Questionso i got my car towed, but the things is that the car never passed smog, and I never completed the owner transfer paperwork(which I lost). So the tow yard folks won't let me pick the car up or sell it? what do I do. I live in California.
AnswerOUCH, this is going to hurt the previous owner of the vehicle as they are still listed as the "legal owner" of the vehicle...
I would be taking to them as well as the tow company. I know that California DMV does have "release of liability forms" which they require to be filed when the vehicle is sold, but in this case it sounds as if this will not help much...
As to what to do, well I can not really say the "practical answer is" as the fact you did not file the "required state paperwork" to take ownership of the vehicle really does mean that you do not own the vehicle...
But remember one thing, when it is sold at auction, the tow company will take all information they have and can get on the "ownership of the vehicle" and attempt collections on the fees owed... And yes some collection agencies who are used can manage to find out you had bought it and then try to collect from you also...
Contact the California DMV and see what they suggest as they might point you in the right direction.
