Selling a junk or dead car in Longview

No city code online

We found no online copy of Longview's municipal code. The junk-car rules below are therefore state law, and Longview could add its own, so ask the city before planning around a deadline.

Under RCW 46.55.010, a Longview car is a "junk vehicle" once it's certified to hit three of four marks: three or more years old; badly damaged, such as broken glass or no wheels, tires, engine or transmission; seemingly unable to run; and worth scrap or less. Local police, health departments and landowners carry out that process (RCW 46.55.230).

A destroyed car has its own deadline

If the car was wrecked beyond saving, a separate state rule applies. RCW 46.12.600 gives the owner 15 days to tell DOL the car was destroyed and send in its title, or a substitute affidavit, stamped "DESTROYED." Keep the title into day 16 and the owner has committed a gross misdemeanor.

In Washington, a "salvage vehicle" is one whose title went to DOL because it was destroyed or totaled, one declared salvage, or one where repairs top its worth after counting salvage value. No percentage cutoff appears in the law. A repaired one carries a Rebuilt brand, and DOL brands stay on the record indefinitely. More in salvage title and wrecked or totaled.

The paper matters as much as the car

Under WAC 308-65-080, a licensed hulk hauler in Longview may buy a car to resell to a wrecker or scrap processor. It needs just one of four papers. A Longview buyer may get a properly signed title. Another option in Longview is a junk vehicle affidavit of sale, or one issued by a registered tow operator. In Longview, the owner of record can also sign a lost-or-stolen-title affidavit and add a release of interest.

The Kelso title office

DOL's address: 207 4th Ave N, Room 206, Kelso, WA 98626. It is the Cowlitz County office we checked; the county may have others. Washington titles run through county auditor and subagent vehicle licensing offices, and DOL suggests both parties meet at one to settle payment and sign the title over.

Selling in Washington, step by step

1. Have a valid title. A new one is $39.50 and comes in 4 to 8 weeks. All Longview registered owners sign the "Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest" with a notary present. See selling with no title.
2. Sign the release-of-interest section. Notarizing belongs to the buyer's title application.
3. Add a signed bill of sale when the Longview title has no spot showing price and date.
4. Remove the plates. Reuse them on a like vehicle or send them back to the state.
5. 5 days is the limit for the Vehicle Report of Sale. In Longview that holds even when a wrecking yard buys the car. Once you file in Longview, tow charges and whatever the buyer does next aren't on you.

Emission testing in Washington stopped on January 1, 2020, so renewals skip it.

Nearby towns

The nearest towns with pages are Battle Ground, 32.6 miles from Longview in a straight line, Vancouver at 39.3 miles and Camas at 45.5 miles. See Washington for statewide rules.

Getting an offer

Selling a car in Longview? Call (877) 421-6008 or use our form. We collect anywhere in Longview, off Commerce Avenue or in a Cowlitz County carport.