Selling a dead or junk car in Alexandria

Before it reaches that point, there is another route. We buy whole non-running and junk cars. You sell the whole car as it sits, and pickup is free anywhere in the US, Old Town rowhouse streets included.

What Section 5-8-63 allows

The rule covers "any private property in the city, except property zoned for industrial purposes." An inoperable car must be in "a fully enclosed building or structure" or be "otherwise shielded or screened from view." Only one screened car may sit outside. Two exceptions apply. Someone actively restoring a screened car may keep one more screened car for the work. And an antique vehicle is exempt while a real repair effort is under way and it is protected from weather and rodents.

The notice and what follows

The notice names the car, says why it counts as inoperable, and gives a date "at least 10 days following the date on which the notice is posted or, if applicable and later, the date on which the notice was mailed." After that:

1. The car can be removed to the impoundment yard or another facility.
2. Within five days, the property owner, the occupant and the car's owner of record get written notice.
3. The car's owner, or anyone with a security interest, may reclaim it "within 15 days from the date of the notice." That means paying all removal and storage costs and giving an assurance the car will be brought into compliance.
4. If no one reclaims it, the city may dispose of it. Any costs above the sale proceeds can be charged to the property owner, the occupant and the car's owner, and collected the way taxes are.

Street, private lot and snow rules

• 72 hours. Under Section 10-4-8, a car may not stay in the same place on a city street "for more than 72 hours" unless signs say otherwise. Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays do not count, and residents can apply for an exemption, which only covers parking within one-eighth mile of home.
• Unpaid tickets. Section 5-8-22 allows removal of a car with "three or more unpaid or otherwise unsettled parking violation notices" in most places other than a single family residence. Alexandria applies that too when a car stays on private property without permission past 72 straight hours.
• Snow. King Street from Union Street to the western city limit and Duke Street from Washington Street are among the posted snow emergency routes. Parking restrictions on them start two hours after a snow emergency is announced.

Inspection, title and the DMV

Alexandria is one of the Northern Virginia localities where cars need emissions inspections, on top of the yearly safety inspection. A Virginia emissions certificate or waiver stays valid for two years from the end of the month it was issued, whether or not the car is sold.

We checked the DMV office at 2681 Mill Road (703-317-3564), around a mile south of central Alexandria as the crow flies. Alexandria sellers put their signature in Section A, found on the title's front. Alexandria sellers can skip the notary; the DMV doesn't ask for one. Report the sale to the DMV afterward and take the plates off.

Nearby

Fairfax is 11.8 miles away, Herndon 19.4 and Manassas 22.1, straight-line. Statewide rules are on Virginia.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or send the form. Give the year, make, model and mileage, say if it runs, and tell us whether a fire marshal notice has arrived. Driveways, alley lots and garages are all reachable for the truck. If it is on the street, tell us which block.