Instructions for Disposal of Motor Vehicles Abandoned at New Jersey Repair Facilities

Sep 19, 2026

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Instructions outline New Jersey requirements for handling motor vehicles abandoned at repair facilities, including options to remove and store the vehicle, sell it through a public or private sale, or obtain a junk title. The packet explains how a vehicle may be deemed abandoned after specified time periods and details required proof of ownership and lienholder information, repair documentation, and certified-mail notices. Additional steps cover unclaimed notice publication, required affidavits, photographs, VIN submission, signed statements, and payment to NJMVC.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

Instructions for Disposal of Motor Vehicles Abandoned at New Jersey Repair Facilities

Approval pathways (operable sale or junk certificate)

Proof of ownership / lienholder information and NMVTIS steps

Repair bill or estimate requirements

30-day notice requirements and unclaimed notice publication

5-day notice requirements

Possession reports and junk title request forms

Required photographs, VIN submission, and facility statements

Fees and submission directions

State of New Jersey Management Operation Services Abandon Unit 225 East State Street P.O. Box 017 Trenton, NJ 08666-0017 609-341-5771 Instructions for Disposal of Motor Vehicles Abandoned at New Jersey Repair Facilities New Jersey law provides that if a motor vehicle is abandoned at your repair facility, you may have it removed and stored, you may sell it at a public or private sale, or you may cause a junk title to be issued (N.J.S.A. 39:10A-9 et seq. ) . This packet of materials contains the documents you need to either: 1. apply for approval to sell an operable motor vehicle; or 2. apply for a Junk Certificate of Title. If a vehicle has been left at a facility for more than 60 days without your consent, or for more than 60 days after you notified the owner that repairs have been complete, you may deem the vehicle to be abandoned. If the vehicle is operable and you wish to sell it, or if you wish to obtain a Junk Certificate of Title, the following procedures must be followed: 1 Proof of ownership / lienholder information must be furnished by the New Jersey MVC, if applicable. A N J Lien Search Application (DO-22) with a $15 check or money order payable to “NJMVC”is required to be submitted. If there is no record in New Jersey, you (motor vehicle repair facility or authorized representative) must obtain either a title search through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), or a search that provides owner and lienholder information from each of the following states: New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Maryland. If a search using NMVTIS results in a record of ownership for the motor vehicle, you must contact the state in which the motor vehicle was last titled to verify the owner and any holder of a security interest in the motor vehicle. If a NMVTIS search does not result in a record of ownership of the motor vehicle, you must obtain searches that provides owner and lienholder information from each of the following states: New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Maryland. If MVC finds evidence that there is a more recent title record than the searches provided, you will be required to obtain a title/owner and lien search from the appropriate jurisdiction. Please see the list of approved NMVTIS data providers: Research Vehicle History | VehicleHistory STOP HERE: You must wait until all applicable search records are obtained. DO NOT CONTINUE until you receive responses. The current owner and lienholder information is required to complete Steps 3 and 4. 2 3 4 Repair Bill or Estimate from the Repair Facility is required. This must be on repair facility letterhead and must contain the year, make, and VIN of the vehicle. Abandoned Vehicle Repair Facility 30-Day Notice (OS/SS-324) must be sent by Certified Mail, Return Receipt requested. Send to the owner and lienholder (if applicable), notifying them of intent to sell/junk the vehicle. A copy of the notice and the original signed receipt(s) is required to be submitted. 3A **In the event the 30-Day notice is unclaimed by the addressee, or ifthe address of the person to whom the notice is to be given is unknown to the person giving the notice and cannot be ascertained from the records on file with the Division of Motor Vehicles, the notice shall be published twice in at least one New Jersey newspaper that circulates in the municipality in which the motor vehicle is left. ** A certified affidavit of newspaper publication is required to be submitted to this office. Abandoned Vehicle Repair Facility 5-Day Notice (OS/SS-323) must be sent by Certified Mail, Return Receipt requested. Send to the owner and lienholder (if applicable), notifying them of intent to sell/junk the vehicle. A copy of the notice and the original signed receipt(s) is required to be submitted. OS/SS-358 (R5/26) Visit [us at www.njmvc.gov](us at www.njmvc.gov) New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer Important N

FAQs

What options does New Jersey provide when a motor vehicle is abandoned at a repair facility?

The vehicle may be removed and stored, sold at a public or private sale, or a junk title may be issued.

When can a facility treat the vehicle as abandoned?

If the vehicle has been left for more than 60 days without the facility’s consent, or for more than 60 days after the owner is notified that repairs are complete.

What notices must be sent to the owner and lienholder, and how are they delivered?

A 30-day notice (OS/SS-324) and a 5-day notice (OS/SS-323) must be sent by Certified Mail with Return Receipt requested, with copies of the notice and original signed receipts submitted.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Tawan