Is it illegal to remove parts from a vehicle before repossession in Wi?

Question

First off I am not looking for what anyone believes to be the 'moral' answer, I am looking for legitimate legal advice. I have finally succumbed to the economy, lost my job almost a year ago, and no longer have a savings to live on. Unfortunately my vehicles will be repossessed.
The original motor in this vehicle blew and I spent $6000 on a new motor. This is a performance vehicle that I also spent a lot of money upgrading with performance parts from the ground up. However, I no longer have many of the stock parts, and I do not want to lose my expensive motor, or performance parts once this vehicle is repossessed.
I am completely aware that I will be responsible for any remaining debt once the vehicle is sold at auction. Is it illegal for me to remove my performance parts without replacing them with stock parts? Can I legally take the motor out of the vehicle and let it be repossessed with no engine?

Thank you for your time?

Answer 1

I will answer this as a former auto adjuster.



Whenever a vehicle is totaled, many times people put in a lot of upgrades that insurance will not pay for, (or the value). A good example maybe rims, stereo equiptment etc.



So, we allow them to remove them, (but) on the condition that they replace with the original equipment that came with the vehicle.



Unknown if the $6,000 motor was more expensive than the original motor you had, prior to it blowing. So, if you could find another used motor (like) what this vehicle had in the 1st place, (salvage yards) then you might be able to sell the newer motor for cash.



The problem with repo's, is that when they sell at auction, they usually sell for 1/2 the value, so you then get stuck with the balance till paid.

Answer 2

The car is owned by the lien holder. If you came back to the car and I had taken parts from it you would call the Police and report a theft. What makes you think they will not do this?

The sensible thing would have been to sell the car before now and pay off the loan.

All that happens now us you have a load of fees to pay. You will still owe what is left or get less back if the sale covers the loan.

You have destroyed your credit record as well.

While it might have been easy to keep the car and not pay. It was not the smart thing to do.

Start to be a bit smart.

Answer 3

If the vehicle has been drivable and on the road, removing the engine is obvious theft. This isn't your car anymore. It isn't a complete vehicle without a motor- it's an auto body. You wouldn't pay for a shell if you were looking for a car to drive- neither will they accept this. I'm sorry, but it sounds like an actual crime you would be arrested for.

At least now you aren't in jail - you have your freedom to rebuild your life. Start there. Leave the car alone.

Answer 4

If you are going to remain liable for the remaining debt once the vehicle is sold by the bank, why would you want to make it worth considerably less? You should want to have it in pristine condition so when it is resold you owe little or nothing on it. Whatever money you put into the vehicle was your choice at the time and part of the joys of car ownership. Removing a $6K engine, if illegal, would be a felony.

Answer 5

You will be sued by the lien holder for the cost of the "damage" you have done to their car.



What will really happen, is that the bank will take the motorless car, sell it at auction and then sue you for the difference between the value of the car and the owed amount on the loan and some miscellaneous fee and what they got for it at auction.



In the end, you will pay for that motor again.



Leave the car alone and take your lumps.

Answer 6

Since you do not own the vehicle it would be theft to remove things from it.

Answer 7

Yes.

Answer 8

yes......I know a guy took his new water heater from the house....just for spite right before foreclosure