Selling a junk or wrecked car in Columbia

Local rules in Columbia

Columbia's own code did not turn up online. Columbia could have its own limits on dead cars parked in a yard or on the street, and a notice from a code officer would list them. Until you see one, the state rules below are the ones written down.

Two certificates, two endings

After a total loss, Tennessee issues one of two certificates, and they lead to very different places.

• Salvage Certificate. For a car under 10 years old. It can be rebuilt, and after inspection the title carries the brand "Rebuilt Vehicle Anti-Theft Inspected".
• Non-repairable Certificate. Given to a car that can't be made safe to drive again and only has value as parts or scrap. That Columbia car can't be titled or registered in Tennessee ever again.

Neither one lets you register the car as it stands. Columbia owners mail the application to the Vehicle Services Division of the Department of Revenue, 500 Deaderick Street, Nashville. It's free. A flood title is a third brand the state uses. Our salvage title guide explains what each brand does to a sale.

When the insurer has to brand it

Once an insurer settles a car as a total loss after a crash, a fire or water damage, it has to obtain a salvage title, a flood title or a nonrepairable certificate. The law has one exception Columbia drivers should know: vehicles ten years or older that are valued at $1,500 or less. So if your Columbia car is old and cheap enough to sit under that line, the claim may be paid with no brand on the title. See insurer totaled it for what to do with the car after the check.

Selling with a clean Maury County title

In Tennessee the county clerk handles titles, so anyone buying a car in Columbia deals with the Maury County clerk's office. They bring proof of identity and residency and the odometer disclosure. Your side is short. Flip the Columbia title over and sign, then print, in the assignment area, matching the name on the front. You don't need a notary. If the two owner names are linked with "and", you both sign. If they are linked with "or", just one of you can.

The plate, and a test that no longer exists

Pull the plate before the car leaves your hands. Tennessee plates belong to the owner, and moving one to another vehicle costs $1. Nor will an emissions test hold up a sale: Tennessee ended testing in 2022 and no county requires one now.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or fill out the form to sell your Columbia car. We can pick it up at your house, a body shop or a tow yard, a few blocks from the Maury County Courthouse or 11 miles off in Spring Hill. Statewide rules are on the Tennessee page.