Selling Abandoned Vehicles in Arizona

You can define an abandoned vehicle as an automobile, truck, trailer, and semi-trailer that has been left behind on someone else’s property with no permission to do so. In Arizona, a vehicle is considered abandoned if left unattended for 48 hours on a public roadway or any length of time on private property without permission.

Most commonly, these vehicles have been discarded because they were stolen, lost, repossessed, or simply left behind at a mechanic’s shop or impound yard. The first step in legally gaining ownership of an abandoned vehicle is determining if it falls within the state’s definition of abandoned.

We assist Arizona property owners, landlords, and business owners with navigating the legal process for selling rightfully obtained abandoned vehicles. If you’re looking to sell a junk car that’s been abandoned on your property that you’ve obtained ownership of, we’ll buy it and remove it today!

The easiest way to remove an abandoned vehicle on your property in Arizona without claiming ownership is to contact a licensed towing company authorized by local law enforcement or the Arizona Department of Transportation. Licensed towing companies can legally tow the vehicle off your property without requiring you to pursue title ownership.

However, if you want to get paid for the vehicle rather than just removing it, you must follow a specified legal procedure.

How Do I Sell an Abandoned Car on My Property in Arizona?

To sell an abandoned vehicle on your property in Arizona, you must comply with state law. An unclaimed car in Arizona is an unlicensed motor vehicle that has been parked on a private lot without permission of the owner for 10 days or longer. To sell an unclaimed vehicle in Arizona you must provide evidence of the vehicle’s presence by taking pictures, documenting dates and specifying the location.

You must then complete the MVD Form 46-4402 provided by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) and submit it to MVD. Once the MVD has determined that the vehicle is not stolen, they will contact the registered owner and other lien-holders, giving them a 30-day period to reclaim their vehicle. If nobody claims the unclaimed vehicle, MVD will approve the vehicle’s transfer to you and we will make a cash offer for the vehicle and do all the necessary paperwork.

Who’s Willing to Buy an Abandoned Car in Arizona?

There are some different potential buyers for abandoned vehicles after you legally acquire them. The fastest and easiest options are cash for cars companies, such as Sell Us Your Car, who provide fast, free, no-obligation cash offers and handle all the paperwork. Scrap yards or auto recyclers will pay based on weight but will generally take vehicles of any condition. Pick-a-part yards will purchase vehicles for parts, sometimes at prices that exceed those of scrap yards.

Private buyers may provide you with the highest amount; however, the process of finding and dealing with private buyers will likely take the most time and effort. Car dealerships are generally not interested in purchasing abandoned vehicles or those that do not run. Therefore, if you are looking for the easiest way to sell an abandoned vehicle, Sell Us Your Car is the best option for you as an Arizona property owner.

In Arizona, What Documents Are Required to Sell an Abandoned Car?

The documents you will need to sell an abandoned vehicle will depend on your legal status. Once you have completed the Arizona MVD process and have been approved to transfer ownership, you will need to provide the following:

• MVD-issued Transfer of Ownership documentation (or other MVD authorization);
• Government-issued identification;
• Any title documents issued as part of the transfer process; and
• Any required title transfer or registration forms and fees.

If your name is on the certificate of title, you will need the title assigned in your name. When you are an authorized agent such as a towing company or a storage facility, you will need additional documentation such as a towing order, storage agreement, or correspondence with the MVD. Having accurate and clean documentation will assist you with legally transferring ownership.

How to Get a Title for an Abandoned Vehicle

In order to obtain the title, follow the MVD abandoned vehicle procedure. Complete MVD Form 46-4402 and provide as supporting documentation photographs of the vehicle, where it was abandoned and the date the vehicle was abandoned. The Motor Vehicle Division will check for stolen vehicle reports, will inspect the vehicle, and will notify the last registered owner along with any lienholders.

If the vehicle is not claimed within 30 days after the last registered owner is notified, then the MVD will issue a title to new owners through the completion of the MVD abandoned vehicle process. This process is available to property owners, renters and commercial businesses that have legal possession of the abandoned vehicle. If the vehicle cannot be claimed through the traditional process, owners may want to explore how to sell a car without a title.

What Is the Abandonment of a Vehicle in Arizona?

Arizona distinguishes between vehicles abandoned on public property versus those abandoned on private property and has time frames that must apply before the property owner can file a claim with the MVD for an unclaimed vehicle. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-4801, the statutory definition of abandonment covers:

• If a vehicle is on public property, the vehicle will be deemed abandoned after forty-eight (48) hours.
• If the vehicle is on private property, it must remain without the express consent of the property owner for at least ten (10) days before a property owner can file a claim with the MVD.
• If the vehicle was left on the property pursuant to a storage agreement, repair agreement or other lawful written permission, the vehicle will not be considered abandoned.

Selling an Abandoned Vehicle to a Cash for Cars Company

In Arizona, you generally cannot sell an unclaimed vehicle without a title. However, prior owners can obtain a new title through the MVD process for obtaining a title for an abandoned vehicle. Once an MVD title has been issued to a new owner and all necessary documentation has been received by the buyer, the abandoned vehicle may be transferred legally.

If you default on your legal obligations regarding the transaction, you will have liability for damages caused by the transaction. Once you have obtained a legal title of ownership, we will make an offer and collect documents needed to execute the transaction. If you have questions about whether this applies to your situation, see our page on how to sell no title cars in Arizona.

Can a Cash for Cars Company Purchase an Unclaimed Vehicle?

Yes, a cash for cars company can purchase an unclaimed vehicle; however, the cash for cars company can only purchase from a seller with legal authority to sell. Based upon Arizona law, unless a seller has valid documentation to prove ownership, a cash for cars company cannot purchase the vehicle.

If you have completed the MVD abandoned vehicle process and received a title, we will buy your vehicle the same way we would for any other type of vehicle. The same holds true for tow companies, repair companies and storage facilities that have proper authority to deal with abandoned vehicles. For vehicles that have sustained significant damage before being abandoned, you may also want to check our guide to salvaged cars in Arizona.