Nationwide, abandoned vehicles pose an environmental, health and safety hazard. They also lower property values and have a negative impact on our quality of life. The task of identifying and removing junk cars diverts local, county and state government resources from more serious issues such as protecting the public and crime prevention.

Michigan is taking action to protect the public as well as the beauty and integrity of its communities. To help reduce the number of abandoned vehicles, Michigan passed the Abandoned Vehicle Law, effective Oct. 1, 2005. The law streamlines the procedures for identifying and processing abandoned vehicles, while protecting the rights of vehicle owners.

In accordance with the law, the Michigan Auto Lost & Found Web site provides vehicle owners, law enforcement and "custodians" (towing agencies, law enforcement agencies and municipal impound lots) with the tools needed to combat this problem.

VEHICLE OWNERS

Search for an abandoned vehicle

Obtain information about:

- The definition of an abandoned vehicle

- Claiming an abandoned vehicle

- Contesting the status of an abandoned vehicle

- The penalties for abandoning a vehicle

CUSTODIANS

Report disposition of a vehicle

Obtain a form to set up an Electronic Funds Transfer Account

Obtain a custodian consent form

Mailing the $25 fee

Request for TR-52L Abandoned Vehicle Bill of Sale

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Obtain a replacement TR-52L form

Obtain a Certificate of Scrapping  (TR-208)

FAQs

Vehicles