Selling a dead or junk car in Stillwater

Two notices, then a tow

Section 18-133 sets the order. First, an initial notice goes on the car, or as near to it as possible. It says the car must be "removed, repaired, completely enclosed within a building, or covered" within five days.

If nothing changes, a final notice is mailed certified to the registered owner, and to the property owner or occupant if that is someone else. You get 14 days, or "the city will cause the junk vehicle to be towed and stored at the owner's expense." Under Section 18-135, the registered owner or the land's owner or occupant pays for the towing and storage.

Asking for a hearing

Within 14 days of the date the final notice was mailed, a written hearing request can go to the director (Section 18-134). There you may "present testimony, evidence, and make arguments." If the director still finds a nuisance, the report allows 14 more days to fix it. Within 14 days of that report, a written appeal to the city clerk asks the city manager to review the finding.

Handing it to the city

Section 18-135 lets the owner "give written consent to the enforcement officer authorizing the city to abate the nuisance and dispose of the vehicle." That ends the notices, and the car goes with them. Selling it is the other way out; see notice to remove a car.

After a removal

Within 48 hours, Section 18-136 has the director tell the registered owner where the car is stored and how to redeem it, "including cost of redemption." Street impounds fall under Section 29-16, which covers, among other cases, a car left unattended 24 hours after the city puts up temporary no-parking signs, and a car driven without a valid tag. Towed or impounded picks up from there.

Scrap paperwork when the title is missing

Oklahoma has a route for old dead cars. If the title is lost or can't be had, a Service Oklahoma certificate of ownership can carry the transfer. This works for a vehicle older than the last 10 model years that can't be driven safely or repaired, or for one sold to a scrap metal dealer. On the Stillwater form, both parties list their names and home addresses. The seller adds a Social Security or driver license number, then the VIN, make and model. Within 30 days, Stillwater sellers mail Service Oklahoma or a licensed operator a copy along with the $4.00 fee.

Holding the title? Then sign the assignment before a notary as usual. Either way, you keep the plate. Our selling with no title guide has more.

Selling it

Selling in Stillwater? Call (877) 421-6008 or send our online form. Covered or out in the open, the car gets picked up where it is in Stillwater. Edmond is 36.9 miles away and Ponca City 40.7; statewide rules are on the Oklahoma page.