period of three days shall be prima facie evidence of abandonment by the owner." Put simply, a car that has not moved for three days gives police reasonable grounds to treat it as abandoned.

Police may then have the car towed to an impound garage. It stays there until the owner pays "a fee of not less than $250." The Chief of Police must notify the registered owner in writing, by personal service or registered mail, giving the reason for the tow and the storage location.

After the car has been with the police "for a period of 30 days" and that notice has gone out, "it shall be deemed to be abandoned." The town may then sell it under state law. The state rules below apply as well.

What New Jersey does with a car left behind

• At the curb. N.J.S.A. For West New York, 39:10A-1 and the next sections deal with a car left behind on a road or other public land. Such a car is "offered at public auction or junked."
• On private property. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-56.6, the car "must be put up for public sale/auction." Should the sale fall through, the property owner may ask for the title.
• At a mechanic. Repair shops get a similar power after 60 days of storage without permission, or 60 days from telling you the car is fixed. A West New York garage can then sell the car, keep it, or file with the state for a junk title.

The bill of sale and the title

New Jersey wants a short, specific bill of sale. It lists:

• who bought it, with their address
• the day it changed hands
• the miles on the odometer
• the price paid

Hand that over together with the title, signed by you in the seller's spot on the back. You cannot mail the transfer in. West New York owners handle this in person, at a motor vehicle agency counter. The buyer signs their section and includes Form BA-49 if it applies. A $25 penalty starts after 10 working days.

Plates stay with you

Plates never pass to the next owner in New Jersey. Remove them while the car is still on your block. West New York sellers drop plates at an MVC agency or save them for their next car. After you sell covers what comes next.

No title in the glove box

For West New York, try 438 Summit Ave in Jersey City, home of the MVC Vehicle Center, the nearest one we found. Measured on a map, that's about 5 miles southwest of the town center. A duplicate costs $60. In West New York, book an appointment and bring form OS/SS-UTA. West New York owners can support it with an insurance card, an old registration, or a certified registration record. See junk car with no title.

Getting an offer

Use the form or ring (877) 421-6008. Mention the car, if it starts, and how the title looks. We can plan the pickup at the curb or from a garage space. Union City and Cliffside Park are next door, and the New Jersey page has the rest.