What to Do If Your Junk Car Is Towed by the City in Columbus

id you wake up to find your junk car missing from your driveway, street, or backyard? If you live in Columbus, there’s a good chance it was towed by city authorities for violating local junk vehicle ordinances. Don’t panic—Columbus Junk Cars Express is here to walk you through the steps to locate your vehicle, understand why it was removed, and what you can do next.

Columbus Junk Cars Express

7/14/20252 min read

Why Junk Cars Get Towed in Columbus

Columbus city code defines a “junk motor vehicle” as one that is:

Inoperable or unlicensed
Visibly damaged or missing essential parts
Stored outdoors for more than 72 hours in view of the public

Vehicles that violate these conditions may be tagged and, if not removed within a set timeframe, towed by city enforcement officers.

Step 1: Confirm If the City Towed Your Vehicle

If your car is gone, check for:

An official towing notice or sticker previously placed on the vehicle
Calls or letters from Columbus Code Enforcement
Towing signs in the area if it was parked near public property

Then call 311 or the Columbus Division of Police Impound Lot at (614) 645-6400 to check if your vehicle was towed.

Step 2: Retrieve the Vehicle (If You Plan to Keep It)

To reclaim your vehicle, you’ll typically need:

A valid government-issued ID
Proof of ownership (vehicle title or registration)
Payment for storage and towing fees, which increase daily

Note: If the vehicle is already considered scrap or not worth reclaiming, you may want to explore releasing it directly to a licensed junk car buyer instead.

Step 3: Understand the Cost vs. Value of Recovery

Reclaiming a towed junk car can cost anywhere from $150 to $500+ depending on how long it has been stored. If your vehicle:

Has significant damage
No longer runs
Lacks a current title or tags
Isn’t worth more than the fees

…it may be more economical to release ownership and sell the vehicle as junk.

Step 4: Sell the Car Instead of Reclaiming It

If you decide not to retrieve your vehicle:

Request an abandonment form or release paperwork from the impound lot
Contact Columbus Junk Cars Express to arrange legal purchase and pickup
Provide your ID and any paperwork (even if the title is missing—we can help)

We can often help recover vehicles from impound, offer cash for their salvage value, and handle all paperwork legally.

Step 5: Avoid Future Towing Issues

To prevent repeat situations:

Remove non-running vehicles from public view within 72 hours
Store cars in garages or behind fences
Use a licensed junk car removal service before city enforcement steps in

Meta Description:
Junk car towed in Columbus? Learn what to do next, how to recover it (or sell it), and how Columbus Junk Cars Express can help resolve the situation fast.

📍 Columbus Junk Cars Express
📞 (614) 440-1222
📧 info@columbusjunkcarsexpress.com
📍 3550 Groveport East Rd, Columbus, OH 43207
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