I'm using first names, limited info. to protect privacy, but here's the story. I traded my '03MCS to the dealer in mid-January for a new '05. About a week later, they sold the '03 to Dana L.

Last week I got notice of a citation issued on federal land against the '03 for expired registration. I verified with the dealer that registration had been transfered with the resale. They sent a letter verifying this to the agency that issued the citation which should resolve this particular issue.

Then, Saturday, I got a registered letter saying that the car had been impounded by park police at the Presidio, and would be auctioned-off if nothing was done.

I'm concerned that the car may have been stolen, and that it may be auctioned before the bureaucracy discovers what happened to it, and without the new owner ever being notified. I don't have all the contact information for the new owner, just their name. I've suggested that the dealer contact them to let them know what's up, but I don't know if they will. I contacted the Impound Officer, but his attitude was, "I mailed the letter, that's all I have to do."

So Dana, if you're out there, send me a pm with your full name, so I know it's you, and I'll give you the impound contact information so you can get your car back.

 

Just goes to show you that our DMV system in this country needs much improvement, our DMV system in Virginia stinks, and no one talks to each other between them, the tax offices, and all the other record holding trolls in the system....sounds like a bad scene, and I hope it gets worked out soon. I especially hope none of this impacts you personally as far as records, tickets, etc, etc....good luck to all involved.

Dave.

 

Oh my! This is important. I'm bumping it!


Clover

 

I think that the citation for expired registration is worked out. I have to check with a very helpful federal employee before the 'trial' date to verify that the case has been dropped.

I've checked with the DMV. As I understand it (they weren't clear about this), my name appears on the title as original owner of record, along with the currently registered owner. It may be that we both are being sent these courtesy letters about the impound. Me, as original owner, just in case I still have a financial interest in the vehicle. I took the letter to the dealer. They made a copy and said that they'd contact the person who purchased it.

I'd hate to see my old '03 MCS put up at an impound auction. It was like a member of the family for two years!

What's hard to understand is...
Why was it ticketed for expired registration 3 mo.s after it was sold, when the dealer handles registration fees as part of the sale?
Why did the violation come to me?
Why (how) does a 2-year-old MCS with 15,000 mi. (when I traded it) end up abandoned on the Presidio in SF?

I've done what I can. I hope it finds its way back to a good home.

 

I can guess at one answer. The dealer issued temporary tags and ordered plates for the buyer. While the rules likely vary from state to state, temporary tags expire after about 60 days. If the new plates were not put on the car, then the officer who ticketed the car at the 90 day mark was looking at an expired temporary tag.

 

I thought of that, too ^^^, because of the timing of it. Hoping Dana's OK.

 

In California, the plates stay with the car. Each year a new sticker indicating the month and year of registration is placed on the rear plate.

The registration sticker was about to expire when I traded the car. The dealer should have paid registration when the car was sold, and attached temporary registration papers to the windsheld. The new owner should have gotten the new sicker for the plate in about 30 days.

You can order new or personalized plates if you want. I guess its possible that personalized plates were ordered, with their own registration sticker, and never put on the car. That might explain how the expired registration ticket came to me.

However, in both cases the new owner should have had the plate and/or sticker well before the car was impounded. Unless the car was stolen before the new registration or plate arrived, then abondoned when the current registration expired?

 

Whatever the reason, it seems clear that the new owner either did not get the new plate/sticker, or else s/he was un/able/willing to put it on.