Selling a junk car in Petersburg

The definition that catches lapsed stickers

An inoperative car, under 110-471, is one "not in operating condition," one that "does not display valid license plates," or one that shows "an inspection decal that has been expired for more than 60 days." A car that runs but whose decal expired more than 60 days ago falls inside it.

Fifteen days, then the city moves

After written notice from the city, the property owner has 15 days to remove the car. If that does not happen, city workers may tow it. The city may then dispose of it "after giving 15 days' notice to the owner of the vehicle," and the bill lands on the car's owner, "who shall be primarily responsible for such cost."

When the city takes an inoperable car, section 110-496 lets it pass to a demolisher "without the title and without the notification procedures", and the demolisher then reports it to the DMV.

On the street

Section 110-258 makes it unlawful "to park or store, for more than 24 hours, on any street or any parking lot belonging to or operated by the city, any motor vehicle which is incapable of being operated." The same section limits trucks, trailers and campers wider than 76 inches or taller than 78 inches to two hours on a city street.

Wagner Road and the title

The DMV office we checked is at 120 Wagner Road, roughly 2 miles southeast of central Petersburg, as the crow flies (804-862-6171). There may be others in the area.

Section A on the front of a Petersburg title is where the seller signs. Fill in the price, the sale date, the actual odometer number and the buyer's name and address there too. Then each owner prints and signs. You won't need a notary. The DMV's seller steps don't call for one. Once you've signed, tell the DMV online, by phone or at Wagner Road. Without that report, a later insurance cancellation can bring a license and registration suspension.

Unbolt the plates before the buyer leaves with the car. Move them to your next car. Otherwise, hand them back or inactivate them before you change insurance. With six months or more left, ask if a refund applies. The demolisher does not have to title the car to itself. A Petersburg yard may scrap a car with no title if it's 10 model years old or older and a DMV record search finds nothing on it. See selling with no title.

Getting an offer

Selling a Petersburg junk car? Reach us online or at (877) 421-6008. Pickup can happen from a driveway, a back alley or a shop lot. Hopewell is 7.9 miles away and Richmond 23.0; see Virginia for statewide rules.