Last Update: July 27, 2026

How To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Michigan

Claiming an abandoned vehicle in Michigan is a legal process governed by the Michigan Vehicle Code Chapter 257 and administered by the Michigan Department of State and local law enforcement. The process involves statutory notification requirements, waiting periods, public auction procedures, title documentation, and financial settlement obligations.

What Qualifies as an Abandoned Vehicle in Michigan

Michigan defines an abandoned vehicle under MCL 257.252a according to the following criteria:

• A vehicle remaining on private property without the consent of the property owner.
• A vehicle remaining on public property for a period of not less than 48 hours.
• A vehicle on a state trunk line highway with a valid registration plate affixed that has remained for a period of not less than 18 hours.
• A vehicle on a state trunk line highway without a valid registration plate affixed.
• A non-late-model vehicle in the custody of a vehicle salvage pool or broker site for a period of not less than 60 days without the consent of the salvage pool operator or broker, provided the vehicle cannot be disposed of under applicable law, and an insurance company has not acquired ownership.

Additionally, Michigan law recognizes a separate category of registered and unregistered abandoned scrap vehicles defined under MCL 257.252b. These are vehicles that are 7 or more years old, apparently inoperable, or extensively damaged with repair costs exceeding fair market value. The determination of whether a vehicle qualifies as abandoned is made by the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the location where the vehicle was found. Possession of the vehicle alone does not automatically convey ownership; the statutory process must be followed.

Process To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Michigan

Understanding the Abandoned Vehicle Process

Michigan's abandoned vehicle process operates through law enforcement custody, owner notification through the Secretary of State, a waiting period for redemption, and subsequent public auction or disposition. Only motor vehicles abandoned on public property or on private property without consent may be claimed by third parties through this process. An individual cannot acquire ownership of an abandoned vehicle solely through possession; statutory compliance and a public auction are required.

Report the Unclaimed Vehicle

When a vehicle meets the abandoned vehicle criteria, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction may affix a written notice to the vehicle containing the date and time of notice, the police agency name and officer badge number, the date and time the vehicle may be taken into custody if not removed, and the vehicle identification number and year, make, and model if available.

If a private property owner wishes to have an abandoned vehicle removed from their property, they may contact a local towing agency to arrange its removal. The towing agency must then notify the police agency having jurisdiction that the vehicle is being removed. The police agency has 24 hours from receipt of notice to determine whether the vehicle has been reported stolen and to enter it into the law enforcement information network as abandoned.

For registered abandoned scrap vehicles, the procedures are established under MCL 257.252b(6), which requires the police agency or towing service to determine if the vehicle has been reported stolen, take 2 photographs, and make a detailed report substantiating the vehicle as a registered abandoned scrap vehicle.

Verify Title Records and Owner Information

Within 24 hours after taking an abandoned vehicle into custody, the police agency must enter the vehicle into the law enforcement information network and notify the Secretary of State. The notification must include the vehicle identification number, the address or location from which the vehicle was taken, the date of custody, the name and address of the police agency, and the name and business address of the custodian of the vehicle.

The Secretary of State then checks its records for the last titled owner and any secured parties and verifies whether the vehicle matches any stolen vehicle reports. For vehicles that cannot be determined to have an owner through records examination, special procedures apply under MCL 257.252a(20).

Send Required Notices

Within 7 days after the vehicle is entered into the law enforcement information network, the Secretary of State shall send notice by first-class mail or personal service to the last titled owner and secured party. The notice must include the following information:

• Vehicle is considered abandoned
• Vehicle identification number
• Address or approximate location from which the vehicle was taken into custody
• Date of custody
• Name and address of the police agency
• Name and business address of the custodian
• Procedure to redeem the vehicle
• Procedure to contest the abandonment or the reasonableness of towing and storage fees
• Form petition that may be filed with the court to request a hearing
• Warning that failure to redeem or request a hearing within 20 days may result in the sale of the vehicle and termination of all owner and secured party rights

The Secretary of State simultaneously enters vehicle information into a public website used to locate abandoned vehicles. The data remains on the website for 1 year or until the vehicle is disposed of, whichever occurs first.

Allow the Statutory Waiting Period

The owner has 20 days from the date of the Secretary of State's notice to either redeem the vehicle or request a hearing to contest the abandonment designation or the reasonableness of the fees. If no hearing is requested, the owner may redeem the vehicle by paying a $40 administrative fee and accrued towing and storage charges to the custodian.

If the owner or secured party requests a hearing within 20 days, the matter shall be resolved in district court under the procedures outlined in MCL 257.252f, which governs the filing of petitions, court duties, hearing procedures, and judicial determinations. An owner requesting a hearing may obtain immediate release of the vehicle by posting a bond with the court in the amount of $40 plus accrued towing and storage fees or by paying the $40 fee and accrued charges directly to the court.

If the owner does not redeem the vehicle or request a hearing within 10 days, the secured party may redeem the vehicle by paying the $40 fee and accrued towing and storage charges to the custodian.

Conduct The Public Auction Or Authorized Disposition

Following the 20-day waiting period (or after resolution of any hearing), the police agency shall offer the abandoned vehicle for public sale not less than 20 days after the hearing disposition or, if no hearing was requested, not less than 20 days after the notice date.

The public sale shall be conducted under the control of the police agency, though the police agency may designate the custodian or a third party to conduct the auction. The sale shall be open to the public and consist of either open auction bidding or sealed bids. Sealed bids require a receipt from the police agency or the agency's designee.

The sale shall be held not less than 5 days after public notice of the sale has been published. Public notice must be published at least once in a newspaper having general circulation within the county where the vehicle was abandoned. The notice must describe the vehicle, state the time, date, and location of the sale, and provide the vehicle identification number. Alternatively, a notice stating that an abandoned vehicle auction is being held, listing the date, time, and location, and providing a website address where a complete vehicle description appears for not less than 5 consecutive days before the sale date, satisfies the publication requirement.

