Selling a junk car in Pottstown

The 30-day clock on a car in pieces

The same section sets a time limit for a project. No car may be "in a state of major disassembly for a period in excess of 30 days, or disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled." The one exception is work done "inside a structure or similarly enclosed area designed and approved for such purposes." Body work counts.

That means a driveway car up on jack stands with its engine partly pulled gets roughly a month under the code. If you are weighing whether to keep pulling parts, read part it out or sell it whole first. A car missing major parts is harder to place than one that is complete.

When a lot becomes a junkyard

The zoning definitions in Sections 1200 and 1400 draw the line at two. "The deposit or storage of two or more unlicensed, wrecked, or disabled vehicles or the major parts of vehicles is considered a junkyard." A junkyard there means storage outside "a completely enclosed building" of discarded materials, and the list names "machinery or vehicles or vehicle parts."

The home-occupation definition backs this up. It excludes activities "that involve the storage of motor vehicle parts, machinery or parts, junk, or scrap metals." A side business fixing cars in the yard does not fit it. Clearing more than one car at once? See several junk cars.

Inspections in Montgomery County

Pennsylvania requires a safety inspection every year. Montgomery County is also in PennDOT's Philadelphia emissions region, so a Pottstown car needs both tests to stay legal on the road. Once either sticker lapses, Section 302 applies to the car wherever it is parked in town. Failed inspection or rust covers why so many cars stop there.

Title and plate from Pottstown

Pennsylvania does not run county title offices. Pottstown sellers wrap up the papers at a nearby PennDOT-authorized agent, such as a dealer, tag service or notary. Sign, print your name by hand and record the odometer figure as the agent watches; co-owners sign alongside you.

Is the buyer a scrap metal processor or salvage dealer? Then no notary is involved. Lost the title? Form MV-38O and $72.00 bring a duplicate.

You take the plate off and keep it. A Pottstown plate gets mailed to the Return Tag Unit, or moved to another car for $11.00.

Getting an offer

For a price, tell us the model, the mileage, if the engine catches, and if the title lists you. Fill that in online or call (877) 421-6008. Pickup is free anywhere in the US, on a Pottstown driveway, a side street or a garage lot. Phoenixville is 10.3 miles away and Reading 16.0, both as the crow flies; see Pennsylvania for the statewide rules.