[GWN7]

Laws can vary from location to location (check with a lawyer in your area) but they generally work like this. Tow company is owed for the tow and storage fees. Owner is nowhere to be found. Tow company sends a registered letter to their last know address advising the owner that there is a outstanding bill on the car. Some places all that is required is the tow company lists the vehicles in a legal notice in the local paper. The owner has until auction day to make the tow company whole or the auction is held and the vehicle now becomes property of the tow company and the money raised from the sale of the vehicle goes to satisfy the tow companies bill. The tow company then gets to request a new title for the vehicle in their name which they transfer to you as the buyer at the auction. Sometimes the tow company is the only buyer at the auction and then they sell the vehicle to you at your agreed price.