Car Towed After Sale but Before Transfer of Title

[seuadr]

My question involves towing laws for the State of: Michigan, specifically Genesee county.

I sold a vehicle to someone. the vehicle was towed and impounded before the buyer transfered the title into his name, but he has the signed and dated title. I know now that i should have accompinied him to the secretary of state's office to transfer it over, but i've honestly never had an issue in the past.

Long story short, the impound lot has filed a small claims court suit against me for the storeage and towing fees which comes to $1,488.00.

I called the company that filed the claim, and they basically told me that they know that i sold the vehicle, and they will not pursue a lawsuit against the buyer of the vehicle in question because they don't think he would pay. They informed me also that i had no legal recourse because i didn't file a form related to the abandoned vehicle being legally mine. I did recieve the form, called the number on the form, spoke to someone who told me that it was not a problem, as long as i didn't want the vehicle back, they would auction it off and that would be that.

So my question is what legal recourse do i have? the buyer is willing to testify in court or fill out whatever form needs to be filled out to take legal responsibility for the vehicle and fines associated with it, but we don't know where to start?

thanks in advance for your replies and your time to read my question.

[Mr. Knowitall]

It doesn't look particularly good. Here's a wild idea - tell your friend who bought the car to pay the towing and storage bill.

[seuadr]

thank you for the reply, mr. knowitall. I think i found a tidbit that will be very helpful in there.

(b) Maintain a record of the sale for not less than 18 months. As used in this subdivision, "record of the sale" means either a photocopy of the reassigned title or a form or document that includes the name, address, driver license number, and signature of the person to whom the vehicle is sold and the purchase price and date of sale of the vehicle.


this, can be arranged. i am pretty sure i can get a photocopy of the title, as well. hopefully, that will do. since a court date is already set, and the company has expressed no interest in refiling in the purchaser's name, i plan on appearing in court. I plan on bringing at least the document mentioned above, and/or a photocopy of the title, if i can get it. My friend also agreed to accompany me to court to testify that he did indeed buy the vehicle. hopefully these will be enough to satisfy the court.

I know to dress business formal and be very respectful in court, but any other advice? I imagine, since it is small claims court, the judge is accoustomed to dealing with ordinary people as opposed to lawyers. I consider myself intelligent, but lets face it, legal terms sound pretty impressive