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How towed-car auctions work in Washington
A towed car in Washington can be sold at auction about three weeks after an impound if nobody redeems it. Each step has a deadline set by state law.
General information, not legal advice. The papers you got from the police, the tow company, the storage lot or a state agency control your dates. Agencies change phone numbers and steps, so check the agency's own page too.
The timeline
After 120 hours, the tow company reports an unclaimed car to the Department of Licensing, gets owner information within 72 hours, and then mails a notice of custody and sale. The auction can happen once 15 days have passed since that notice was mailed, after a newspaper notice published 3 to 10 days before the sale.
Sources: RCW 46.55.100; RCW 46.55.110(3); RCW 46.55.130
Ways the sale can stop
The owner can redeem the car any time before the auction starts by paying the towing and storage fees. A timely hearing request also stops the sale until the court decides; it must reach the court more than 5 days before the auction.
Sources: RCW 46.55.120(2)(b), (4); WAC 308-61-168
Money after the sale
Leftover money after the lien goes to the Department of Licensing, and the registered owner can claim it within one year. After a private impound the company can seek at most $500 more from the registered owner ($1,000 for heavy vehicles), and nothing if the impound was invalid.
Sources: RCW 46.55.130(2)(h); RCW 46.55.140(1)
See the deadlines for your tow
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