Legal Question in Business Law in Virginia

I bought a car that wound up being stolen

In July 2004 I bought a truck for $7,400 cashiers check (checked title w/MD MVA, ran a CAR FAX, has title notarized) that wound up being stolen and only showed up when I went to title it in VA. Local police came to DMV and said to try work out the problem with seller. Seller told police stolen vehicle report was as a result of teenage daughter leaving with car, and not a real theft. The NCIC report was in fact filed by Maryland Insurance Fund (MIF) for a claim paid 4 years earlier, and didn't appear in MD MVA records, or the Car Fax report. I contacted MIF and the investigator asked me to hold on to the car, and not turn it over to VA police, they (MIF) would come and pick it up. Their detective called me a year later and sending me pictures of sellers, I identified them and while police were getting arrest warrants, the thief/sellers left MD and moved to PA overnight. Now, 4 years later, the truck sits on my property. I gave the title seller/thief gave me to a salvage yard and want them to take the vehicle. Is there any justice for me in this situation, I'm out the money and have stored the car for 4 years. Is there any way for me to get a salvage title, or payment for storage. Other options? Please advise.


Asked on 3/27/08, 9:15 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: I bought a car that wound up being stolen

No, unfortuantely, I believe you're without a remedy, which shows what can happen when a purchaser(thru no fault of his own) happens to buy property that turns out to have been stolen, and, as a consequence, the title becomes fatally and irretrievably impaired.

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Answered on 3/27/08, 9:29 am


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