A car that hasn’t moved in months can quietly turn into a problem. One day there’s a notice on the door from the town, or a letter from your condo board, saying an inoperable or unplated vehicle has to go. If you live in Ajax, Toronto, or anywhere in the east GTA, scrap car removal in Ajax and the surrounding area can clear that car out before a deadline passes, often without you having to get it running first.
Canadian Auto Wreckers is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has been buying and removing scrap, junk, and unwanted vehicles since 1981. We pick up across Toronto and the east GTA, including Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Peterborough, and Kawartha Lakes.
CAW Team, Canadian Auto Wreckers
Key takeaways
- Many Ontario municipalities have property standards or parking bylaws that limit how long an inoperable, wrecked, or unplated vehicle can sit on a residential property or street.
- Condo corporations set their own rules in their declaration and rules, and many don’t allow unplated or non-running cars in owner or visitor parking.
- Read the notice carefully: note who sent it, what it asks for, and the deadline.
- A scrap car can usually be towed away as-is, even with flat tires, no battery, or no plates.
- Have the vehicle permit (ownership) in your name ready, and keep proof that the car was removed in case the town or condo asks.
Why would you get a notice about a car on your own property?
It surprises a lot of owners, but storing a car on your own driveway isn’t always unlimited. Municipalities across Ontario, including Toronto and Durham Region towns like Ajax, have property standards and yard maintenance rules. Some of these restrict keeping vehicles that are wrecked, dismantled, inoperable, or without current plates on residential land. Street parking rules can also lead to a car being tagged or towed if it sits too long in one spot.
The exact rules, wording, and deadlines differ from town to town and can change, so the notice you received, and your municipality’s own bylaw page, are the best source for what applies to you. If anything is unclear, call the number on the notice and ask what will satisfy the order.
What does a condo or rental notice usually mean?
Condo corporations and landlords often have stricter rules than the town. A condo’s declaration and rules commonly require every vehicle in the garage to be plated, insured, and in running condition, partly for insurance and fire-safety reasons and partly because parking spots are limited. A rental building may have similar terms in the lease.
If the car is in an underground garage, tell the scrap buyer early. Low clearance and tight ramps can affect which truck is sent and how the car is moved. Our post on condo, laneway, and street pickups in Toronto covers the logistics in more detail.
Town notice vs condo notice: what’s the difference?
| Question | Municipal (bylaw) notice | Condo or landlord notice |
|---|---|---|
| Who sends it? | A bylaw or property standards officer from your town or city | The property manager, condo board, or landlord |
| What rules apply? | The municipality’s property standards, yard, or parking bylaws | The condo declaration and rules, or the lease |
| What can happen if you ignore it? | Depending on the bylaw, follow-up orders, fines, or removal at the owner’s cost | Depending on the rules, warnings, charges added to your account, or towing |
| How do you resolve it? | Make the car compliant (plated and running) or remove it from the property | Make the car compliant, move it to another spot you’re allowed to use, or remove it |
Should you fix it, store it, or scrap it?
If the car is worth keeping, getting it plated, insured, and running is one way to comply. Moving it to paid storage is another, though storage costs add up month after month. For a car that has been sitting a long time, with flat tires, a dead battery, rust, or a failed engine, scrapping is often the simplest answer. Our guides on scrapping a car that has sat for years and whether a car is too rusty to keep can help you decide.
Can a non-running, unplated car be towed away?
Yes. A scrap car doesn’t need to start, roll on its own, or carry plates to be picked up. The tow truck does the work. When you call, describe the car honestly: whether the tires hold air, whether the wheels turn, whether it’s blocked in, and whether any parts are missing. That way the right truck comes and the quote doesn’t change on the day. If the keys are gone or parts have been taken off, see scrapping a car with no keys or missing parts.
What paperwork do you need in Ontario?
- Vehicle permit (ownership): the permit should be in your name, and you complete and sign the transfer section with the buyer’s details, sale date, and odometer reading. If the car belonged to someone who has passed away, see our guide on scrapping an estate vehicle.
- Lost ownership: a replacement permit can be requested through ServiceOntario. Our post on scrapping a car without ownership in Ontario explains the options.
- Licence plates: in Ontario, plates stay with you, not the car. If the car still has them, take them off before it’s towed.
- Proof of removal: keep a bill of sale with the date, VIN, and the buyer’s business name. It’s useful if the town, condo, or landlord asks you to confirm the car is gone.
For the full process, read how to scrap a car in Ontario.
Notice-to-pickup checklist
- ☐ Read the notice and write down the deadline and who to contact
- ☐ Decide whether to repair, store, or scrap the car
- ☐ Find the vehicle permit, or start a replacement through ServiceOntario
- ☐ Book pickup well before the deadline
- ☐ Tell the buyer where the car is (driveway, street, or underground garage) and its condition
- ☐ Let the property manager know a tow truck is coming, if it’s a condo or rental
- ☐ Remove personal items, garage openers, and toll transponders (see what to remove before scrapping)
- ☐ Take off any licence plates
- ☐ Sign the permit transfer and get a bill of sale
- ☐ Send proof of removal to whoever issued the notice, if they ask for it
- ☐ Cancel or update your insurance
Frequently asked questions
How fast can a car be removed after a notice?
It depends on the day and location, but booking as soon as you get the notice gives you the most room before the deadline. Have the car’s year, make, model, condition, and location ready when you call.
The car is in my name but parked at a relative’s house. Can it still be picked up?
Yes. Let us know the pickup address and make sure the property owner knows the tow is coming. You, as the registered owner, still need to handle the permit transfer.
Is towing included?
With a reputable buyer, the tow should be part of the offer. Ask when you book whether the quoted amount is what you receive, with no towing deductions. Our post on avoiding scams when selling your car for cash lists other questions worth asking.
Do you pick up outside Ajax and Toronto?
Yes. We pick up across Toronto and the east GTA, including Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Peterborough, and Kawartha Lakes.
Get the car gone before the deadline
If you’ve received a bylaw, condo, or landlord notice about a car that no longer runs, tell us the year, make, model, condition, and where it’s parked, and we’ll give you a clear quote with towing included. Call 416-559-3683 or use our online quote form. Learn more about our scrap car removal in Ajax and scrap car removal in Toronto services.