Did you ever wonder why it’s so hard to get a title for an abandoned vehicle or to even file for an abandoned vehicle? In almost all 50 states, filing for an abandoned vehicle means you are giving away the vehicle. You don’t get to keep it. Abandoned vehicles are not “finder’s keepers”. It’s not where you can just file and get to claim a vehicle because it’s abandoned. In fact, most of the time when the word abandoned is used, the state will seize the vehicle from you and sell it at auction after going through a notification process.
So, why is it so hard to file for an abandoned vehicle? Here’s an example. Here’s a comment from one of our prior videos from a user who said “My vehicle has a warning under investigation over an abandoned vehicle. My truck is in front of my property on a public residential street. It has an active sticker. The truck moves but it simply doesn’t move that much because we all work from home. We order things online. We have our own gym room. We pay our taxes and business.” So here’s a person who has their vehicle on the street in front of their house. Somebody obviously saw it and thought maybe it was abandoned it hasn’t moved for a long time and they filed an abandoned vehicle report. And so they put a sticker on it and that’s what the state will do.
The government will put a sticker on it. They’ll give it some time, notify the owner, and if they don’t hear back, they’ll auction it off. Well, that vehicle that you’re calling abandoned maybe somebody’s vehicle that’s on vacation or in the military. Maybe they don’t go out that much or it’s an extra vehicle. You may know about that vehicle, you may know that the person moved out of the apartment and they went overseas or you may know that they died. You may know more about it, but it doesn’t matter though because the DMV doesn’t know and they’re not allowed to issue you a title saying you are the owner until they exhaust all of the investigations. That’s why this person says, “the vehicles under investigation”, that’s what they do. The DMV agency in your state will do an investigation before they do anything with an abandoned vehicle. They want to make sure that no one wants that vehicle. Not the prior owner, not a lien holder, not a relative, not a co-owner.
Once the investigation is completed and the prior owner or other security interests have been notified and do not have an interest in claiming the vehicle, the state will auction it off for the value of the vehicle. Once it’s auctioned off that money is held. Some of it is used to pay the fees for towing or for auctioning, but the rest of that money is held in case later somebody comes forward and said Hey that’s my car! If it’s truly abandoned and nobody wants it then the money actually goes to the state. They get to keep it. Abandoned vehicles are not it’s not the wild west where you can just claim something that you see that’s unoccupied Now, if it’s a different story than that which it usually is, maybe you bought a car or somebody that you know, put on your property or they gave it to you. That’s a different story. Now you have methods of filing for a title. You can do a court order title or you could do a civil lien instead of a mechanics lien.
Be very careful about using the word abandoned vehicle because as soon as you do that, it may trigger a requirement that the state seizes it. They do an investigation, then they auction it off. And this is the reason why this person worries about losing their car because they don’t go anywhere. You know they go door dash, Uber or, they have a gym in their house and they don’t go anywhere which a lot of people do now. This is to protect somebody like this. This may not be the case in your situation but the state doesn’t know that so they’re not allowed to simply hand over a title. Use one of the other methods other than abandoned such as court order title, civil lien, or bonded title.
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Order Vermont Title LoopholeOrder Deceased Owner Title TransferOrder Bonded Title ProcessOrder Abandoned Vehicle ProcessOrder Prior Owner ContactOrder Lien Release Request LetterPGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vYXBwLmFjdWl0eXNjaGVkdWxpbmcuY29tL3NjaGVkdWxlLnBocD9vd25lcj0xOTQ4ODEyNiZhcHBvaW50bWVudFR5cGU9MjMwNjY0MTAiIHRpdGxlPSJTY2hlZHVsZSBBcHBvaW50bWVudCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iODAwIiBmcmFtZUJvcmRlcj0iMCI+PC9pZnJhbWU+PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZW1iZWQuYWN1aXR5c2NoZWR1bGluZy5jb20vanMvZW1iZWQuanMiIHR5cGU9InRleHQvamF2YXNjcmlwdCI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+
Curious about the history of a potential vehicle purchase? Running a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) search can provide you with a wealth of information, unveiling the mysteries hidden beneath the surface. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of conducting a VIN search and understanding the nuances of a vehicle’s background check.
Understanding VIN Searches: More Than Just Numbers
Running a VIN search isn’t a one-size-fits-all process; it can mean different things to different people. To simplify this intricate task, our website at cartitles.com offers a user-friendly link to VIN searches, leveraging the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS).
Decoding the NMVTIS: What You Can Find
Upon initiating a VIN search through NMVTIS, you gain access to a comprehensive vehicle history report. This report typically includes essential details such as the vehicle’s specifications, title records, sales records, potential issues like salvage or theft, and even market values.
