Selling a Smyrna car that no longer runs

What Section 13-401 covers

The definition is wide. It includes any motor vehicle "which does not have lawfully affixed thereto an unexpired license plate," so a car that runs but has an old plate qualifies. Wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, abandoned or discarded cars count too.

Here "motor vehicle" covers more than cars and trucks. Smyrna's rule covers more than cars. In Smyrna the list also takes in buses, motorbikes, motor scooters, tractors, go-carts, golf carts, campers, plus trailers.

Section 13-402 declares the presence of such a vehicle, "or parts thereof," on private or public property unlawful. The main exception is a vehicle "enclosed within a building on private property." Licensed businesses in the right zone and some race cars are also excepted.

Who must move it

After the town gives notice under Section 13-403, Section 13-404 puts the duty on "the owner of the abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle and the owner or occupant of the private property," "either or all of them." A renter with a dead car, the landlord, and the car's titled owner can all be on the hook. Settling who sells it early saves an argument later.

When the car is at a shop

If your car died and now sits at a repair shop, look at Section 13-407. Repair work must happen inside a fully enclosed building. A shop may not leave a car needing work where it can be seen from a right-of-way "for more than 7 days," and storage areas for wrecked or untagged cars must be fully screened by an opaque fence or landscaping. Dealers may keep no more than five inoperable vehicles on a lot under Section 13-503. When the shop quotes a repair above the car's value, expect them to push for a decision soon. See stuck at a repair shop.

Streets and impound

Smyrna police can tow under Section 15-704 when a car blocks traffic, its driver is arrested, or it has sat "for more than one hour in excess of the time allowed." It stays held until the owner proves ownership and pays all impoundment and storage fees. A citation left on a parked car under Section 15-703 must be answered within 30 days.

Title and plates on a Smyrna sale

Part of Smyrna is in Rutherford County and part is in Williamson. Either way, the county clerk handles Tennessee titles. No notary is needed on a Tennessee title. Smyrna sellers sign and print on the reverse using the same name shown up top on the title. A few clerks will also take a vehicle bill of sale if the seller's signature is notarized. The Sevier County clerk lists that option. Our bill of sale page shows what to include.

Neither county requires an emissions test now; both stopped in January 2022. Take your plates with you, because Tennessee plates follow the owner. Moving one to another car costs $1.

Nearby

La Vergne is 4.1 miles away, Murfreesboro 10.0, Brentwood 13.7 and Franklin 18.5. Statewide rules are on the Tennessee page.

Getting an offer

Fill out the form or call (877) 421-6008. Smyrna sellers can call or send the form to get going. You sell the whole car as it sits. The truck can meet it in a driveway, a rental's parking pad or behind a shop fence.