Hello all,
Does anyone know anything about abandoned cars, more specifically in GA? There is a car in a parking lot near my house and I think it has been abandoned since it’s not moved in months. Also, the manager of the store doesn’t know who it belongs to. How do I go about finding the owner? Is it illegal to go through it and look for a phone number? How long until the person doesn’t own it any longer, if that is possible? Will the DMV tell me if the registration is current? If I can locate the owner I would be happy to make them an offer. But if it has been abandoned then I’m guessing I have to go through the police or DMV?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you,
Danny

My guess is the police would be the ones you have to go through. Unless someone can find the owner. For all you know, it could have been stolen and abandoned.

Call the cops and let them handle it. Perhaps if no one claims it, then the state will sell it to you for a fee? Who knows, it may be worth a shot.

Post a pic of the car. I dont know about the USA but the only way that abandoned cars (ones that are towed, stored by towing company and not claimed) are usually held for 90 days and then the towing company puts a lien on the vehicle for fees owed and then sells off the car under the liens act. In the USA I would assume it would vary from state to state but would be somewhat similar. Our common laws are all based on the British legal system and they date back hundreds of years.
Your best bet is to talk to the owner of the property, have him get the car towed after contacting the police and then afterwords you can find out what company towed the car and offer to purchase it from them after the specified time under the law. You may end up paying hundreds or thousands for the car so make sure it is worth it. Do your homework and be prepared for a dead end. You might also consider writing down the vin number which is visible at the base of the drivers side windshield and running it through your local DMV to find the owner. You could then contact the owner to see if he might sell you the car for cheap just to take if off your hands.

Dont go through the car yourself unless you want to get charged with break and enter by the police.

peace!

I bet you can get it a lot cheaper if you go through the owner that obviously doesn't want the car than if you go through the police/impound yard. I believe the DMV will tell if you a car is stolen if you give them VIN, its so you can make sure a car your about to purchase isn't a stolen car. But finding the owner is probably going to be a little harder.

It's my car, I just forgot where I parked it after that night of binge drinking. Send me the address so I can pick it up before someone steals it!

Call your local Dept. of Motor Vehicles and ask them what the legal method is of getting an abandoned car, lots of ways to do it but if you don't do it right you might find yourself in the crowbar hotel for possessing stolen property or grand theft auto.

Probably the easiest way is to find a cop that will run the plate and contact the person to see if they want to pick it up or sell it to (you) cheaply.

Thanks for all the help. I'll call the DMV and the police dept. I'll let you all know how it turns out.
Thanks,
Danny

What kind of car is it?

LK

Yeah! What kind of car is it???

Sorry, forgot to mention that. Don't tell any of the other Georgia boys, but it's a '64 Impalla 4-door. It's in fair shape. Some rust, especially along the rockers, but it appears all original with p/s, p/b, auto, a/c, and I think it has all the trim.
However, I'm pretty sure that the IROC wheels aren't original...

I'm out of town but I'll start my detective work next week and let you know how it turns out.
Thanks,
Danny