Deconstructing a Vehicle History Report: What to Look For
Let’s break down the key elements of a standard vehicle history report:
Navigating VIN Search Limitations and Solutions
While a VIN search provides a wealth of information, it’s essential to acknowledge its limitations. Not every detail may be present, and some factors, like the name of the current owner, are protected by the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). However, there’s a workaround – many states offer a DPPA exemption form, allowing you to access the name of the current registrant by applying through the VIN search report.
Empowering Your Vehicle Purchase Decision
Running a VIN search is a pivotal step in making an informed decision about a potential vehicle purchase. Whether you’re examining title records, assessing market values, or ensuring the absence of significant issues, a comprehensive understanding of the vehicle’s history empowers you as a buyer. Begin with a VIN search, explore the NMVTIS, and if needed, leverage the DPPA exemption to delve deeper into the details that matter to you.
For additional queries or assistance, feel free to reach out to our help desk at [email protected]. Drive confidently, armed with the knowledge of your vehicle’s past.
Ever found yourself curious about the challenges of obtaining a title for an abandoned vehicle? The process is far more intricate than a simple “Finders Keepers” scenario. In this blog post, we explore the complexities surrounding abandoned vehicles, shedding light on why filing for one may not be the straightforward solution you might think.
The Illusion of Abandoned Vehicle Claims
Many have pondered why it’s a daunting task to secure a title for an abandoned vehicle. Contrary to common belief, filing for an abandoned vehicle doesn’t mean you get to keep it. Abandoned vehicles are not subject to the “Finders Keepers” rule. In fact, filing for an abandoned vehicle often results in the state seizing it, followed by an auction process.
User’s Dilemma: A Warning of an Abandoned Vehicle Investigation
A user shared their predicament on one of our previous videos. Their truck, parked on a public residential street, had an active sticker until 2023. However, due to infrequent movement, a concerned citizen reported it as an abandoned vehicle. This initiated a process where the government placed a warning sticker, notified the owner, and, if unresolved, would lead to an auction.
Why Filing Triggers an Investigation
When an abandoned vehicle report is filed, the government intervenes by initiating an investigation. This investigative process is crucial before any action is taken concerning the vehicle. The goal is to ensure that no rightful owner, lien holder, relative, or co-owner has a claim on the vehicle. Until this exhaustive investigation is complete, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) refrains from issuing a title to a new claimant.
Abandoned Doesn’t Mean Unwanted: A Critical Distinction
What might seem like an abandoned vehicle to one person could be a seldom-used vehicle belonging to someone on vacation, in the military, or with other reasons for limited movement. Despite your awareness of the vehicle’s history, the DMV requires concrete evidence and a thorough investigation before considering a change of ownership.
The Auction Process: Why It Matters
In the event that an abandoned vehicle remains unclaimed after the investigation, the government proceeds with an auction. The funds generated from the auction cover towing and administrative fees, with any remaining amount held in case a previous owner or rightful claimant comes forward. If unclaimed, the surplus goes to the state.
Alternative Solutions: Court Order Title, Civil Lien, and More
Rather than opting for the term “abandoned vehicle,” individuals seeking ownership of a vehicle with a complex history can explore alternative methods. Options such as court order titles, civil liens, and bonded titles provide legal pathways to secure ownership without triggering a state seizure.
A Cautionary Note: Be Informed, Be Careful
The term “abandoned vehicle” should be approached with caution. Triggering a state investigation can result in unintended consequences, especially if the vehicle has a rightful owner who hasn’t been accounted for. Understanding the available alternatives, such as court order titles or civil liens, ensures a more controlled and legally sound process.
Choose Wisely, Own Responsibly
In the realm of obtaining vehicle titles, knowledge is power. Before embarking on the journey to claim ownership of a vehicle with a complex history, explore the diverse avenues available. Abandoned vehicles may not be the untamed territories where you can claim ownership at will. Choose the right method, navigate the process wisely, and own responsibly. For detailed instructions on alternative title acquisition methods, visit our website at cartitles.com.
Why are there so many problems with titles for vehicle lease buyouts? Our help desk sees this problem frequently where somebody gets to the end of their lease and decides to pursue a buyout, but then months or years later they end up with a vehicle they can’t drive because they don’t have a legal title. You paid big money for your buyout, why does this happen?
When you lease a car from the dealership, the dealer will have the vehicle titled in the name of the lease company, not your name. This is because when leasing a car, the lease company is technically the owner of the vehicle, you are essentially renting the car. You may be the registrant, meaning that your name is on the registration and associated with the license plate, but the titled owner is the leasing company. When leasing a car, you are the registered driver, not the registered owner.
Leasing a car from a dealership is different from financing a car from a dealership. When you finance a car, you are also one of the owners of the vehicle in addition to the lender/lienholder. This is because you purchased the car with the assistance of the lender/lienholder, therefore once the loan is satisfied, the lender/lienholder will no longer be an owner. When leasing a vehicle, once the lease is up, the car either goes back to the leasing company or you can buy out the vehicle from them.
