[asphaltgambler]

Also - I will tell you from much experience that impound lots, the people that run them and the people that work there are the absolute most unscrupulous bunch that ever walked the earth. There is no business or group lower.

Why? Because there is 'zero' liability from statements, paperwork they have regarding mileage or condition. They have everything to gain by lying, purposefully misrepresenting the mileage or anything else that they could maximize profit by.

There is a reason the car is there, trust me. It is likely a combination of things that are wrong with it that come close to or exceed the value.

I would bet the farm that they have the key but know the engine or trans have a serious issue and it's an easier sell to avoid the reveal if the potential buyer tried to start / run it.

There is currently an investigation into a local impound yard that does not offer exact change from its' towing service, impound fees - but does not accept any form of payment other than cash.

The scam is they contract out to local shopping centers, apartment complexes, bars, etc. to effectively 'police' illegal parking. The tow truck driver's are paid a % of what they recover. So the driver's sit and wait at high traffic parking areas they are responsible for - wait until someone pulls in w/o the proper ID, exits the vehicle and sometimes even before they hit the sidewalk - the driver rushes in, out goes the wheel lift and away they go - to the impound lot.

There is a ($ charge) ceiling and I think it is now @$150 or $175 in Virginia just for the tow, not including lot fees and anything other fee they can dig up. Frequently the impound lots are less than 10-12 miles away.