marty
1 MW
Here are most wonderful instructions from Motor Vehicles on how to get a title to a abandoned car.
View attachment abandoned_vehicle_vessel.pdf
I have done this a few times before. At the end of the project I get a nice new title from Motor Vehicles. Then I sell the car. Now I am stuck. :? 2015 Kia Forte. Looks like a nice sporty 2 door car. Color is Black. Front is a little smashed up. Interior is dirty. Dirty like.... needs a 40 hour cleaning. Mechanically might have some issues but with out the key, kind of hard to guess if it runs? I can put it in neutral with a screw driver and push it. Steering wheel don't lock because car starts with a button. Car is parked outside at my shop.
History - My neighbor is a low budget car dealer. Think he buys cars for $100 and junks them for $200. This car was way too nice for scrap, so that is why I bought it.
Time line:
3/9/20 Purchase car from my neighbor. He said car was in a garage and owner left the country. That explains why both windows are about 1 inch down. Windows don't work because there is no key.
3/11/20 Xxxxxxx County Sheriff came to look at car and confirm that it was not stolen. Note the words not stolen on page 2 of Incident Report.
5/6/20 letter from Xxxxxxxxxx Town Attorney stating that the Town of Xxxxxxxxxx has no interest in this car.
8/12/20 Mail $10 and Motor Vehicles form MV15 [REQUEST FOR CERTIFIED DMV RECORDS]
Receive Abstract of Title Record. See HYUNDAI;LEASE as Current Owner.
9/12/20 Mail letter to Hyundai Motor Finance. Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. Got proof of delivery but no reply to letter.
Copy text of letter:
When I have done this in the past. The Certified Letter is returned to me because the owner is dead or moved away. I send this letter to Motor Vehicles as per their instructions:
10/19/20 Monday. Spent 1/2 a day on the phone with the Hyundai Company people. Finally got the Impound Team department. Talked to the impound Guy. This must be the guy who retrieves cars from impound lots. He ask what was the name of my shop? Told him that my shop really doesn't really have a name. I call it Marty's Play House. Impound Guy told me that car has a "Repo Order" That makes me a bit nervous because I have watched the car repossession show on TV. Don't think I would do well fighting with a large tow truck driver. Impound Guy asked how much I wanted for the car? I said $10,000 He said value of car is $6075 and most he can pay is $1675. Said that I would be happy with $1675. He said he would check with his boss and get back to me.
10/21/20 Today. No call back from Impound Guy. Called twice and left a message. I am thinking that the Hyundai Company has got more to worry about then a car with no key.
Any one got any ideas on how to get something in writing from the Hyundai Company saying they have no interest in this car? Wondering how to get Hyundai's legal department involved with this? Lawyers like to write letters. Hyundai and Kia are a bit related. They both in Korea.
If all else fails? Will remove the doors, engine, transmission, all heavy mechanical parts, and cut the body up with a reciprocating saw. Don't have a cutting torch. Could borrow one. Gas tank is not something I want to think about. Way too much work for a few hundred in scrap metal. Did call some junk yards. They won't buy a car with no title.
Anyone want to buy a 3000 pound push car? The horn works
View attachment abandoned_vehicle_vessel.pdf
I have done this a few times before. At the end of the project I get a nice new title from Motor Vehicles. Then I sell the car. Now I am stuck. :? 2015 Kia Forte. Looks like a nice sporty 2 door car. Color is Black. Front is a little smashed up. Interior is dirty. Dirty like.... needs a 40 hour cleaning. Mechanically might have some issues but with out the key, kind of hard to guess if it runs? I can put it in neutral with a screw driver and push it. Steering wheel don't lock because car starts with a button. Car is parked outside at my shop.
History - My neighbor is a low budget car dealer. Think he buys cars for $100 and junks them for $200. This car was way too nice for scrap, so that is why I bought it.
Time line:
3/9/20 Purchase car from my neighbor. He said car was in a garage and owner left the country. That explains why both windows are about 1 inch down. Windows don't work because there is no key.
3/11/20 Xxxxxxx County Sheriff came to look at car and confirm that it was not stolen. Note the words not stolen on page 2 of Incident Report.
5/6/20 letter from Xxxxxxxxxx Town Attorney stating that the Town of Xxxxxxxxxx has no interest in this car.
8/12/20 Mail $10 and Motor Vehicles form MV15 [REQUEST FOR CERTIFIED DMV RECORDS]
Receive Abstract of Title Record. See HYUNDAI;LEASE as Current Owner.
9/12/20 Mail letter to Hyundai Motor Finance. Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. Got proof of delivery but no reply to letter.
Copy text of letter:
September 12, 2020
CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Hyundai Motor Finance
PO Box 20829
Fountain Valley, CA 92728
Re: 2015 KIA Forte, Vehicle Number Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hyundai People,
Writing to you because [Hyundai, Lease] is listed as current owner on New York
State abstract of title record, which I have enclosed. Vehicle is in my possession. I
am requesting that the proof of ownership of this car be properly transferred to
myself Martin Xxxxxxxx.
If your company or registrant wants this 2015 KIA Forte? Please contact me to
make arrangements to remove car from my storage location.
Please contact me with any questions regarding this matter.
Love,
Martin Xxxxxxxx
When I have done this in the past. The Certified Letter is returned to me because the owner is dead or moved away. I send this letter to Motor Vehicles as per their instructions:
If your letter to the previous owner is returned as undeliverable by the Post Office, DO NOT OPEN IT. You will need to send it to us,
10/19/20 Monday. Spent 1/2 a day on the phone with the Hyundai Company people. Finally got the Impound Team department. Talked to the impound Guy. This must be the guy who retrieves cars from impound lots. He ask what was the name of my shop? Told him that my shop really doesn't really have a name. I call it Marty's Play House. Impound Guy told me that car has a "Repo Order" That makes me a bit nervous because I have watched the car repossession show on TV. Don't think I would do well fighting with a large tow truck driver. Impound Guy asked how much I wanted for the car? I said $10,000 He said value of car is $6075 and most he can pay is $1675. Said that I would be happy with $1675. He said he would check with his boss and get back to me.
10/21/20 Today. No call back from Impound Guy. Called twice and left a message. I am thinking that the Hyundai Company has got more to worry about then a car with no key.
Any one got any ideas on how to get something in writing from the Hyundai Company saying they have no interest in this car? Wondering how to get Hyundai's legal department involved with this? Lawyers like to write letters. Hyundai and Kia are a bit related. They both in Korea.
If all else fails? Will remove the doors, engine, transmission, all heavy mechanical parts, and cut the body up with a reciprocating saw. Don't have a cutting torch. Could borrow one. Gas tank is not something I want to think about. Way too much work for a few hundred in scrap metal. Did call some junk yards. They won't buy a car with no title.
Anyone want to buy a 3000 pound push car? The horn works