2009 North Carolina Code
Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles.
§ 20-62.1. Purchase of vehicles for purposes of scrap or parts only.

§ 20‑62.1.  Purchase of vehicles for purposes of scrap or parts only.

(a)        Records for Scrap or Parts. – A secondary metals recycler, as defined in G.S. 66‑11(a)(3), and a salvage yard, as defined in G.S. 20‑137.7(6), purchasing motor vehicles solely for the purposes of dismantling or wrecking such motor vehicles for the recovery of scrap metal or for the sale of parts only, must comply with the provision of G.S. 20‑61, provided, however, that a secondary metals recycler or salvage yard may purchase a motor vehicle without a certificate of title, if the motor vehicle is 10 model years old or older and the secondary metals recycler or salvage yard comply with the following requirements:

(1)        Maintain a record of all purchase transactions of motor vehicles. The following information shall be maintained for transactions of motor vehicles:

a.         The name and address of the secondary metals recycler or salvage yard.

b.         The name, initials, or other identification of the individual entering the information.

c.         The date of the transaction.

d.         A description of the motor vehicle, including the make and model to the extent practicable.

e.         The vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle.

f.          The amount of consideration given for the motor vehicle.

g.         A written statement signed by the seller or the seller's agent certifying that the seller or the seller's agent has the lawful right to sell and dispose of the motor vehicle.

h.         The name and address of the person from whom the motor vehicle is being purchased.

i.          A photocopy or electronic scan of a valid drivers license or identification card issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles of the seller of the motor vehicle, or seller's agent, to the secondary metals recycler or salvage yard, or in lieu thereof, any other identification card containing a photograph of the seller as issued by any state or federal agency of the United States: provided, that if the buyer has a copy of the seller's photo identification on file, the buyer may reference the identification that is on file, without making a separate photocopy for each transaction. If seller has no identification as described in this sub‑subdivision, the secondary metals recycler or salvage yard shall not complete the transaction.

(2)        Maintain the information required under subdivision (1) of this subsection for not less than two years from the date of the purchase of the motor vehicle.

(b)        Inspection of Motor Vehicles and Records. – At any time it appears a secondary metals recycler, salvage yard, or any other person involved in secondary metals operations is open for business, a law enforcement officer shall have the right to inspect the following:

(1)        Any and all motor vehicles in the possession of the secondary metals recycler, the salvage yard, or any other person involved in secondary metals operations.

(2)        Any records required to be maintained under subsection (a) of this section.

(c)        Violations. – Any person who knowingly and willfully violates any of the provisions of this section, or any person who falsifies the statement required under subsection (a)(1)g. of this section, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense. A second or subsequent violation of this section is a Class I felony. The court may order a defendant seller under this subsection to make restitution to the secondary metals recycler or salvage yard for any damage or loss caused by the defendant seller arising out of an offense committed by the defendant seller.

(d)        Confiscation of Vehicle or Tools Used in Illegal Sale. – Any motor vehicle used to transport another motor vehicle illegally sold under this section may be seized by law enforcement and is subject to forfeiture by the court, provided, however, that no vehicle used by any person in the transaction of a sale of regulated metals is subject to forfeiture unless it appears that the owner or other person in charge of the motor vehicle is a consenting party or privy to the commission of a crime, and a forfeiture of the vehicle encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party who had no knowledge of or consented to the act.

Whenever property is forfeited under this subsection by order of the court, the law enforcement agency having custody of the property shall sell any forfeited property which is not required to be destroyed by law and which is not harmful to the public, provided that the proceeds are remitted to the Civil Fines and Forfeitures Fund established pursuant to G.S. 115C‑457.1.

(e)        Exemptions. – As used in this section, the term "motor vehicle" shall not include motor vehicles which have been mechanically flattened, crushed, baled, or logged and sold for purposes of scrap metal only.

(f)         Preemption. – No local government shall enact any local law or ordinance with regards to the regulation of the sale of motor vehicles to secondary metals recyclers or salvage yards. (2007‑505, s. 1.)