It's a Pain Getting a Title for an Abandoned Car in Illinois, Hoosiers Can Get It Faster

The fear of trafficking stolen or converted vehicles made the Illinois government proceed with maximum caution. For example, they won't give you a title for a vehicle just because you find one abandoned on your property, nor the side of the road. In Indiana, on the other hand, they are less reluctant to do that, and give the new owner full responsibility if something goes wrong.

Put the "Land of Lincoln" on your plates

Some cities in this state had big problems with car thefts and criminal activity, and it seems that the fear of such things is too big even nowadays, when most, if not all, vehicles are registered and have a unique VIN. This state doesn't even allow a private individual to have an unregistered vehicle on their property for more than seven days. If the car is offered for sale, it must go within 30 days, or the officials will start the procedures of removing that vehicle.

But it's not all that bad for Illinois. The state agrees with lien holders and "antique vehicles, "which are all cars 25 years or older. Still, if they don't work or are unregistered, they cannot be kept. There are a few exceptions, such as if the vehicle is kept in an enclosed structure. But you can avoid that if you are getting a bonded title.

If you find a vehicle on your property, you should act quickly and, somehow, that vehicle must stay in an enclosed structure, or you'll lose it. To apply for a bonded title, you must obtain the vehicle's current wholesale value from an authorized source. That is important since you'll have to purchase an Illinois title bond worth one time and a half of the vehicle's value. But if there is a lienholder, you must obtain a lien release before that, or you won't see a title in the "Land of Lincoln."

If you don't want to pay for a bonded title, you can always apply for a surety bond, and your rate will be set by a surety bond company, which might drop to 1% or 2%, depending on your credit score. Then, after three years, if there are no rightful claims on the vehicle, you can exchange that bonded title for a standard certificate title.

Hoosiers can relax on their abandoned cars

Indiana is world-famous for the Indianapolis Speedway, a temple of speed that recently became used by car manufacturers to test their autonomous driving systems. It has a chance to be a great EV carmaker state, saving those incredible vast farmlands that cover the Indiana state. Here, at the "Crossroads of America," the Hoosiers can get their title for an abandoned vehicle from the court. For that, you have to fill the form 205 (R10 / 11-18) like they would buy a vehicle without knowing the seller, or if there is none.

The purchasers must swear that they couldn't contact the vehicle's or relic's owner. For that, they should ask the DMV to track original owners down using the VIN or the license plates. If all the attempts fail, they can ask for a new title.

Beware of the estimated value, since there is a price cut under and above $3,500, so take an evaluation for that car. Also, if the vehicle's VIN is altered or defaced, you have to ask for a new one issued by the local government. Thus, many stolen cars were re-established as roadworthy vehicles. and they even made special forms for claiming an abandoned vehicle.