Yes, You Can! But You're Going to Need Some Help and Who Will Buy It?
Your vehicle is sitting in an impound facility, storage charges may be accumulating, and you've decided selling makes more financial sense than retrieving it. There's just one problem...Now you can’t find the title!
Does that mean you'll lose your impounded vehicle and owe the growing bill? Not necessarily. A missing title can complicate a sale, but there are ways to prove ownership and obtain a duplicate title you’ll need to move forward.
Can You Sell a Car Without the Original Title?
Transferring vehicle ownership requires a properly assigned certificate of title or another legally accepted ownership document. A registration card, insurance policy or bill of sale generally cannot replace a required title.
However, losing the paper certificate doesn't mean you've lost ownership. The important missing piece to this puzzle is proving you own the vehicle and having the legal authority to transfer it.
How Do You Replace a Lost Vehicle Title?
The process depends on your state's motor vehicle agency and whether the vehicle has an outstanding lien.
| Your Situation | What You May Need |
|---|---|
| Title lost or destroyed | Apply for a duplicate title through the state DMV |
| Vehicle has an outstanding loan | Contact the lender about lien and title requirements |
| Title is in another person's name | Have the legal owner complete the required transfer |
| Vehicle is under a police hold | Obtain release authorization before arranging a sale |
| Storage charges are accumulating | Confirm the balance and applicable deadlines |
Requirements, processing times and fees vary by state.
What If You Still Owe Money on the Car?
If your vehicle is financed, the lender may hold the title or have an electronically recorded lien. This doesn't automatically prevent you from selling it, but the lien must be properly addressed. Request your current loan payoff amount and ask the lender what documentation is required from them to allow you to sell the vehicle. And selling an impounded vehicle does not eliminate an outstanding loan or storage charges.
Can OUTPOUND Buy Your Vehicle Directly From Impound?
Our team may be able to purchase qualifying vehicles directly from impound facilities, even when the owner needs help determining which ownership documents are required. Our purchase depends on verified ownership, transferable title, applicable liens, release authorization and facility requirements. And, to be very clear, not every vehicle qualifies.
Before paying to retrieve a car you no longer want, find out whether a direct sale from impound to OUTPOUND is possible.
Lost Your Title? Don't Lose Your Options!
If your vehicle has been impounded and you have a missing title, the OUTPOUND team can help guide you through the steps to obtain a duplicate title and we may even be able to assist you with the process. Don't let missing paperwork keep you from exploring your options.
Contact OUTPOUND.com to explore whether your impounded vehicle qualifies for purchase and what documentation you'll need to move forward.
