Abandoned VW - How do I make it mine?

"PilotMan" (Pilotman) 06/02/2015 at 21:01 • Filed to: None

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So a sad Passat was abandoned in our office complex more than a week ago. This is a private lot with many signs advertising private parking, vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense yadada. I did leave a notice a couple days ago saying the vehicle will be towed immediatly if not removed. Salt Lake is the crossroads of the West with many a drug car coming through but I’m guessing that it has been stolen. The steering column plastic covering has been broken, along with the shifter trim plate. I see an intercooler poking out of the fender well so it must be a GLS with the 1.8T. Sadly it is an auto. The clear coat is going and there is minor road rash here and there.

We called the occifers of the law who rode in on their shiney harleys to run the plates. The vehicle is not listed as stolen and the expiration has long expired even though a 2015 sticker is on the license plate.

Does someone with Autocheck want to check the VIN for me and see what the recent history is like? WVWMA63B0XE448895

I had an 01 Jetta Wolfsburg with an APR tune that I love. For this old Pass-it, I’m sure parts, such as turbos/top ends, and transmissions are pretty cheap nowadays. I’m going to make some calls to the Utah DMV tomorrow and see what the process is for transferring the title and claiming ownership. Has anyone in Oppo-land ever done this before? Do I need to have it sit on a licensed impound lot for some time?

An eBay key fob can be had for $20, I’m guessing the dealer will charge $50 to $100 to cut and program it.?

Is this old Passat worth the trouble? I currently have two perfectly good vehicles that require no work, I might as well find a project again. I have a soon to be 14-year-old that could use a beater, or I could probably sell it for $1,000 if it runs or is close to running.

There does appear to be an oil trail with a bit of a leak underneath, scary.

What sayest thee!

jkm7680 > PilotMan 06/02/2015 at 21:04

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It’s really a mixed bag, cars are usually abandoned for reasons though. If you really want to fix it up then go right ahead, but it probably won’t be cheap.

You’d probably have to get it towed and then go to a police auction to claim it, unless you manage to track down the registered owner.

jkm7680 > PilotMan 06/02/2015 at 21:08

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It’s a ‘99 GLS BTW.

PilotMan > jkm7680 06/02/2015 at 21:09

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If I can bypass the the police/impound auction them it might be worth it.

PilotMan > jkm7680 06/02/2015 at 21:10

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Thanks.

jkm7680 > PilotMan 06/02/2015 at 21:11

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Agreed!

1111111111111111111111 > PilotMan 06/02/2015 at 21:12

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I had one of those. Run don’t walk as fast as you can.

PilotMan > 1111111111111111111111 06/02/2015 at 21:13

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Window regulators? What else died?

1111111111111111111111 > PilotMan 06/02/2015 at 21:19

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Engine was first, that was a 7k affair. Then various sensors and relays. Then it started leaking. Was using Mobil 1 and a big tractor oil filter for expensive oil changes after the engine fix every 2500 miles. Finally transmission croaked. All of this by 80k miles. Also the turbo k8cked in at the worst times. Get your son something that won’t make him crazy. The answer is always miata right?

1111111111111111111111 > 1111111111111111111111 06/02/2015 at 21:20

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I sold it for a tow.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 1111111111111111111111 06/02/2015 at 21:48

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This is probably the worst vehicle failure I’ve seen posted on here. When my wife’s Sable gets home, I’m going to apologize and wash it.

1111111111111111111111 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/02/2015 at 21:56

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Worst part is they issued a recall for the engine 2 years after I had it towed and trashed the paperwork.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 1111111111111111111111 06/02/2015 at 21:59

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That was probably an expensive engine at the time, I take it?

5-Speed Gangsta > PilotMan 06/02/2015 at 21:59

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Autocheck hack: http://www.chilsonwilcox.com/autocheck.php?…

1111111111111111111111 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/02/2015 at 22:00

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If I recall correctly they would have covered the long block replacement. It was just over 7k.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 1111111111111111111111 06/02/2015 at 22:04

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Jesus

1111111111111111111111 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/02/2015 at 22:07

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I still have much hate for VAG, and the local dealer that stonewalled me for years for any help.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 1111111111111111111111 06/02/2015 at 22:10

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Time for a Toyota Tercel wagon!

1111111111111111111111 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/02/2015 at 22:19

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Nah. Got a kia, and a miata. I’m pretty set now.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 1111111111111111111111 06/02/2015 at 22:24

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NA?

1111111111111111111111 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/02/2015 at 22:29

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99 NB.

jariten1781 > PilotMan 06/02/2015 at 22:38

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Claiming abandoned property is different in every jurisdiction so calling around until you find the one dude in the county clerks office (or whatever) is all you can really do.

When I looked into it a few years ago here it went something like this: claim it was abandoned. Call DMV and tell them you want them to contact the last registered owner. Inform police owner is not reachable and you intend on claiming it as abandoned property. Police advertise that it’s about to be claimed if the owner doesn’t contact them (ad had to be in an actual physical newspaper). Police give you a letter stating its abandoned. Take that to the DMV and get a title. Hope it never got towed because if it did you’ll have to pay all the impound or storage fees to get it out. Have keys made, get it drivable. Pay for temp tags to get it inspected. Finally get it registered.

Needless to say, that was way too much bullshit for an abandoned Celica.

PilotMan > 5-Speed Gangsta 06/03/2015 at 11:04

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Awesome, thanks Man.

PilotMan > jariten1781 06/03/2015 at 11:30

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I called the DMV this morning.

There’s paperwork to fill out, a VIN check by the police, and then a 90 day wait for the DMV to contact the last registered owner. Those items are pretty much free.

I’m just going to move it into a single parking space and let it sit.

The DMV may require a bond if the value is more than $900, which I could probably argue against.

If there is no response from the last registered owner then transfer of title will take place. Then I’ll have to spend money on a key and safety/emissions. Or I’ll have it picked up for salvage if it looks like a basket case.