How to Claim an Abandoned Car

Claiming the Abandoned Car From the Owner

1). Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and report the abandoned car's location, license plate number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN's location varies by make and model of the car, but it is usually on the dashboard near the windshield on the driver's side; on the door frame on the driver's side; or in front of the engine.
2). Ask the DMV to contact the car's owner on your behalf about selling you the car. Give the DMV your address and phone number so that the title owner of the car can get in contact with you should he want to sell it. When he calls you, tell him that if he is not willing to sell you the car, it will be impounded if he does not move it within a certain period of time.
3). Go to a notary and transfer the title. Pay the owner and the car is yours.
4). Contact the police about the car to make certain that it is not stolen if the DMV officer is not able to locate the owner. If the police are able to locate the owner, contact him about selling you the car. If he will not sell you the car and he does not move it, the car will be impounded and auctioned by the parking authority (or police or, in some cases, the towing company) to the highest bidder. Purchase the car at the auction and sign the title of the car.

1). Contact the DMV for the specific requirements for retitling the car if the car is a salvage vehicle (meaning it has a salvage certificate in place of a title). To gain ownership of a salvage vehicle and retitle it, the car first must be repaired to full working order. Pay the necessary fees, fill out the forms and have the car inspected. If the car passes, it can be reregistered in your name.
2). Contact the DMV for the process to retitle the car if the car has been junked. As with salvaged vehicles, the car must be restored to working order. Pay any necessary fees, fill out necessary forms, and have the car inspected. The car will then be issued a new title.
3). Sign the title for the formerly salvaged or junked car and it is yours.