What is an abandoned vehicle?
A vehicle is considered abandoned if it has been in the same public location for at least three consecutive days. Most often, it will be damaged or missing critical components, such as the engine, wheels, tires or plates.
Abandoned Vehicle on Private Property
Abandoned Vehicle on Public Property
Abandoned Vehicle at a Repair Facility
Abandoned Mobile Home
Abandoned Vehicle on Private Property
This procedure is for vehicles abandoned on private property in New Jersey. By law, all such vehicles must be put up for public sale/auction. However if a sale cannot be completed through an auction, the property owner may apply for a title in their name only. This procedure is governed by N.J.S.A. 39:4-56.6.
To obtain all the required forms:
All original paperwork and required fees (checks or money orders) must be submitted by mail to:
NJMVC
Special Titles - Foreign Title Unit
P.O. Box 017
Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0017
Abandoned Vehicle on Public Property
This procedure is for vehicles abandoned on New Jersey public property. By law, all such vehicles must either be offered for sale at public auction or junked. A junk title will only be issued if the vehicle is inoperable or cannot be put in safe operational condition except at a cost in excess of the value of the vehicle. This procedure is governed by N.J.S.A.39:10A-1 through 39:10-7.
To obtain all the required forms:
All original paperwork and required fees (checks or money orders) must be submitted by mail to:
NJMVC
Special Titles – Abandoned Title Unit
P.O. Box 017
Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0017
Abandoned Vehicle at a Repair Facility
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.).
If a vehicle has been left at your facility for more than 60 days without your consent, or for more than 60 days after you notified the owner that repairs have been completed, you may deem the vehicle to be abandoned.
To obtain all the required forms:
All original paperwork and required fees (checks or money orders) must be submitted by mail to:
NJMVC
Special Titles - Abandoned Title Unit
P.O. Box 017
Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0017
Abandoned Mobile Home
These instructions concern the disposition of any tangible goods, chattels, manufactured or mobile homes, or other
personal property left upon a premise by a tenant. These instructions are in accordance with P.L. 1999 c.340 and
supplement N.J.S.A 2A:18-73 and N.J.S.A. 39:10-1 et seq. Please note that the mobile home in question must be
abandoned in the State of New Jersey.
To obtain all the required forms:
All original paperwork must be submitted by mail to:
NJMVC
Special Titles - Abandoned Title Unit
P.O. Box 017
Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0017