Skip to main content
Abandoned vehicles - law enforcement

Abandoned vehicles - law enforcement

  • Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs and motorcycles. Vessel includes watercraft.
    • Not less than 20 days but not more than 30 days after a vehicle has been released under subsection (5), the towing agency or custodian shall notify the police agency to enter the vehicle as abandoned and the police agency shall enter the vehicle into LEIN as abandoned within 24 hours of receiving notice and follow the procedures set forth in section 252a if the impounded vehicle has not been redeemed.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Contact the MSP Help Desk at 517-241-0667 or the MDOS Record Sales Unit at 517-335-6198 for further assistance.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs and motorcycles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Visit the Michigan Department of State e-Services to request a duplicate or replacement TR-52L online.
    • If unable to obtain a duplicate or replacement TR-52L online, or if the entry no longer in appears in LEIN, contact the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234 or email a request to abandonedvehicles@michigan.gov.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs and motorcycles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Law enforcement should dispose of old TR-52’s per their agency policies and procedures.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Verify the vehicle information is accurate for the abandoned vehicle or vessel.
    • Verify the custodian is registered with the Secretary of State.
    • In some circumstances, a TR-52L may be delayed but if the vehicle is eligible for a TR-52L, the Bill of Sale will be generated for the law enforcement agency.
    • Contact the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234 or email an inquiry to abandonedvehicles@michigan.gov 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

     

    • Abandoned out-of-state vehicles or vessels must be entered into LEIN and disposed through the abandoned vehicle or vessel process outlined in MCL - Section 257.252a - Michigan Legislature, MCL - Section 324.80130f - Michigan Legislature, MCL - Section 324.81151 - Michigan Legislature, and 82161 2014 PA 549.
    • As a courtesy law enforcement may elect to send a notice of abandonment to the out-of-state or secured parties informing them that the vehicle or vessel has been abandoned in Michigan.
    • The abandoned vehicle or vessel laws require the Secretary of State to send notice of abandonment to owners and secured parties of record as kept by the Secretary of State for vehicles or vessels in Michigan only.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs and motorcycles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Enter the business telephone number of the custodian, including the area code, in LEIN.
    • The Secretary of State will initiate the abandoned vehicle notification process.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Contact the MSP Help Desk at 517-241-0667 for assistance.
    • Contact the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234 or email an inquiry to AbandonedVehicles@Michigan.gov for further assistance.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Verify the vehicle information is accurate for the abandoned vehicle or vessel.
    • Contact the MSP Help Desk at 517-241-0667 for further assistance.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Law enforcement is not required to complete or mail the Abandoned Vehicle/Vessel – Bill of Sale form (TR-52L) to the vehicle or vessel owner.
    • Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252a - Michigan Legislature and MCL - Section 257.252b - Michigan Legislature for details.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Before removing the vehicle from private property, the towing agency shall provide notice by telephone, or otherwise, to a police agency having jurisdiction over the vehicle that the vehicle is being removed.
    • Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252a - Michigan Legislature for details

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs and motorcycles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Verify that the VIN (vehicle identification number), year, and make is accurate for the abandoned vehicle or vessel.
    • Verify that the custodian phone number is registered with the Secretary of State.
    • In some circumstances, a TR-52L may be delayed. If the vehicle is eligible for a TR-52L, the bill of sale will be generated for the law enforcement agency.
    • Contact the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234 or email an inquiry to abandonedvehicles@michigan.gov.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs and motorcycles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • Verify that the VIN (vehicle identification number), year, and make is accurate for the abandoned vehicle or vessel.
    • Contact the MSP Help Desk at 517-241-0667 for further assistance.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs and motorcycles. Vessel includes watercraft.

     

    • A vehicle or vessel that is not redeemed by the owner and is left in a tow yard owned by a private enterprise can be considered as "abandoned on private property."
    • Enter the vehicle or vessel into LEIN and the Secretary of State will initiate the abandoned vehicle notification process.
    • Visit Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252a - Michigan Legislature for details.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • The law requires that unregistered, abandoned and/or scrap vehicles or vessels be disposed of within 24 hours after taking the vehicle or vessel into custody, the completion of the Certificate of Scrapping form (TR-208) is required.
    • Visit Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252b - Michigan Legislature for details.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs and motorcycles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

    • If an owner has not redeemed a vehicle or vessel that was removed as a result of a crash or was stolen or seized to preserve evidence of a crime within 20 days after it has been released by law enforcement it is considered abandoned.
    • The custodian must report the vehicle or vessel's abandoned status between 20 and 30 days from the date released by law enforcement.
    • All other vehicles or vessels impounded under MCL 257.252d or 80130h, 81151, and 82161 2014 PA 549 are considered abandoned if not redeemed by the owner within seven days.
    • Vehicles or vessels removed under MCL 257.252a or 80130f, 81151, and 82161 2014 PA 549 are required to be entered into LEIN within 24 hours.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.  

    • The law enforcement agency is responsible for disposing of the vehicle or vessel, including the public notice, auction, and sale.
    • Law enforcement may designate the custodian of the vehicle or vessel or a third party to conduct the auction.
    • The requirements for disposing of abandoned vehicles or vessels through a public sale are found in MCL 257.252g or 80130k, 81151, and 82161 2014 PA 549.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.