What Happens to Abandoned Cars on the Side of the Road?

You’ve probably passed by an old and dusty car abandoned on the side of the road at least once in your life, and like many, you probably wondered where these abandoned cars eventually ended up. They can’t stay there forever, so what exactly happens to these abandoned cars?

What Is an Abandoned Car?

Most abandoned vehicles have a distinct look: dirt buildup surrounding the car, flat tires, missing license plates, and parking tickets collecting on the windshield. However, not every old and dusty car you see parked at the side of the road is an abandoned car.

Each state has its own legal definition of an abandoned car, but most consider any vehicle that’s been left on the side of the road for more than 72 hours as one.

Sometimes, what looks like an abandoned car might just be an unclaimed vehicle, which refers to a vehicle held under the law by a business or agency until the owner pays.

What Happens to Cars Abandoned on the Road?

Abandoned cars can’t stay on the road forever, but who exactly deals with them before they’re auctioned off or scrapped? Well, it all depends on where they’re abandoned.

Abandoned Cars on Highways

It depends on what state you live in, but most states place the responsibility of collecting cars abandoned on highways to their state highway patrols.

State highway patrols are in charge of keeping highways free from any kind of obstructions, including abandoned vehicles and roadkill. They typically collect abandoned vehicles and auction them off to interested parties.

Abandoned Cars on Local Roads

If you find an abandoned vehicle on your local road, you’ll have to report it to your local-level officials instead of your state’s highway patrol. In general, local roads in your town fall under your local government’s supervision, but some places will have two different agencies handling abandoned vehicles.

For example, New York City has two city agencies in charge of removing road obstructions. The New York Police Department is in charge of towing abandoned or stolen vehicles in okay condition. On the other hand, the Department of Sanitation takes care of derelict vehicles abandoned on local roads.

Abandoned Cars on Private Property

Sometimes, owners abandon their cars on private property instead of leaving them on the side of the road. For example, tenants might leave their broken vehicles in their apartment’s garage once their lease ends.

In most cases, landlords have to provide tenants with a written notice about their abandoned property. If the tenant doesn’t respond within the given time frame, then the landlord can go ahead and report the abandoned vehicle to the police, who will then handle its inspection and towing.

How To Get a Title for an Abandoned Vehicle

You know how people always say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure? Well, that applies to abandoned vehicles too. Here are some tips to consider if you want to claim an abandoned vehicle as your own:

Double Check if It’s an Abandoned Vehicle

Before everything else, you’ll have to make sure you’re actually dealing with an abandoned vehicle. Check with your state highway patrol or your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website to see what they consider to be an abandoned vehicle.

Research About Your Legal Rights

Is the abandoned vehicle you want to claim on your property? If it is, then you might be able to buy it directly from the original owner or ask them to transfer the title to you. In some states, however, local authorities will still collect and auction off an abandoned car even if it was left on your property.

The process of reporting and collecting abandoned cars differs per state, so you’ll want to make sure you do your research about your legal rights.

Inspect the Vehicle

It doesn’t hurt to take a closer look at the abandoned vehicle, so go ahead and inspect the vehicle as thoroughly as you can. If you want, you can even ask a mechanic to help you. That way, you know exactly what you’re getting into before claiming the abandoned vehicle’s title.

Look for the Owner

Manufacturers assign every vehicle with a unique 17-digit code made up of numbers and letters called a vehicle identification number (VIN), which you can use to track down the owner of an abandoned vehicle.

You can typically find the VIN on the lower left corner of the dashboard, on the front engine block, or under the container that holds windshield fluid. Once you find it, visit your local DMV and ask them to help you track down the owner.

Try To Purchase From the Owner Directly

If possible, try to purchase the abandoned car directly from the owner. Bidding for it against other interested parties can be a hassle, so your best bet is making a deal with the owner. Once you two agree on a price, all that’s left to do is prepare all the necessary documents, such as an Abandoned Vehicle Report and an Authorization for Transfer of Ownership.

Bid at the Auction

You can always try your luck at the auction if your state or local government won’t let you purchase the abandoned car directly from the owner. They typically auction abandoned vehicles at inexpensive prices anyway. You just have to outbid any other interested buyers.