Selling a dead or junk car in Clovis

What section 10.08.020 says

The rule is broad. A junked vehicle on "any lot, tract, parcel of land or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved" is "deemed a public nuisance." It is unlawful to cause or keep that nuisance by "wrecking, dismantling, rendering inoperable, abandoning or discarding" a vehicle on the property.

The sections we read set no grace period in days. That makes the exceptions the whole question. Clovis can also have its own notice or enforcement steps. If a letter arrives, phone the city.

The three ways a car can stay

1. Inside a building. The car or part is "completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner, where it is not visible from the street or other public or private property."
2. At a licensed business. It is stored or parked lawfully in connection with a licensed vehicle dealer or a junkyard.
3. Screened storage. Unlicensed inoperable vehicles and outdoor storage areas must not pose a health hazard and must be hidden from normal public view past the building setback line.

The third one is where the tarp rule bites. "Screening must completely obscure the vehicle from public view." A fence with gaps, or a cover over the body, does not meet that.

The city amended this section, along with the abandoned-vehicle rules in 10.08.060 and the nuisance definition in 8.08.010, by Ordinance 1833-2006. The nuisance chapter now lists "Abandoned or junked automobiles as defined by Chapter 10.08" among public nuisances.

Trailers have their own limit

A dead travel trailer is handled under a different chapter. Section 15.48.020 makes it unlawful to park a trailer on any street, alley or public place except as the chapter allows. Emergency or temporary stops on a street are limited to "not longer than one hour."

The MVD office and the title

There is a Clovis Motor Vehicle Division field office we found at 900 W. 6th Street. On a map it's roughly 3 miles southwest of the Clovis center. You can reach MVD at 1-888-683-4636. Curry County may also have more offices or private MVD partners.

Clovis sellers sign the title's reverse over to the buyer and write down the odometer reading. When the back has no room or the assignment is not complete, the Bill of Sale, MVD-10009, fills the gap. The MVD's seller steps do not include a notary.

No title? A duplicate costs $5 on MVD-10901. If there is no title and no supporting paper at all, MVD may accept a surety bond for double the vehicle's value, on a three-year term, plus a VIN inspection. A bond cannot be used to get around a lien process. Our bonded title guide explains the steps.

Plates and the sold notice

New Mexico plates belong to the owner. Pull your plate. A Clovis seller has 30 days to either turn the plate in to MVD to be destroyed or put it on another vehicle of that class. After that, mail form MVD-10048, the "Notice of Vehicle Sold", to the Sold Unit in Santa Fe.

Getting an offer

Selling a Clovis car? Fill in the form or call (877) 421-6008. We pick up behind a fence, in a garage, or on a lot near Main Street. Roswell is 106.2 miles away; see Roswell, or New Mexico for statewide rules.