Selling a junk or dead car in Cumberland

The two-day order

Section 14-78 covers any "dismantled, junked or abandoned vehicle which is located on private or public property or any vehicle legally or physically incapable of being operated." Its owner "shall remove such vehicle within two days after being ordered to do so in writing by the owner, lessee or occupant of the premises where such vehicle shall be found."

Who serves the order varies:

• Unknown owner, private land: "notice to remove may be given by attaching such notice to such vehicle."
• The car's owner also holds the property: the police department serves it.
• Town street or public highway: police give "48 hours' notice", unless the car "constitutes a present hazard or unduly obstructs traffic", in which case no warning is needed.

Then the penalty: "If the owner does not comply with removal of such vehicle, he shall be fined $100 for each violation."

Getting a removed car back

Section 14-80 lets the owner win the car back "by making application within seven days after receipt of notice of removal by the Town" and paying a fee the Town Council sets. Section 14-82 says neither the property holder nor the Town "be held liable for any loss or damage to such vehicle while being removed, while in the possession of the Town or as a result of any subsequent sale."

A car left at the shop

Cumberland also addresses cars that die and stay at a garage. Under Section 14-81, a vehicle is abandoned when left "For more than 10 days in a garage operated for commercial purposes after notice by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the owner to pick up the vehicle". A garagekeeper who waits beyond 10 days to report it "shall no longer have any claim for storage". Police may take such cars and sell them "unless the motor vehicle is reclaimed and the garagekeeper is paid." If a repair estimate left the car stranded, see stuck at a repair shop.

Title, bill of sale and plates

For Cumberland, a nearby DMV branch is in Woonsocket at 2000 Diamond Hill Road, (401) 356-4031. In a straight line it is about 4 miles northwest of central Cumberland.

On a 2001-or-newer car, the title is signed over on its back. Rhode Island also expects a bill of sale showing year, make, model, VIN, color and price, with your signature and address; bill of sale has a checklist. A recent big repair can matter too: if work on a car under 7 years past manufacture tops 75 percent of fair market value, the owner sends the title back within 10 days for a salvage certificate of title.

Plates stay in your hands. Cancel the registration online and file the emailed confirmation as proof.

Getting an offer

In Cumberland, call (877) 421-6008 or send the offer form. We haul from home, a repair shop, or Lincoln and Woonsocket. Statewide rules are on the Rhode Island page.