Abandoned Vehicle Law in Michigan

How long an impound has before a car is classified abandoned, and how to reclaim it before that happens.

This is general information about Michigan law, not legal advice. Timelines and fees can change — verify current details with the Michigan Department of State before making decisions.

The 7-Day Rule

Under MCL 257.252d, if a towed vehicle isn’t reclaimed within 7 days of being impounded, the towing company has to notify the police agency that authorized (or was informed of) the tow. That police agency then has 24 hours to enter the vehicle into LEIN — Michigan’s Law Enforcement Information Network — as abandoned.

What Happens After That

• Owner notification: The Secretary of State mails the registered owner notice within 7 days of the abandoned classification. That notice includes where the vehicle was towed from, the towing company’s name, its current location, and the steps to claim it.
• The claim window: The owner has 20 days from the date of that notice to claim the vehicle or request a hearing to dispute the impound.
• Secured party redemption: After 10 days, a lienholder (like a bank on a car loan) can redeem the vehicle even if the owner hasn’t.
• Auction: If nobody claims the vehicle within 20 days, it can go to public auction. Michigan law requires the auction to be publicly noticed at least 5 days in advance, in the county where the vehicle was towed.
• Release before LEIN entry: If a vehicle is released before it’s entered into LEIN, the towing company has to notify the authorizing police agency within 24 hours.

Fees You May See

A $40 abandoned vehicle fee can apply once a vehicle is officially classified as abandoned, on top of the towing company’s normal storage rate per day. See our towing fees guide for how storage billing typically works.

If You Think Your Car Was Towed and You Weren’t Notified

Call the impound lot directly first — most delays are just paperwork timing, not a lost vehicle. If you can’t get an answer, the Michigan Department of State’s Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk (517-636-5234) can look up where a vehicle was reported towed from.

Related Reading

• Private Property Towing Rights in Michigan
• Your Rights After an Accident Tow
• Back to Michigan Towing Laws

Need Help Locating a Vehicle?

Call (269) 925-9573 — if we didn’t tow it, we can usually help point you toward who did.