Michigan Auto Lost & Found Database

Nationwide, abandoned vehicles pose an environmental, health and safety hazard. They also lower property values and have a negative impact on our quality of life. The task of identifying and removing junk cars diverts local, county and state government resources from more serious issues such as protecting the public and crime prevention.

Michigan is taking action to protect the public as well as the beauty and integrity of its communities. To help reduce the number of impounded and abandoned vehicles, Michigan passed the Abandoned Vehicle Law, effective Oct. 1, 2005. The law streamlines the procedures for identifying and processing impounded and abandoned vehicles, while protecting the rights of vehicle owners.

In accordance with the law, the Michigan Auto Lost & Found Web site provides vehicle owners, law enforcement and “custodians” (towing agencies, law enforcement agencies and municipal impound lots) with the tools needed to combat this problem.

Definition of an abandoned vehicle

The legal definition of “abandoned vehicle” has a slightly different meaning than what is generally understood. According to state statute, the term abandoned vehicles applies not only to the “junkers” that are dumped on the roadside, but vehicles on private or public property that have been towed away either by request of the property owner or because the vehicle was parked or left in violation of a law.

As defined by Michigan law [MCL 257.252a(2)], an abandoned vehicle is a vehicle that was left on:

Private property without the property owner's consent.


Public property (including county roads and city streets) for at least 48 hours.


A state road (e.g. M-99, U.S. 23, I-96) for at least 18 hours if a valid registration plate is on the vehicle.


A state road for any period of time if a valid registration plate is not on the vehicle.


Michigan law [MCL 257.252d] outlines circumstances under which a police agency may have a vehicle on private or public property removed to a place of safekeeping (usually an impound lot) at the expense of the vehicle’s owner. If the vehicle is not claimed immediately by the driver or owner before the vehicle is towed away or removed from the site, it is then deemed abandoned. A vehicle may be taken into custody if it is:

In such a condition that its continued operation on public roads would constitute an immediate hazard to the public.


Parked or idling on the highway so that it creates an immediate public hazard or obstruction of traffic.


Parked in a posted tow-away zone.


Believed to be stolen or having stolen parts.


Seized to preserve evidence of a crime, or if there is reasonable cause to believe that it was used in the commission of a crime.


A threat to public safety because its presence impedes rescue efforts during a fire, flood, storm, snow, natural or manmade disaster or other emergency.


Hampering the use of private property by the owner or person in charge of that property or is parked so that it impedes the movement of another vehicle.


Illegally stopped, idling or parked in a designated disability parking space.


Located in a clearly identified access aisle or access lane immediately adjacent to a disability parking space.


Interfering with the use of a ramp or a curb cut by people with disabilities.


If the vehicle’s owner or driver arrives on the scene before the vehicle is removed, the vehicle will be disconnected from the tow truck and the person may take possession of it. However, the owner or driver may have to pay a service fee. The tower will provide a receipt upon payment of the service fee. If the owner or driver does not immediately claim the vehicle, the police agency that authorizes its removal will check to determine if it has been reported stolen, and if not, report it as abandoned according to MCL 257.252a.