Sold my car, but the title is still in my name...?

Question

I gave my car (1983 Honda Accord) and title a year ago, to my relative and in turn he repaired it and sold it to a lady...in D.C. and even help the lady put on the new tags, ....now I got a letter from the Bladensburg Police Department (MD)saying that, VIN is listed me still as the owner of the car and it has been impounded because the VIN/tags/registration didn't match during a traffic stop.

I would have to come down the the police department, with title and proper ID and $50 for the release & can pickup the car with the release and pay towing & storage fees ($590) at Henry's Towing Company...

Its been two weeks and no one try to claim the car...I told the police I no long own the vehicle. Without a title to the car, I'm stuck.

1. What can the towing company do to me?
2. What can I do to correct this problem, the car isn't woth it, but I also don't want those towing & storage fee come back at me.
3. Someone said I could get a duplicated title & take the car back is this fraud?

Answer 1

All the towing company does is sell the car for the fees or sells the metal as scrap. They wont do anything to you.

When you sell a car, ALWAYS, get it released from your name right away. You fill out a bill of sale and a DMV form stating you no longer own the vehicle. As long as that form is in the mail, nothing can happen to you. You are released from the vehicle.
Example: Someone buys your car and the next day they get in an accident (DUI) and hurts the other party. You can be liable if your name is still on the vehicle. Or lets say someone buys your car and commits a robbery with your car. When they run the plates and it is in you name they come and get you. You can sit it jail a while while things get worked out.
So NEVER sell a car without them signing a bill of sale and the DMV form immediately. It is a tremendous risk to you.

Right now I would just say to tell the Tow company you no longer own this car. Go to DMV and file the paper. Then forget it as it is not your car. Everyday the impound is accumulating. It can ge a fortune by the time you go to get it.

Good Luck

Answer 2

What a mess! The towing guy would just sell the car and make his money back, but the tickets are a problem. The numbers not matching, could get you in a lot of trouble. I would ask for a court date and pray your relative kept receipts so you can prove you sold the car.

Answer 3

you say you gave the car to them. Did you at any time give them a bill of sale?

Technically all you have to do is tell them that you gave the car to whoever....tell them you signed the title over then it should be fixed.

If they tagged it..then the title should have transferred....unless they tagged it under your name without your knowledge. You can find this out simply by going to tthe courthouse and have them run the tags.

If they did this...and even if it's your relative...deny ownership...and if neccessary..press charges against the relative for fraud...I know this may sound extreme...but if they didn't care enough about you to not do this to you,...you owe them nothing and you deserve to be absolved of this.

Take care

Answer 4

Last question first: While it *may* be unethical, it isn't fraud. Considering that whoever bought it failed to change the title.

I would get it out of impound (with a duplicate title) and sell it again.
If you don't like the idea, get it out, and wait a short while for whoever SHOULD be getting it out, if they do not show up, sell it for the fine amount, plus some for your hassle,
(one thing to do, is check with the particular police dept. and see who was in it when it was found to be illegal, and finf out if they still want it...
One last thought:
WHY was the "owner" of the car, not declaring themselves legal?
Getting ready to rob a bank...???

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Was wondering the same question

Answer 7

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