When your vehicle ends up at a tow yard, impound lot, or even a mechanic's shop, it can quickly turn into an gigantic emotional roller coaster ride, especially if you're being told you can’t get it back. Many vehicle owners are surprised to learn that these facilities may legally hold your car and, in some cases, even sell it. Understanding how and why this happens is the first step in protecting yourself and acting fast is critical.
In most cases, vehicles are held due to unpaid fees. If your car was towed or impounded, you’ll likely owe towing charges, daily storage fees, and administrative costs. If the vehicle isn't claimed in time, often within 10 to 30 days depending on your state. The yard may begin a legal process to sell it at auction. Similarly, if you take your car to a mechanic for repairs and fail to pay the bill, they can place what's known as a mechanic’s lien on the vehicle. That gives them the legal right to hold it and eventually sell it if the debt isn't resolved.
These facilities are usually required to follow a specific legal process before selling a vehicle. This often includes sending you a written notice, giving you a chance to claim the car, and then publishing a public notice if they intend to sell it. But this doesn’t always happen as cleanly as the law intends. If your address is outdated on your vehicle registration, for example, you may never receive the required notice. And fees can add up fast, sometimes reaching hundreds or even thousands of dollars in just days, making it harder and harder for you to retrieve the vehicle. Even worse, some people don’t realize their car has been moved at all. Maybe it was parked legally and towed without cause, or it broke down and was picked up before they could arrange a tow themselves. In other cases, people agree to a repair estimate, only to find the bill has ballooned out of control, and the shop refuses to release the vehicle without payment. Sadly, not every tow yard or mechanic plays fair, and many vehicle owners feel overwhelmed trying to figure out what to do.
If you’re in this situation, the most important thing is not to wait. Time is against you, and every day your car sits in that yard, the cost increases. and so does the risk of losing it forever. Get in touch with the yard, ask for an itemized list of charges, and request any documentation they’ve filed regarding the vehicle. If something feels off, you may have legal options to dispute the charges or stop the sale.
But you don’t have to face this alone. OUTPOUND specializes in helping people just like you! Drivers who are stuck, confused, or being taken advantage of. Whether your car was wrongfully towed, held over inflated fees, or is on the verge of being sold, OUTPOUND can help you navigate the system, understand your rights, and fight to get your vehicle back before it’s too late. Reach out now! Our agents are standing by to help you OUTPOUND your vehicle!
