Selling a dead or junk car in Hopewell

Two sections, two clocks

Under 25-54, owners of residential or commercial property must clear an unscreened inoperable car "within ten (10) days of notice from the city or its agent." The city first tries to give notice in person. Then it posts a decal on the car and another somewhere on the premises, saying the car breaks section 25-54 and may be removed and disposed of. If nothing changes, the city may tow it. After a tow, a certified letter gives the owner "ten (10) days after the date of such notice" to reclaim the car by paying the removal cost.

Section 23.5-62 runs longer and also covers agricultural land. Once the director learns of a violation, the owner must "abate the violation within fifteen (15) days of the notice." If not, the director removes the car and sends the owner the bill for towing and storing it. The tow operator may then warn that it will dispose of the car unless the owner pays and takes it back within 15 days.

Section 25-54 spells out what a screen looks like: a "solid, rigid, opaque fence" or evergreen trees dense enough that nobody standing at ground level outside the property can see the car. Section 23.5-62 also spares a car that is "actively being restored or repaired," as long as it stays screened.

On the street: 48 hours

Under Section 22-99, an inoperable vehicle may not sit "for more than forty-eight (48) hours in any public street or city-owned parking lot." Its definition reaches past cars that will not start. Hopewell's rule reaches a car lacking a valid plate too, or one whose inspection decal "has been expired for more than sixty (60) days." Once a police officer tells you, you get 24 hours to move it, or the car "shall be deemed abandoned." When Hopewell tows it, the owner and any lienholder get a certified letter within ten business days. They then have ten days to pay towing, preservation and storage charges and take it back.

Section 22-98 adds one more limit: no parking a car on a street, alley or parkway to sell it, and no for-sale sign on a car parked there.

Signing it over in Virginia

Paperwork here goes to the state DMV, reachable at its customer service centers, at DMV Select counters, online or by mail. On a Hopewell sale, the block that belongs to you is Section A, printed on the face of the title. All owners print and sign it, and you add the buyer's details, the mileage, the sale date and the agreed price. Nothing in the DMV's list of seller steps mentions a notary.

Unscrew the plates first. Virginia lets you move them to your next car or hand them back. Next, file the notice of sale with the DMV, whether on its website, over the phone or in person. Skip that and a later insurance cancellation can leave the DMV thinking you own an uninsured car, which can cost you your license and registration. Replacing a lost title is $15; see selling with no title.

Getting an offer

Want a Hopewell offer? Ring (877) 421-6008 or fill out the request. Send the offer form for your Hopewell car to get started. Pickup can happen behind the screen fence, on a gravel drive, or at the curb where it gave out. Hopewell sits 7.9 miles from Petersburg and 19.2 miles from Richmond; statewide rules are on the Virginia page.