Selling a dead or junk car in Matthews

The state's test for junk

G.S. 160A-303 gives cities the power to "by ordinance prohibit abandonment of motor vehicles on public streets or on public or private property." Under it, an abandoned car becomes junked if any one of these is true:

• it is wrecked or partly dismantled
• it cannot be self-propelled
• it is more than five years old and its value is below $100, or below $500 if a local ordinance sets that amount
• no current plate is displayed

Those two dollar amounts measure the car for the law; they say nothing about what it would sell for. On private land, the city statute calls a car abandoned when it has stayed over two hours without the landowner agreeing to it.

What protects a homeowner

The statute still keeps a town from hauling a car off a homeowner's lot on its own initiative. Removal needs the owner's written request "unless declared a health or safety hazard." Any city or county using these powers has to give the owner a chance at a hearing.

State officers run a parallel process under Chapter 20. There, a vehicle is abandoned after more than 10 days sitting illegally on someone's property, public or private, without consent. "Derelict" covers, among others, a car over 12 years old lacking a current license. After a state tag goes on, five days pass before the car is taken away to be sold, and the last registered owner and any lienholders are told in writing.

Registration that has run out

North Carolina rules let a Matthews driver keep using an expired sticker through the 15th of the following month, ending at midnight. After that the late charge is $15 in month one, $20 in month two and $25 from then on. Property tax interest gets added where it applies. Because Mecklenburg requires emissions testing, renewing also means passing the OBD check, unless the car is 20 years old or older; see failed emissions.

Title and plates

NCDMV issues every title; Mecklenburg County does not. One plate agency we found is at 3250 Wilkinson Blvd., Suite G, in Charlotte, around 13 miles northwest of central Matthews as the crow flies. Mailing to NCDMV is the other route. A notary must watch you sign the reverse, where the buyer's identity, the day of sale, mileage when required and the damage statement are recorded.

Plates are the seller's to keep. Unless they move to another of your cars, return them in person or by mail to a plate agency, and do it before the insurance ends. If a hold or ticket is attached to the registration, deal with it first; see tickets or registration hold.

Getting an offer

The form or (877) 421-6008 gets an offer moving. Name the car, guess the miles if the dash is dark, say whether it cranks, and mention any lien or missing title. In Matthews we pick up from garages, cul-de-sac driveways and repair shop back lots. Indian Trail is 4.8 miles away, Mint Hill 5.1 and Charlotte 9.2. The statewide rules are on North Carolina.