How to Obtain a Title for an Abandoned Car

Obtaining a title to an abandoned car is quite easy if the car is over 10 years old. This is probably because it is relatively common for individuals to abandon older cars that are not worth very much money. Sometimes an individual takes a car to a repair shop to have it fixed, but then cannot afford to pay for the repairs. Sometimes cars that will not run are left in the yard when the owner moves to a new residence. If you have possession of an abandoned car you need to obtain a title to dispose of the car legally.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Abandoned vehicle form Abandoned vehicle Police officer Ink pen

1. 
   Contact DMV or SOS

   Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles DMV or Secretary of State office SOS and ask for an abandoned vehicle from. In Michigan, this is a green form called a TR-54.

2. 
   Call Sheriff or state police

   Contact local police enforcement agency and request an officer to come to the location of the abandoned car to fill out the abandoned vehicle form. Do not use an emergency response number like 911 to get this service. Look in the government pages of your phone book under state, or county and find the state police or county sheriff’s non-emergency number.

3. 
   Wait for police officer to arrive

   Wait near the car for a law enforcement officer to arrive, have your abandoned vehicle form, and ink pen ready. Fill in your name and address on the form, and try to locate the VIN, vehicle identification number on the vehicle for the officer to confirm. The VIN is usually on the dash, visible by looking through the windshield. However, very old vehicles may have VINs in other locations.

4. 
   Apply for title

   Take the completed form to the DMV or SOS along with the correct fee to apply for a title.

Tips & Warnings

• For newer vehicles, you will have to locate the owner of record and get an actual title or take the person with you to the DMV or SOS to do a transfer without a title.
• Some townships and cities charge fees or penalties for having junk in your yard. Have a plan for storing or moving the abandoned vehicle before transferring it into your name.

Resources

• How to Change Your Address on Your Driver's License
• How to Obtain a Drivers License
• How to Buy a Foreclosure House
• How to Ship the Cheapest Using USPS, United States Postal Service

[painthorse42]

on 5/26/2009 Very informative! 5*

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 5/20/2009 Interesting article on How to Obtain a Title for an Abandoned Car

[elyria]

on 5/4/2009 Well written article with great advice!