What does it mean when a vehicle's status shows as seized?
2 Answers
Vehicle seizure status indicates that the motor vehicle is currently in an abnormal state. During the seizure period, registration, modification, transfer, mortgage release, deregistration, pledge, and pledge release are prohibited, while annual inspections, temporary license plates, and replacement of license certificates are not restricted. Below is detailed information about seized vehicles: Methods to check vehicle seizure status: Owners can log in to any national public security bureau's motor vehicle inquiry system, enter the license plate number, and if the status column shows "locked," the vehicle is seized or mortgaged and cannot be transferred or undergo other procedures. To inquire about the specific reason, the owner must bring relevant documents (ID card, motor vehicle registration certificate, driving license) to the license plate issuance location to check the reason. How to lift vehicle seizure: To lift the seizure, the involved party must provide the court with relevant legal documents for lifting the seizure, after which a judge will proceed to the appropriate location to process the request.
My buddy actually went through this—his car got impounded, meaning authorities like the court froze the vehicle, making it impossible to transfer ownership, sell, or sometimes even drive it. This usually happens because the owner has unpaid debts, lost a lawsuit, or faces other legal issues. His car was impounded for over half a year due to company debts, forcing him to take the bus daily. It not only disrupted his work but also cost him extra to consult lawyers about the release process. When buying a car, always check its status—you can use the Traffic Management 12123 app or visit the DMV to avoid unknowingly purchasing an impounded vehicle. If you find your car impounded, act fast: hire a lawyer to resolve the debt issue. Don’t wait until the car rusts or gets scrapped from sitting too long—that’ll only mean bigger losses.
