Cash for Cars and Junk Cars in Memphis

What do I need to sell my junk car in Memphis?

To sell junk cars in Memphis one must be able to prove ownership of the vehicle.  One can prove ownership of a vehicle by providing the valid vehicle title in their name.  If the vehicle title is missing the vehicle registration and bill of sale is required to sell junk cars in Memphis.

Junk cars over 12 years old can be sold without a title in Memphis with a Certification of Ownership. The Certification of Ownership application can also be used to get a title for junk cars in Memphis newer than 12 years but missing ownership documents. Junk Car Medics helps you complete this paperwork when required in Memphis.

How does Memphis define a junk vehicle?

The City of Memphis does not specifically define junk vehicle. Junk cars that are not allowed by Memphis law are referred to as public nuisance vehicles. These include inoperative, rusted, significantly damaged, junked, or unlicensed motor vehicles. Parts cars being used in the major overhaul of another vehicle are also junk cars but are not considered nuisance vehicles if they are stored in a garage.

Junk cars in Memphis are also called totaled cars, decrepit cars, scrap cars, and clunkers. Most junk cars in Memphis are at least 15 years old and have at least 155,000 miles unless they have been in a vehicle accident. Junk cars come in all conditions including damaged, wrecked, and totally inoperable. Scrap car shells also count as junk cars in Memphis. The generally accepted junk car definition is one that should not or cannot be operated on the roads and highways safely.

What are the laws around junking a car in Memphis?

The laws around junking a car in Memphis can be found in Section 730-732 of the city of Memphis vehicle code and Section 55-3-202 of the Tennessee state vehicle code. Both of these junk car recycling laws regulate licensure and required reporting from junk car facilities.

Section 55-3-202 of the vehicle code in Tennessee requires all vehicle dismantlers and auto recyclers to obtain a certificate of title for every vehicle they buy unless the vehicle is 12 years or older and is being sold only for parts, dismantling, or scrap. All junk vehicles sold without a title in Memphis must be reported to the DMV. A Certification of Ownership is required and the junkyard must wait 3 business days before recycling the junk car bought without a title in Memphis.

The following laws for junking a car in Memphis are found in the city vehicle code. These 3 laws dictate how dealers in second hand vehicles, including junk car buyers, must operate within the city of Memphis.

• 730 states that all dealers in second hand vehicles must record every junk car they buy.
• 731 requires those junk car buyers to report purchases to the Memphis police the following business day after paying cash for the junk car.
• 732 dictates that the junk car buyer must wait 24 hours after reporting the junk car sale before disposing of the junk vehicle or transferring the junk car to an auto dismantler or other entity.

Most of the laws for junking a car in Memphis fall under the responsibility of junk car buyers and other junk car facilities like auto salvage yards, junkyards, and vehicle recyclers. There are also junk car laws in Memphis about the storage of junk cars and these are given below.

What is the penalty for breaking the junk car recycling laws in Memphis?

Selling a junk car without a title in Tennessee by committing fraud on a certification of ownership is a Class A misdemeanor resulting in a penalty of up to 11 months 29 days in jail, up to $1000 in fines, or both. A junk car buyer purchasing a junk car without a title in Memphis without appropriate ownership documentation also faces a Class A misdemeanor charge.

Junk car buyers in Memphis can also face local penalties if they do not follow the reporting requirements in Sections 730-732 of the city vehicle code as described above. The penalty for this is a misdemeanor charge and a fine of $25 to $100.

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

Yes, you can get cash for junk cars with no title in Memphis when the vehicle is at least 12 years old and has value as nothing but scrap or salvage parts. Other proof of ownership is required to sell junk cars with no title in Memphis. A certification of ownership is a required affidavit of ownership that must be submitted to the junk car buyer when selling a junk car with no title in Memphis.

Vehicle Titles	Percent	Value
Junked Car With Title in Memphis	70%	$521.31
Junked Car With Rebuilt Title in Memphis	11.54%	$491.67
Junked Car With No Title in Memphis	18.64%	$138.02

Read more about junking a car without title.

How to get a replacement title in Memphis?

To get a replacement title in Memphis one must go to the local office of the Tennessee DMV and complete an application for duplicate title, which is called the Multi-Purpose, Noting of Lien, and Duplicate Title Application in Tennessee. Proof of identity is also required. A duplicate title application can only be completed if the vehicle was previously titled and registered in Tennessee and must be completed by the owner of record. A lien release is also required if removing a lien from a vehicle title. The fee for a duplicate title is $14 and all duplicate titles are mailed.

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

No, it is not a requirement to notify the DMV when you junk a car in Memphis. Reporting a vehicle sale to the DMV is only required when an individual sells a car to another individual in Tennessee.

Can I store junk cars on my property in Memphis?

Yes, you can store junk cars on your property in Memphis as long as they are in an enclosed garage meant for the purpose. According to Section 302.8 of the Memphis city code there is no legal storage of inoperative, rusted, significantly damaged, junked, or unlicensed motor vehicles and no vehicle can be in a state of disassembly or disrepair unless it is in a garage. Vehicles in a garage being repaired or being used in the restoration of another vehicle are allowed. Residential private property is limited to 4 vehicles per lot unless it is a multi-family dwelling.

Can I sell my car for parts in Memphis?

No, you cannot sell your car for parts in Memphis. The storage of junk cars on private property are limited to those being repaired or parts cars being used in a repair of a personal vehicle. This means that an individual cannot legally store a vehicle for the purpose of selling the parts. If you have another location to store the junk car outside of Memphis you can sell a car for parts by removing the valuable parts, cleaning them, and finding buyers for the used auto parts. More about selling a car for parts.

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

No, it is not possible to junk a car with a lien in Memphis. Similar to a mortgage, a lien on a title means that the financial institution that loaned the money to purchase the vehicle is still owed. The lien is removed when the loan is paid off and a lien release is submitted to the DMV using the same application used to get a duplicate title. Until the lien is removed the junk car seller does not actually fully own the vehicle and therefore cannot sell it to a junk car buyer in Memphis.