A junk car in Mustang? Here's the 48-hour rule

The rule in Section 114-564

The core sentence is long, so here are its working parts. No person may "deposit, store, keep or permit to be deposited, stored or kept in the open, upon public or private property" a vehicle that is "dismantled, unserviceable, inoperable, junked or abandoned," or "any vehicle legally or physically incapable of being operated, for a period exceeding 48 hours."

Two escapes are written in: the car is "completely enclosed within a building," or it is stored in connection with a lawful business.

The duty falls on more than one person. The car's owner and the "owner of the private property, lessee or other person in possession or control" must "remove the vehicle from such property or have the vehicle housed in a building where it will not be visible from the street or other private property." That rules out a tarp in the side yard.

The same section defines a "junked motor vehicle" as one without "both an unexpired license plate and a current motor vehicle safety inspection certificate" whose condition is wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, abandoned or discarded on top of that. And "upon proper notice and opportunity to be heard," the car's owner and the landowner can each be held responsible for removal.

Mustang's zoning code points back to this chapter. Section 122-844 says it "shall not be construed as allowing the storage of derelict or junked vehicles" any other way.

Breakdowns on the road

Police may impound a disabled car "left unattended longer than 48 hours on the shoulder of any street or highway," under Section 114-555. They can also tow one when the driver is too hurt to arrange removal. Then "the owner shall be notified by the police department, if the identity of the owner can be ascertained by reasonable diligence." Leave a car alone on a bridge or viaduct and it can be impounded right away, with no wait (Section 114-557).

What Oklahoma calls a junked vehicle

Oklahoma defines "junked vehicle" more strictly. In Mustang, a car qualifies only if all three are true: it can't be driven on a highway, it's worth only parts or scrap, and it has lost 80% of its fair market value. A junked title can be issued for one. When a junk dealer, or anyone else, permanently dismantles a car, they must get the title from the owner, detach the plate, and return both to Service Oklahoma within 30 days. That title is cancelled and never reissued. Our page on nonrepairable or junk titles explains the brands.

Paperwork for a Mustang seller

For Mustang, Canadian County's office on our list is the one at 314 W Rogers in El Reno, (405) 295-6330, about 16 miles northwest of central Mustang as the crow flies. Tag agencies can process titles as well.

Your title signature needs a notary. Holding an electronic title? Hand the buyer a notarized Form 718 bill of sale. Either party then pre-registers the deal inside 2 business days. Unbolt the plate, because Oklahoma never lets one follow a car to its next owner.

Around Mustang

In straight-line miles: Yukon 9.0, Bethany 9.2, Oklahoma City 13.0 and Moore 14.8. Statewide details are on Oklahoma.

Getting an offer

Use the form or call (877) 421-6008; we need the vehicle, its approximate miles, if the engine still fires, and the title status. Our tow collects from a driveway by Wild Horse Park, a shop lot, or the roadside where it quit. Wondering what happens to junk cars next? Try junkyard or scrap yard.