How can u find out if a car is stolen or there is a lien on it.

Question

This story sounds to good to be true. So here goes. A friend of mine has been having this SUV parked in her driveway for over 2 years. She has tried to Register it in the state of Texas. The last plates (registration) is from either N or S Carolina (can not remember). Texas DMV told her she needed a title. Carolina told her she needs proof of ownership. She explained to Carolina DMV that the car was last registered by a Company which is no longer in business....Now, you are probably wondering how she got this car. Well, her ex-boyfriend left her the car and told her she can have it. The boyfriend explained that the car title is in some paperwork that he left at her house. She has yet to find the title. He also told her if she did not want the vehicle she can park it on the street and leave the keys in it. The ex-boyfriend is now driving a Mercedes and living in DC. My friend is now thinking to do exactly that leave it on the streets. The SUV runs great, a 2005 with very little mileage, and a damage front light, fully loaded with TV screens, Navagation system etc. She has been driving it just to the corner store.

Answer 1

The story may be true but you still have a vehicle with no title.

I think the best thing to do is to report it to the police. If she has tried to register the vehicle in two states and it didn't come up stolen, that a good thing but it must belong to someone or some company (even it is defunct).

Answer 2

There's too much I cannot remember on this one.  If she can't find the title, by all means see if a junk dealer or some else will buy it for parts.  It may have been stolen too, then what will your friend do when they find that out.