When you get to the end of the lease, you’ll have the option to buy out the vehicle from the leasing company, trade it in for another vehicle, or give the car back without a buyout or replacement. After driving the car for a few years, many people opt to buy out the vehicle from the leasing company. If you decide to buy out the vehicle, the leasing company is supposed to sign the title over to you as the new owner, record it with the DMV agency in the state, and have the DMV issue a new title with your name on it. If they don’t do this, they remain the registered owner of the vehicle.
Here’s where the big problem lies… many people assume that the leasing company took the car out of their name, but they didn’t. Later on down the road, this creates a big problem if you are planning to sell or trade in the vehicle because if you’re not the registered owner according to the DMV, you cannot sell or trade in the vehicle because you don’t own it. If 2-3 years later you try to reach out to the DMV or the leasing company, they may have problems locating the correct paperwork, no longer have the specific documentation, or no longer be in business. What ends up happening is the lessee who bought out the lease thought they were the registered owner, but now have a piece of metal they can’t do anything with because they’re not listed as the registered owner.
If you’re at the end of your lease and you’re considering a lease-end buyout, make sure to get the title transferred into your name as soon as possible. Make sure you have an actual certificate of title in your name with your name on the front. If you don’t see the title in the mail within 2 weeks of the buyout, follow up with both the leasing company and the DMV agency in your state. The leasing company has legal obligations to properly complete the transfer so make sure to alert the DMV of any issues you may have with the transfer.
If it’s been a longer amount of time, maybe you bought out your lease a year or two ago, you may need to use a court order process or a bonded title process to get the title transferred to your name properly.
Another option is to prepare the transfer paperwork for the leasing company and mail it to them directly. Each state has its own title transfer form. Find the form specific to your state and complete as much as you can. Send the form to the leasing company with indicators on where to sign. Include an envelope and stamp so they can easily send the documents back to you. When you receive them, submit them to the DMV in your state by mail or in person. Sometimes the convenience factor is what gets the ball rolling.
Most of the time when lease-end buyouts have title problems, it’s not because the leasing company is purposely forgetting or being malicious. Leasing companies don’t normally have a large department of people that are responsible for issuing titles and processing title transfers. Their main business is leasing new vehicles and collecting payments and may not have a large administrative department. While title transfers are still an obligation for the leasing companies to complete, it’s important to remember that the reason there are problems with the process isn’t necessarily due to maliciousness.
So if you’re considering a lease-end buyout option, make sure to take into consideration the title transfer process and how you plan to get this done. Avoid trying to do this over the phone, you are more likely to get results if you have the process in writing such as through email or postal mail. Make the process easier for the leasing company by doing some of the paperwork for them, and follow up with the DMV if you haven’t received your title yet. If it’s your car, you deserve a title with your name on it.
Need a court-ordered title transfer? CourtOrderedTitle.com provides everything you need to get your paperwork filed and get your court-ordered vehicle title.
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Anytime we see examples of EV battery replacement costs we always like to feature them here. Here’s an article from Green Cars, talks about the cost of replacing the battery. Here are some real-world examples that they talk about.
The Prius might cost you $2,700, whereas a Tesla could cost $20,000. So that’s a big price range. The article states that the prices for lithium-ion battery packs have declined since 2007 which is a good thing because a Tesla Model S in 2020 would cost $16,000 before labor and that’s just for the part. In the future that might cost closer to $7,000 because the battery production costs may go down. In general, they’re talking about $89 per kilowatt hour in a couple of years. In a decade it might be $56 per kilowatt hour. As of 2020, the average cost was $137. The typical EV battery with 40-kilowatt hours could cost about $5K-$6K and some batteries could be $13,000, again that is without labor. Labor can cost another couple thousand. There’s also a used market for those. E-bay is a source for a used market. Nissan leaf and Chevy bolt had prices of $6,200 and $16,000 respectively. BMW I3 had a $13,500 battery. There’s a lot of range in what it costs to get a battery for those vehicles.
The big question is going to be is it available? We’ve seen some vehicles that when they get older, there are no sources for batteries anymore. So if you are driving an electric vehicle and you see your capacity getting down because once it gets below seven 70% the factory warranty probably is going to kick in but if it’s still above 70%, and you’re not quite at the top yet, you may not have the ability to put in a warranty claim. So you might want to start looking at used batteries while they’re still available because there are already some that are out of production and you can’t get a new battery for your electric vehicle. If anybody’s put a battery in their electric vehicle as a replacement, put comments below to let us know how much it cost. If you have a copy of the receipt put it there. I’m sure the other viewers would like to see real-world examples of electric vehicle battery replacement.
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