Car Problem (Not Mechanical)

[Pento240sx]

Hello Niconauts. Well here's my little problem. I bought a 1995 VW Golf about a year+ and sold it 3 months later to a guy, that not registered the car and he sold it to some other guy witch did the same thing The only thing that, I forgot is to unregistered under my name. Now I got a letter of "Notice Of Pending Lien Sale For Vehicle Valued $4000 or Less". So it got towed and it has build up some storage fee. around $800 dollars. Now the question is, if I go and reclaim the vehicle will it be considered me stealing it from the owner (witch did not register or payed the tags) and can I get in trouble for it? I appreciate all the help.

[Bubba1]

Hello Niconauts. Well here's my little problem. I bought a 1995 VW Golf about a year+ and sold it 3 months later to a guy, that not registered the car and he sold it to some other guy witch did the same thing The only thing that, I forgot is to unregistered under my name. Now I got a letter of "Notice Of Pending Lien Sale For Vehicle Valued $4000 or Less". So it got towed and it has build up some storage fee. around $800 dollars. Now the question is, if I go and reclaim the vehicle will it be considered me stealing it from the owner (witch did not register or payed the tags) and can I get in trouble for it? I appreciate all the help.

if you sold the car with a clear title, that is, no liens against it, and gave the first buyer a signed title to the car, you should be off the hook. I'm assuming you did that.

Sounds like none of the subsequent owners registered the car and one of them got himself into a pickle. "Notice of Pending Lien Sale" means he did something wrong, like getting towed/impounded for being unregistered and it never got claimed. In many cities, unclaimed impounded cars accrue storage for a month, then get auctioned. It could be many things.

At this point, the only thing you might do is reach out to the guy you sold it to, if you still have his number or email address, and alert him. And if it was not him, perhaps he might try to contact the guy he sold it to. Chances are the current owner knows his car got impounded, and has probably decided it's not worth spending that much money on recovering an 18 yr old car

It would be highly unwise for you to pick up that car without the consent of the current owner. If you pick up the car, what are you gonna do with it? You'd have to pay a lotta money to get it out. You can't sell it, you can't re-register it as you don't own it. And the current owner is under no obligation to reimburse you from saving it from being auctioned.

If you want that car back, I suggest you wait and attend the auction, as it'll probably go for less than what you'd pay to get it out.

[Pento240sx]

I see. I was thinking of buying it an legalize it, so I could import it to Mexico. But you're right. I will wait than and see what come's up about the vehicle.

[S133P3R]

I had the same thing happen when I didn't notify the CA DMV that I sold a car with the title. The buyer never registered it and it was impounded. I believe the letter is not bill but a warning that they're selling if you don't pay and recoup the $800 for tow n stow. You technically hold a lien on the title and can go bid on the car when it is auctioned off by the tow yard, I read that on the auction info at the yard. Not sure if you would pay more or not tho. This is all Cali specific info. Good luck.

[C-Kwik]

I suspect it could be viewed as stealing if you recovered the car someone else paid you for. The new owner legally should have the right to recover the vehicle and if you do so, it could be viewed as theft. Its one thing to win it at auction, but another to pay the storage fees on a car you don't own and take possession. Keep in mind, some tow yards will send a notice of lien sale as soon as they get the car. If its a police impound with a hold, they do this in case the owners don't pick up the car soon after the hold is released. If the owner doesn't come in to recover it, they don't want it sitting around another month while they wait for the minimum notice time to pass. The car will be taking up space they could be using to make money off another vehicle.

Also consider, most tow yards don't let you see the vehicle prior to you paying the fees. For all you know, the car was totaled and abandoned. It could be worth less than the lien. If you really want to have a shot at taking ownership again, wait for auction. At least you'll get to see it first.

[Rex]

Hopefully, you have a signed Bill of Sale or some other "record" to show the date of the transaction. If not maybe the deposit record of the sale amount will help "prove" you sold the car.

For others reading this ...
Always make sure you have some kind of documented proof you sold the car. I like to go to the Motor Vehicles and transfer the title right then and there, else get the Title signatures Notarized and make a copy/take a picture of it.

[Pento240sx]

I will take your guys advise and just wait for the auction. There is no point of paying $1000+ for a vehicle that, I do not currently own. I will wait and see what happens. I appreciate all the advice that was given. Thanks.