My car got towed - I'm out of the country for 4 months (Orange: sale)

[camsam]

Hey all,

[Excuse my english]
I really need your help...
Last year I bought a car for my stay in Orange County (I lived there for 6 months). I let my car to one of my friend when I left in september 2020 before going back to France. I'm planning on coming back in September this year. However, my friend just told me that he can't find the car anymore and think that It has been towed. I'm waiting for more info (when, what tow company etc...), but how can I have it back?
Plus, I had huge problem with the registration last year and can't have it back online (the company who sold it to me messed up). Do they need more proofs than my ID and an authorization signed for my friend to pick it up and to get it back?

Thanks in advance...

A really stressed french

[FrankNSense]

The first thing your friend should do is contact the police. If the car was towed they should have a record of it and give him all of the information.

If it has been more than 30 days the towing company has the right to sell the vehicle, and once that happens you are very likely out of options.

If I read your question right, it sounds like the car may not be registered in your name. If that is the case then you would need to work that out with the dealer and/or DMV depending on the issue before you could do anything.

If it hasn't been 30 days and the vehicle is in your name your friend should be able to get it, but they will need your authorization. You would need to provide a notarized authorization along with your ID to your friend. Your friend would then need to pay all towing and impound fees. I also believe that if the car has expired registration or insurance, both of those must be current before your friend can take it.

As bad as this sounds, these fees could amount to several hundred or a few thousand dollars and may end up being more than the car is worth. Where it may cost you less money to just let it go.

Hope this helps..Good Luck

[camsam]

Originally Posted by FrankNSense

The first thing your friend should do is contact the police. If the car was towed they should have a record of it and give him all of the information.

If it has been more than 30 days the towing company has the right to sell the vehicle, and once that happens you are very likely out of options.

If I read your question right, it sounds like the car may not be registered in your name. If that is the case then you would need to work that out with the dealer and/or DMV depending on the issue before you could do anything.

If it hasn't been 30 days and the vehicle is in your name your friend should be able to get it, but they will need your authorization. You would need to provide a notarized authorization along with your ID to your friend. Your friend would then need to pay all towing and impound fees. I also believe that if the car has expired registration or insurance, both of those must be current before your friend can take it.

As bad as this sounds, these fees could amount to several hundred or a few thousand dollars and may end up being more than the car is worth. Where it may cost you less money to just let it go.

Hope this helps..Good Luck

Hi FrankNSense,

Thank you so much for your reply!!
You right, the better thing to do is probably to let the car go... But can they sue me or something like that if I do this? Or they're just gonna keep the car and sell it? I'm afraid that later, I won't be able to buy another car because of this, or worst, they sue me...

[FrankNSense]

Technically if after the sale if there is still a balance they could sue the registered owner. However, it doesn't mean they will, so it is really impossible to say either way.

But this should not "blacklist" you from buying another car if you are paying cash. If you need to buy it on credit having an unpaid judgment would likely have a negative effect on your credit rating.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Where was it parked? Could your friend have sold your car?

[Dub D]

Frank gave you a lot of good info.

Most tow yards are big a holes and will require in person signatures and such.