Selling a dead or junk car in Lehi

What Section 5-2-3 covers

The section opens with general definitions, then gives specific examples of nuisances. The one aimed at cars names five kinds of vehicle: inoperative, unregistered, abandoned, wrecked or dismantled. It also covers boats, trailers, RVs and loose vehicle parts. And it reaches two places: "a premises" and "the public right of way."

So a car with expired tags counts even if it still runs. So does a pickup you started taking apart in the driveway, or a box of parts by the garage.

Lehi's street rules under Section 7-1-1

The street has its own clocks, and they are tighter than people expect:

• 48 hours. "No person shall park a vehicle on any street for more than a consecutive forty eight (48) hour period."
• Snow. No car may be left on the street "during any snowstorm," for 48 hours after the storm ends, or while there is "one (1) inch or more" of snow or ice on the road.
• Repairs. You cannot park on the street mainly to grease or repair a car, except for emergency fixes.
• For-sale signs. A car left at the curb mostly as a for-sale display breaks the rule too.

When police find a car breaking any of these, the officer can have it "removed at the expense of the registered owner." The fine comes from the city's civil fines schedule, set each year by the city council, and it comes in addition to any tow and storage bill.

The title office we checked

Utah issues titles through the state DMV, part of the Utah State Tax Commission. For Utah County, we checked the DMV office at 150 East Center #1400, Provo. From the middle of Lehi it sits about 17 miles southeast as the crow flies. The phone line is 1-800-DMV-UTAH (800-368-8824). Much of a seller's part can be done without that drive: the sold report goes in online, by mail or by phone.

Signing over a Lehi car

Utah keeps the seller's side simple, but there is a deadline:

• No notary is needed on the title.
• Two owner names joined by AND on a Lehi title both need to sign. Joined by OR, either one can sign.
• Hand over the title within 48 hours; Utah law puts that clock on sellers.
• A bill of sale proves the transfer, and the state's TC-843 form serves.
• At 20 years old, a car no longer needs odometer form TC-891.
• Lost title? Form TC-123 lets you pass ownership to the buyer without first getting a duplicate. See junk car with no title.

Utah County is one of the five emissions counties, so a current emission certificate, if there is one, travels with the title and registration.

Plates and the sold report

Take your plates off unless you are selling them with the car. If they stay on, the DMV warns, tickets and traffic violations can come back to you. Next, tell the state about the Lehi sale. Use the Motor Vehicle Portal, form TC-502, a signed letter listing the year, make, and plate or VIN, or call 1-800-DMV-UTAH. After you sell walks through the rest, and the Utah page has the statewide rules.

Around Lehi

Highland and American Fork are both within about 5 miles. Saratoga Springs and Draper are each about 5.5 miles out.

Getting an offer

Reach us at (877) 421-6008 or online. Fill in the form about your Lehi car. Pickup works anywhere in town, a cul-de-sac driveway or a mechanic's back lot alike.