Selling a dead or junk car in Pearland

We buy whole non-running and junk cars. You sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Pearland's own definition

Section 14-52 writes its own test. Under it, a junked vehicle moves under its own power, shows no current registration insignia, and is "Wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, damaged, discarded". A car in that shape qualifies with no wait. A car that simply won't run qualifies after three days broken down on public ground, or a month on private ground; the code counts those as 72 and 30 unbroken stretches.

Section 14-53 calls every junked vehicle, and every junked part, a public nuisance. Pearland treats a violation as a misdemeanor, and the fine tops out at $200, and a guilty finding comes with a court order to get rid of the car.

For a homeowner the exemption is narrow: the car must sit in a fully closed building that nobody on the road or next door can see into. The section says nothing either way about covers or tarps. Dealers, junkyards and collectors of antiques can claim an exemption only when their cars are kept neat and screened.

How the city removes one

1. Notice. Under Section 14-56 the city gives "not less than ten (10) days' written notice", addressed to three parties: the owner named on the registration, any lender holding a lien, and the people who own or live at that address. The code says "The public nuisance must be removed not later than the tenth day after the date on which the notice was personally delivered, mailed, or placed on the public nuisance".
2. Hearing. On request, the municipal court judge hears the case on day 11 or later. The judge treats the car as dead unless its owner proves it runs.
3. Removal. "If the public nuisance is not removed in accordance with a court order, the enforcement authority may remove it or cause it to be removed." The Texas DMV hears about it within five days. Section 14-57 sends it "to a scrap-yard, a motor vehicle demolisher, or any suitable site operated by the city, for processing as scrap or salvage".

Code Enforcement: codeenforcement@pearlandtx.gov or 281.652.1766.

Streets and the tow lot

Section 29-14 covers cars "left standing or parked unattended for more than forty-eight (48) hours in violation of any applicable section of this Code, state law or city ordinances". Police may have one removed. Parked at the curb of its owner's own home or rental, the car earns a written warning and a 24-hour grace period first.

To reclaim it, the code says "the claimant must produce satisfactory evidence of ownership or right to possession within thirty (30) days from the date of such storage" and settle what is owed for storage, the tow and any fine. After that, "If a vehicle removed under this section is not claimed within thirty (30) days from the date of storage, the same may be sold". Pearland police take non-emergency calls at 281.997.4100. See towed or impounded.

Three counties, three tax offices

Parts of Pearland lie in Brazoria, Fort Bend and Harris counties. Distances are straight lines from the town's center, as the crow flies:

• Harris County, 1001 Preston, Houston: about 14 miles north, (713) 274-8000
• Fort Bend County, 1317 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond: about 26 miles west, (281) 341-3710
• Brazoria County, 237 E. Locust St., Suite 104, Angleton: roughly 28 miles south, (979) 864-1320

Texas gives the buyer 30 days from the sale to get the title into their name. A buyer who never does can leave the seller on the hook for their tickets, tolls, even crimes involving the car. So file your Vehicle Transfer Notification, and keep notes: the buyer's name and phone or address, the sale date, the VIN. Still paying off the car? See car loan still owed. The Texas page covers plates.

Getting an offer

An offer starts with the basics. What year, make and model is it? About how far has it been driven? Does it start? Where is the title? Answer online or call (877) 421-6008. Manvel is 5.3 miles away, Friendswood 8.1 and Pasadena 12.4.