Vehicle registration

Repossess or seize a vehicle

When dealing with abandoned vehicles, debts and liens, you may be able to repossess or seize a vehicle.​

When can I repossess or seize a vehicle?

​You may be allowed to repossess or seize a vehicle for a variety of reasons when you're dealing with:

  • abandoned vehicles on highways,​

  • the failure of a borrower to meet the terms of a loan,

  • unpaid storage fees,

  • vehicles abandoned by former tenants, and

  • unpaid vehicle repairs.

Statutory requirements

Repossessions and seizures are transfers by operation of law and are allowed under various statutes, government programs, or by court order. For each act, ​the repossessor must follow the statutory requirements as necessary.

  • Transportation Act: Allows a municipality, regional district or local police to remove abandoned vehicles from highways, public property and Crown Land.

  • Personal Property Security Act: Allows a lender to repossess a vehicle if the borrower does not meet the terms of the loan.

  • Rent Distress Act: Allows a landlord to seize and sell a tenant's vehicle to satisfy unpaid rent on a commercial property.

  • Repairer's Lien Act: Allows a garage or repairer to seize and sell a customer's vehicle for unpaid repairs.

  • Residential Tenancy Act: Allows a landlord to seize and sell vehicles abandoned by former tenants.

  • Warehouse Lien Act: Allows storage facility operators to seize and sell a customer's vehicle to cover unpaid storage fees.

Speak to your Autoplan Broker

For more information about these Acts, the related checklists and forms on how to seize a vehicle, please contact your Autoplan broker.

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