Selling a junk or derelict car in Del City

How Section 11-30 defines it

The full list in Section 11-30 reads: "wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, inoperative, deteriorated, decayed, lacks necessary repairs or maintenance, abandoned, discarded," or missing an unexpired plate. The code bars parking, storing or leaving such a vehicle and declares it a nuisance.

Not every car is covered. The rule does not reach a vehicle "enclosed within a building on private property." Also excluded: cars a city-licensed business keeps on correctly zoned land, and operable race cars adapted to drag strips or raceways.

From notice to a council order

Once the city notifies a property owner or manager that a derelict car is a public nuisance, that person "shall immediately take action to abate the nuisance." If the matter goes to a hearing and the City Council finds the car is "a growing blight or a substantial detriment to health and safety," the order is to abate it "within ten (10) days." The findings are served on the owner at the end of the hearing.

The 120-day line on impounds

Del City can store seized or impounded cars at its own facility (Section 11-188). Before release, the owner pays the city what it cost to haul the car there, plus daily storage. For counting storage, "the day of receipt shall constitute the first day, and the day of release shall constitute the last day."

The deadline: if the owner fails to claim the car "within one hundred twenty (120) days" of the seizure or impoundment, the city manager starts proceedings to have it transferred. To reclaim one, Section 11-186 asks for the order of release plus "all impoundment costs and accrued storage charges due."

Salvage, flood and rebuilt brands

Many Del City junk cars carry a title brand, or would if they were newer. Oklahoma's terms are narrow:

• Salvage is reserved for cars from the newest 10 model years whose road-safe repair would top 60% of fair market value. Only damage to the suspension, motor, transmission, frame or structure counts.
• Flood-damaged means a salvage or rebuilt car damaged by flooding, or one submerged to the dashboard or higher with an insurance payout. The title is stamped "Flood Damaged."
• Rebuilt titles come after a visual inspection, and they say forever that the car was salvage.

When an insurer pays a total loss, it detaches the plate and sends the plate and title to Service Oklahoma within 30 days. More detail is in our salvage title and flood damage guides.

Signing it over

The Oklahoma County office we looked at is 320 Robert S. Kerr Ave. in Oklahoma City, (405) 713-1300. It is about 5 miles west of central Del City in a straight line. Expect a notary at the title signing. Two business days is the window for pre-registration, and either side can file it. Pocket your plate; Oklahoma will not let a buyer inherit it.

Del City's neighbors

Del City covers 7.518 square miles. In straight-line miles, Midwest City is 3.8 away, Oklahoma City 4.3, Moore 8.5 and Bethany 12.0. Statewide rules are on Oklahoma.

Getting an offer

Describe the car to us at (877) 421-6008 or through the form, with its miles, if it will start, and the title brand, whether clean, salvage, rebuilt or lost. A pickup can be set for a driveway by the high school, a body shop, or any other place it stalled.