If no bidders appear at the public auction, the police agency or custodian may elect to award the vehicle to the custodian to satisfy towing and storage charges, obtain title to the vehicle for the police agency or local unit of government, or hold another public sale.

For unregistered abandoned scrap vehicles, the process differs slightly. The police agency or designee must complete a release form within 24 hours after taking custody and release the vehicle to a towing service, used vehicle parts dealer, or vehicle scrap metal processor, who shall then transmit the release form to the Secretary of State and apply for a certificate of scrapping, as specified in MCL 257.252b(3).

Complete The Bill Of Sale And Title Documents

Upon conducting a public sale of an abandoned vehicle, the police agency or designee shall provide a bill of sale to the successful purchaser. If the police agency does not provide a bill of sale within 25 days of the notice date, the custodian or designee may request an original TR-52L Abandoned Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale from the Michigan Department of State. The request must be submitted not less than 25 days after the notice date to the Abandoned Vehicle Unit at the address provided below.

Apply For Title

The successful purchaser of an abandoned vehicle sold at public auction uses the bill of sale to apply for a certificate of title with the Michigan Department of State. The application process follows standard vehicle title registration procedures outlined in MCL 257.217. If the vehicle has been designated as a distressed vehicle, a salvage certificate of title must be applied for within 15 days after obtaining the vehicle.

Title transfer and registration must be completed in accordance with Michigan Vehicle Code procedures. The applicant shall submit the following documentation to the Department of State:

• Appropriate title application form furnished by the Department of State
• Bill of sale
• Proof of valid Michigan no-fault insurance (for registration purposes)
• Vehicle identification number
• Description of the vehicle, including model year and make
• Any other information the Secretary of State reasonably requires

Bonded Title Or Surety Bond Requirements

If the Department of State is not satisfied with the vehicle's title, particularly if the vehicle has a value exceeding $2,500 or is younger than 10 years old, the Secretary of State may require the applicant to file a properly executed surety bond. The TR-121 Vehicle Uniform Surety Bond form must be executed by the applicant and a company authorized to conduct surety business in Michigan.

The bond must be in an amount equal to twice the value of the vehicle as determined by the Secretary of State and is conditioned to indemnify the Secretary of State, any prior owner, and any subsequent purchaser or lessee against expense, loss, or damage, including reasonable attorney fees, resulting from issuance of the certificate of title or any defect in the applicant's right, title, or interest in the vehicle. The bond is issued for a 3-year term. An interested party may bring an action to recover on the bond for any damages sustained due to a breach of its conditions.

Special Rules For Salvage, Rebuilt, Or Inoperable Vehicles

A person acquiring an abandoned vehicle designated as a distressed vehicle (typically an inoperable vehicle) must apply for a salvage certificate of title within 15 days after obtaining the vehicle. This requirement applies in addition to standard title application procedures. The salvage certificate designation is required before the vehicle may be re-titled or transferred to another owner.

For registered abandoned scrap vehicles, once a certificate of scrapping has been issued under MCL 257.252b(5), a certificate of title for the vehicle shall not be issued again.

Maintain Records

Law enforcement agencies, custodians of abandoned vehicles, and successful auction purchasers shall retain records relating to the abandoned vehicle for periods specified by law. Police agencies must retain 2 photographs of registered abandoned scrap vehicles for not less than 2 years, as required by MCL 257.252b(5). The Secretary of State shall retain records relating to an abandoned scrap vehicle for at least 2 years.

Additionally, records should include copies of all notices mailed or published, proof of publication and mailing, copies of the vehicle's title records, if available, police reports, inspection documentation, and all auction-related documentation, including the bill of sale. These records support the chain of custody and are essential in the event of any subsequent dispute regarding ownership or the disposition process.

Michigan Storage Fees And Financial Considerations

Storage Fee Rules

Towing and storage fees begin accruing once the vehicle is taken into custody by the towing agency. These fees are the financial responsibility of the vehicle owner unless redeemed or overturned in a court hearing.

When a vehicle is released for disposition under the public auction process, the amount of storage fees that may be collected is limited to whichever of the following is the least amount: the daily storage rate established by contract or agreement with the law enforcement agency or unit of government authorizing the towing; the daily storage rate charged by the storage facility; or $1,000. This storage fee cap does not apply to commercial vehicles or vehicles owned or leased by entities other than individuals.

The custodian of an abandoned vehicle shall allow the owner to inspect the vehicle and retrieve personal property during regular business hours, without charge, on the first visit. After the first inspection visit, the custodian may charge the owner a fee not to exceed $25 for each subsequent visit. The custodian may charge the secured party a fee not to exceed $75 for inspections or the retrieval of personal property, or the actual cost if higher, provided an itemized invoice is supplied.

Towing And Recovery Charges

A towing service or vehicle custodian may recover towing fees from the last titled owner of an abandoned vehicle. Towing charges are determined by contract or agreement with the law enforcement agency authorizing removal and storage. If the proceeds from the public sale do not fully satisfy accrued towing and storage charges, the towing company may collect the balance of unpaid fees from the last titled owner, subject to the fee cap established in MCL 257.252i.

Sale Proceeds And Excess Funds

Money received from the public sale of an abandoned vehicle shall be applied in the following order of priority as specified in MCL 257.252g(2):

If the last titled owner cannot be located after reasonable attempts to mail the remainder, the excess becomes the property of the local unit of government that towed the vehicle.

Contact Information

Michigan Department of State
430 W. Allegan St., Richard H. Austin Building, Lansing, MI 48918
Phone: (888) 767-6424
Official Website: Michigan Department of State