Abandoned Vehicle on Your Property in North Carolina
In North Carolina you cannot use an indemnity (bonded) title for a vehicle that was abandoned on your property — the state's own instructions say so. Instead, the law sets out a day-by-day path: wait, tow, report to the DMV, and then a sale under the lien statute.
This page is part of our NC bonded title guide, inside the national vehicle title bonds silo.
The quote form above is for a different situation than an abandoned car: it's for when you own a vehicle and simply can't prove title to the DMV. If a car was left on your land, start with the steps further down this page instead. Not sure which one you are? See "Which situation are you in?" next. You can also check an estimate with the title bond calculator.
If you own the vehicle and can't prove title, Eric picks up the phone and walks you through the North Carolina steps as fast as he can.
Prefer to talk? Call 1-844-810-2663
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All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov). BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-listed surety carriers.
Which situation are you in?
Two very different things get searched the same way. Sort yourself first:
- A car was left on your property and you don't own it. This is the abandoned-vehicle path under G.S. 20-77. A bonded title is not an option here (more below). Follow the day counts.
- You bought or otherwise own a vehicle and just can't satisfy the DMV of title. That is the normal North Carolina indemnity-bond situation under G.S. 20-76. Start on the North Carolina title bond page or read how to get a bonded title.
Why a bonded title won't work for an abandoned vehicle
North Carolina's indemnity bond (its name for a bonded title) is ruled out here by the DMV's own form. Form MVR-92A states: "BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE: 1. On abandoned vehicles. (G.S. 20-77) 2. Mechanics and Storage Liens. (G.S. 44A) ... 5. When the vehicle is not domiciled in North Carolina."
So the question isn't how do I bond it — it's how do I clear it off my property the way the statute allows. That's the 20-77 process below.
The day counts (write them down)
The dates are the whole game here. Note the day the vehicle first appeared on your property, because the day counts below are measured in days the vehicle has sat on your property. North Carolina's special-cases page lays out the landowner steps:
If a vehicle is left on your property (landowner):
- Local law enforcement may be contacted to identify if the vehicle is reported stolen.
- After seven days, the property owner may contact a tow company to remove the vehicle.
- If the vehicle remains unclaimed for 30 days, it is considered abandoned and the property owner may begin the process to sell the vehicle.
- The State Highway Patrol Investigative Services Unit can be reached at 919-757-0753.
If you run a business that stores vehicles (storage operator): a different count applies. Under G.S. 20-77(d), an operator of a place of business for "garaging, repairing, parking or storing vehicles for the public" reports after a vehicle "remains unclaimed for 10 days." That 10-day count is for storage businesses, not for a homeowner.
Report the vehicle to the Division
G.S. 20-77(d) requires that "the landowners upon whose property a motor vehicle has been abandoned for more than 30 days, shall, within five days after the expiration of that period, report the vehicle as unclaimed to the Division." In other words, after the 30 days run, you have five days to report.
The statute is firm about skipping it: "Failure to make the report shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor."
We have not found the specific report form or filing method for a landowner on NCDMV's pages; confirm with NCDMV which form to use before the five days run.
The sale under Chapter 44A
Once the report is made, G.S. 20-77 provides that "Any vehicle which remains unclaimed after report is made to the Division may be sold by the operator or landowner in accordance with the provisions relating to the enforcement of liens ... of Article 1 of Chapter 44A." For mechanic and storage-lien sales, 20-77(c) references a 20-day notice to the DMV under G.S. 20-114. Whether a landowner's sale needs the same notice, confirm with NCDMV.
Whether a landowner can end up holding title to the vehicle themselves — rather than only selling it at the lien sale — we have not found on NCDMV's pages; confirm with NCDMV before you count on keeping the car.
Related North Carolina and abandoned-vehicle pages
- North Carolina lost / duplicate title — if the title exists but you can't find it.
- Abandoned vehicle title bonds (national) — how other states treat abandoned vehicles.
- Texas abandoned vehicle — how Texas handles an abandoned vehicle.
FAQ
Can I get a bonded title for an abandoned vehicle on my property in North Carolina?
No. Form MVR-92A states "BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE: 1. On abandoned vehicles. (G.S. 20-77)." The path for an abandoned vehicle is the G.S. 20-77 report followed by a sale under Chapter 44A, not a bond.
How long before I can tow an abandoned car off my property in NC?
North Carolina's special-cases page says that after seven days the property owner may contact a tow company to remove the vehicle, and if it remains unclaimed for 30 days it is considered abandoned and the owner may begin the process to sell it.
Do I have to report the vehicle to the DMV?
Yes. G.S. 20-77(d) says a landowner whose property a vehicle has been abandoned on for more than 30 days shall report it as unclaimed to the Division within five days after that period. "Failure to make the report shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor." A storage business reports after 10 days.
Can I keep the abandoned car or put the title in my name?
The statute says the vehicle may be sold by the landowner under Chapter 44A once reported. Whether a landowner can end up holding title rather than only selling at the lien sale we have not found on NCDMV's pages; confirm with NCDMV.
I bought a car and just don't have the title — is that "abandoned"?
No. That's the normal North Carolina indemnity-bond situation under G.S. 20-76, not the abandoned-vehicle path. Start on the North Carolina title bond page.
Sources
- North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-77 — unclaimed and abandoned vehicles; report to the Division; Chapter 44A sale.
- North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-76 — indemnity bond as a condition to issuance of title.
- NCDMV, Title & Registration — Special Cases — landowner steps and SHP contact.
- NCDMV, Form MVR-92A — instructions stating bonds are not acceptable on abandoned vehicles.