Ernesto ran a towing yard in East LA. On a hot July morning, he muttered about how to file a lien sale in California while staring at a rusty Civic. Someone dumped the car in his lot four months ago and never came back. The tags were expired. The owner’s phone? Disconnected. The car? It’s just a dust-covered junker with flat tires and a broken window.
He said, “Time to file a lien sale.”
But here’s the kicker: Ernesto didn’t know how to file a lien sale in California.
He figured he could haul it to auction and wrap things up fast.
Wrong move.
The California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) demands specific forms. The law wanted deadlines. The courts? They needed proof.
Tow yards, mechanics, landlords, and even private sellers run into this every day. Most don’t realize how messy the lien sale process is until they’re knee-deep in red tape.
Cars eat up space. They pile up fees. Code enforcement starts sniffing around.
Mess up the paperwork?
You’re stuck.
Let’s cut through the clutter. Here’s how to file a lien sale in California — clear, quick, and without the legal jargon.
DMV Hates Shortcuts. The Lien Sale Clock Is Ticking.
The lien sale process in California isn’t forgiving. Miss a step? You’re back to square one.
Here’s how the clock ticks:
You Found the Car. Now What?
Ask yourself:
- Is the car worth over $500?
- Is it abandoned?
- Do you have legal custody (tow yard, storage lien, property)?
If yes, you might qualify. But hold up—this isn’t a repossession.
Lien Sale vs. Repossession California: What’s the Difference?
- Repossession: You’re the legal owner reclaiming a car (like a lender).
- Lien sale: You’re owed money (like storage fees), and you’re taking the car to recover costs.
Mix those up, and the DMV will eat you alive.
The DMV’s Not Playing: Here’s What They Want
What Forms Are Needed to File a Lien Sale in California?
You’ll need:
- REG 168A: Lien Sale Application
- REG 119: Verification of Vehicle (for some cases)
- Lien Satisfied/Title forms: To complete the transfer
Take photos. Print neatly. Triple-check VINs. One typo = denied.
Then, send your packet to the Lien Sale Unit at DMV in Sacramento.
The Countdown Begins: How Long Does a Lien Sale Take in California?
You wait. DMV processes your app. If approved, they will send you:
- Lien Sale Authorization
- Dates for Notice of Intent to Sell
- List of Interested Parties (registered owners, lienholders)
Start the legal notice process immediately. You’re on the clock now.
No Notice? No Sale. Just Stress.
Here’s where most people screw up: the notice part.
You MUST notify:
- Registered owner
- Legal owner/lienholder
- DMV
- Anyone on the “interested parties” list
Use certified mail. Don’t guess addresses. Use DMV records.
Private Party Nightmares: How to Do a Lien Sale on a Vehicle Not Registered to You in California?
This is common.
You buy a car. No title. No seller. No hope?
Not quite.
You can file a private party lien sale, but you:
- Must show proof you tried to contact the last owner
- Must have a valid bill of sale or work invoice
- Must wait longer for notices
Get it wrong, and the DMV slams the brakes.
Tow Yard Blues: Lien Sale Requirements for Towing Companies in California
Towing companies have strict rules:
- Keep logs of all tows
- Document dates and storage fees
- Show attempts to contact owners within 72 hours
Fail to follow this? You lose your lien rights. Period.
File Lien Sale DMV California: Tips to Avoid Rejection
- Use black ink. No staples.
- Don’t abbreviate addresses.
- Include photos of the vehicle (exterior + VIN)
- Include receipts (towing, storage, notices)
Keep a copy of everything. Scanned and backed up.
A Step-by-Step Process to File Lien Sale in California
Here’s your roadmap:
- Assess if eligible
- Abandoned? Over $500?
- Request Lien Authorization
- REG 168A form to DMV
- Wait for the green light
- DMV sends approval + party list
- Notify everyone
- Certified mail + documented
- Wait out the notice period
- Usually 10–30 days
- Hold a lien sale (public or auction)
- Must be publicly accessible
- Complete paperwork for title transfer
- DMV forms + bill of sale
- Apply for a new title
- Here’s the kicker:
How to Get a Title After Lien Sale in California?
Once the sale ends, you must:
- Fill out title forms
- Attach lien sale docs
- Go to the DMV or mail the packet
If the buyer is you? Congrats, you can now register it.
Did someone else buy it? Give them the paperwork — they’ll handle registration.
The Plot Twist: What If the Owner Shows Up?
Owners can claim the car before the sale ends — if they:
- Pay owed fees
- Show proof of ownership
If they do, the sale is off. You return the car. You’re still owed money.
This rarely happens. But when it does, have your records ready.
Private Party Lien Sale California: Know Before You Tow
If you’re not a tow yard or business, you can still file a lien sale.
Here’s what you must prove:
- The vehicle has been in your possession
- You’ve contacted the last registered owner
- You have a valid reason (unpaid repairs, storage fees, etc.)
Expect extra scrutiny. Keep it clean. Keep it honest.
Rust Never Sleeps. Lien Laws Don’t Either.
California law defines abandoned vehicles strictly:
- Left on private property >72 hours
- No contact from the owner
- No valid registration
Follow the legal definition — or risk legal blowback.
Report abandoned vehicles to police before starting a lien sale. It protects your liability.
Paper Cuts and Parking Lots: Why the DMV Hates You (Kinda)
The DMV doesn’t hate you. It hates sloppy paperwork.
Their system isn’t fast. Or kind. Or helpful.
But if you stay organized, you win.
The Final Word? Don’t Let a Rusty Car Own You
Ernesto finally filed everything right. Six weeks later, he got the green light.
He sold the Civic. It barely covered storage costs. But he smiled.
He beat the system.
He owned the process.
Why Guess When You Can Be Sure? SMDP Makes It Simple
If you’re wondering how to file a lien sale in California, especially in Santa Monica or Los Angeles, don’t gamble with your notice.
Santa Monica Daily Press (SMDP) is:
✅ Adjudicated and approved for legal notices
✅ Fast, deadline-focused, and court-compliant
✅ Trusted by tow yards, landlords, and attorneys
We handle the details — formatting, publishing, and proof of publication — so you don’t have to sweat it.
Ready to file a lien sale that won’t come back to haunt you?
Contact Santa Monica Daily Press today.
Get it right. Get it legal. Get it done.
