Things to Know About Selling Junk Cars in Detroit

How does Detroit define a junk vehicle?

Junk car definition according to Detroit is any vehicle incapable of operation or use on the highway, has no resale value except as a source for parts or scrap, and has a sixty percent loss in fair market value. Junk cars are known as decrepit cars, scrap cars, junkers, and jalopies. These cars are usually 15 years old unless wrecked. Cars that are damaged, totaled, abandoned, wrecked, old, or have serious mechanical problems are considered junk vehicles in Detroit.

Junk cars are usually damaged to the point of immobility, they may be missing one or several outer parts like the seats, wheels, window, and steering wheel, or they miss internal parts such as the engine. Detroit junk car definition includes cars that may be old or have been abandoned.

If you have a junk car look into our Detroit cash for junk cars service.

What are the laws around junking a car in Detroit?

The Michigan code of Ordinances is the law that deals with junk dealers, junk vehicles, and junk collectors in Detroit.

The Michigan Vehicle code deals with junk cars. Section 248b of the Michigan Vehicle code states that a person who is a licensed junk car dealer in another state and wishes to start carrying out their business in Michigan has to obtain a scrap car certificate of title under the Michigan Vehicle Code.

The code defines a junk car vehicle, salvage vehicle, junk collector, junk dealer, and automotive recycler in Detroit.

Section 49 of the Code of Ordinance requires that a junk car dealer’s business shall be conducted on a premise that is entirely enclosed with a proper fence. If the junkyard is located along a public highway or street, any fence facing the highway or street shall be constructed of solid wood, metal, or masonry.

The code of Ordinance prohibits a junk dealer from receiving junk as security for a loan in exchange for any sum of money. It states that every junk car dealer shall keep proper records of his purchases and exchanges and shall provide them for examination when requested by the Detroit Police Department.

The Michigan Code of Ordinance provides for the details and documents a junk car buyer is supposed to obtain from a seller for the sake of record keeping.

These documents and details are listed below.

• The state license plate
• A photocopy of the driver’s license
• State Identification card of the junk car seller

A statement from the Junk car seller which provides is listed below.

• A declaration that the junk car was not obtained by theft or unlawfully.
• A declaration that the information given is true to the best of the persons knowledge and belief.
• The signature of the junk car seller.

The Detroit Code of Ordinance provides for the approval of premises used by junk car dealers to store and recycle scrap cars and the structural and fire safety requirements needed to maintain such premises in line with the Detroit Property Maintenance Code, the Detroit Fire Prevention Code and the Michigan Building Code.

The following three laws a person looking to buy and sell junk cars in Detroit must abide by are listed below.

1. The Detroit Code of Ordinances.
2. The Michigan Second hand and Junk Dealers Act.
3. The Michigan Vehicle Code.

What is the penalty for breaking the Detroit laws regarding Scrap Metal Vehicles?

Section 49, 7-12 of the Detroit Code of Ordinance lays out some of the penalties incurred by a person who does not follow its rules in relation to the buying and selling of Junk Cars in Detroit.

It states that a person who violated any sections of Article VII Division 1 which deals with junk dealers, junk vehicles and collectors in general and Division 2 which deals with Junk dealer licensing, Division 3 which deals with junk vehicle licensing and Division 4 which deals with a junk collector license and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for each violation and may be fined up to five hundred dollars, serve a 90 day jail sentence or both depending on the court’s discretion.

Can I get cash for junk cars with no title in Detroit?

No. One cannot junk their car with no title in Detroit. There are some exceptions concerning cars that have been abandoned on a person’s property for many years where you can get the necessary paperwork to prove that this is the case with your junk car from the local authorities. As a general rule in Detroit, one must have proof of ownership to show that they have a right to sell the car.

How to get a replacement title in Detroit?

A vehicle owner in Detroit who wishes to replace their title must first have the following seven documents when going to replace their car title.

1. Application
2. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
3. Current Registration Decal Number
4. Proof of Ownership
5. Current registration papers
6. Valid ID or driver’s license
7. A replacement fee.

After one has ensured they have all the relevant documents, if replacement is being done online one has to follow these five steps listed below in Detroit.

1. Visit the Michigan state website, Michigan.gov/SOS
2. Click on Online services
3. Go to the Vehicle Transactions Section.
4. If you do not already have a Secretary of State account, create one but if you already do, log in.
5. On your account click on the Vehicle Title duplicate section and then follow the online prompts.
6. Pay the $15 application fee.
7. Wait for 14 days to receive your duplicate car title.

If the replacement is being done in person, one is to follow these five steps below.

1. Walk into any Secretary of State office in Detroit.
2. Fill in your details on the application form.
3. Present the identification documents mentioned above.
4. Pay the $15 dollar fee for the application.
5. Wait for your duplicate title to arrive in 14 days.

Is it a requirement to notify the DMV when you junk a car in Detroit?

Yes, the Department of Motor Vehicles in Detroit has to know when one decides to sell, junk, donate, or trade a junk car because it has to keep a record of the transfer of ownership of all cars in the state. One has to have a genuine title transfer so that the DMV can change the registration of the junked vehicle.

Can I store junk cars on my property in Detroit?

State law in the city of Michigan is what applies in Detroit. The Michigan State Law states that one must cover a junk car from public view, one hide junk cars in Detroit by hiding them on abandoned grounds that are remote and not in public view or even dismantling the car to store it in parts. One stores their junk vehicle in an enclosed structure to shield it from public view in Detroit. Inoperable motor vehicles in Detroit cannot be stored in the yard, street, or driveway. They must be stored in a fully enclosed structure and out of public view.

Can I sell my car for parts in Detroit?

Yes. One can sell their car for parts in Detroit especially if they are knowledgeable on how to remove the prized car parts that are usually in demand. In Detroit, one is allowed to remove these parts and make more money off them separately.

There are five steps listed below one has to take in the selling of car parts in Detroit.

1. First, find where to sell car parts near you in Detroit. There is no need to spend huge amounts of time removing valuable car parts if you do not have a ready buyer.
2. Remove the car parts and clean them.
3. Make sure you have compared the different prices from car parts dealers in Detroit
4. Receive payment in cash for selling your car for parts.
5. Once you’re done selling all the valuable car parts, proceed to sell the remaining shell to a junk car buyer in Detroit.

Read about whether to sell a car for parts or not.

Is it possible to junk a car with a lien in Detroit?

No, it is not possible to junk a car with a lien in Detroit. The Code of Ordinance of Detroit is very strict on this. A vehicle must be paid off for the title to be in your name. If one still owes money on it, the financial institution owns your car. You must pay off the remaining balance before junking a car for cash in Detroit.