If an abandoned motor vehicle has not been reclaimed as provided for in the preceding
sections, the county or its authorized agent shall sell the abandoned motor vehicle
at public auction. The purchaser of the motor vehicle shall take title to the motor
vehicle free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership of others, shall receive
a sales receipt from the sale, and shall be entitled to apply to and receive from
the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles a certificate of title and registration
card for the vehicle. The sales receipt from the sale shall be sufficient title only
for purposes of transferring the vehicle to a demolisher for demolition, wrecking
or dismantling, and, in such case, no further titling of the vehicle shall be necessary.
From the proceeds of the sale of an abandoned motor vehicle, the county or its authorized
agent shall reimburse the county for the expenses of the auction, the cost of towing,
preserving and storing the vehicle which resulted from placing the abandoned motor
vehicle in custody, and all notice and publication costs incurred pursuant to this
article. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale shall be held for the owner of
the abandoned motor vehicle or any person having security interests therein, as their
interests may appear, for sixty days, and then shall be deposited into the treasury
of the county. (10-3-74, § 4; 9-21-17.)
