5.600 Lien Sale Procedure for Vehicles Valued At $4,000 or Less (CC §3072)

Step 1
Within 15 days of the date the lien arose (date the registered owner was billed or when the public agency impounded the vehicle), the lienholder must submit a Registration Information Request for Lien Sale (INF 1126) and the nonrefundable processing fee to DMV to obtain a printout of the vehicle record using the VIN.

Step 2
Immediately upon receipt of the vehicle record information, and at least 31 days but not more that 41 days prior to the sale date, the lienholder must send:

• A Notice of Pending Lien Sale for Vehicle Valued $4,000 or Less (REG 668) and a return envelope, pre-addressed to the department, by certified mail with return receipt requested or by United States Postal Service Certificate of Mailing to:
  • The registered owner
  • The legal owner
  • Any known interested parties
• A Notice of Pending Lien Sale for Vehicle Valued $4,000 or Less (REG 668) by certified mail to the department.

Step 3
At least 10 days prior to and including the day of the sale, the lienholder must post a Notice of Pending Lien Sale for Vehicle Valued at $4,000 or Less (REG 668) in a conspicuous place on the premises of the business office of the lienholder. If the sale is scheduled to occur at a place other than the premises or the business office of the lienholder, a notice must also be posted at the site of the forthcoming sale. When posting the REG 668 fold the document so the registered owner, legal owner and interested party addresses are not visible.

Step 4
The lienholder must have the vehicle available for inspection at a location easily accessible to the public for at least one hour before the sale. The vehicle must also be at the place of sale at the time and date specified on the Notice of Pending Lien Sale for Vehicles Valued at $4,000 or Less (REG 668).

Step 5
The lienholder must conduct the sale in a businesslike fashion. Sealed bids are not allowed.

Step 6
There is no redemption period. The buyer may take immediate possession of the vehicle.

Step 7
After the sale the lienholder must:

• Remove and destroy the license plates.
• Submit a completed Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) to the department within five days of the sale.
• Complete a Certification of Lien Sale for Vehicles Valued $4,000 or Less (REG 168A). If no one places a qualifying bid on the vehicle, the lienholder must complete the REG 168A as both the seller and the buyer.

Step 8
Give to the buyer:

• REG 168A
• Printout of DMV record
• Certified mailing receipts (attached to the 168A)
• If the lien sale was opposed one of the following:
  • A certified copy of a court judgment entered in favor of the lienholder.
  • A release of interest from the opposer.
  • DMV authorization to continue with the lien sale after unsuccessful service.

Step 9
Within 15 days of the sale the lienholder must submit any excess fees with a copy of the Certification of Lien Sale for Vehicles Valued $4,000 or Less (REG 168A) to:

DMV
Lien Sales Unit
PO Box 932317
Sacramento, CA 94232-3170

Step 10
Within 90 days of acquisition, the dismantler must submit to the department:

• REG 42
• REG 168A
• Printout of DMV record
• Certified mailing receipts (attached to the 168A)
• If the lien sale was opposed one of the following:
  • A certified copy of a court judgment entered in favor of the lien—
    holder.
  • A release of interest from the opposer.
  • DMV authorization to continue with the lien sale after unsuccessful
    service.