VSA 41 (07/25/2017)
Page 2
For the purposes of a mechanic's and/or storage lien, the following definitions apply:
Trade in Value -- The vehicle value as determined by the NADA OFFICIAL USED CAR GUIDE.
Public Place -- A premises or agency open to the public and owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a political subdivision thereof, or an agency of either,
that is open to the general public Virginia county, city, or any other Virginia political subdivision, where postings are permitted.
Independent Appraiser -- Someone who provides the MSL applicant with an estimated trade-in value appraisal and does not gain income or have personal or
business related interest in the ownership or sale of the vehicle.
DEFINITIONS
MECHANIC OR STORAGE LIEN APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
Note: If the MSL transcript indicates the vehicle owner is active duty military, a court order from a court in the MSL applicant's jurisdiction, regardless of the value
of the vehicle, must be submitted with application at the time of titling. A copy of original repair bill/invoice is required when applying for an MSL transcript.
NADA Trade-In Value Instructions
$12,500 or less
• Apply for MSL vehicle transcript at a Customer Service Center or via Extranet (for users with Use Agreement), and
• Notify all vehicle owner(s) and lienholder(s) by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested) of the intent to sell the
vehicle at least 10 days prior to the auction, and
◦ If the owner of the property is a nonresident or owner’s address is unknown (no record found), a notice is required to
be served by posting a copy in three of any of the following places in any combination: (i) post notice in one or more
public places in the county or city where the property is located; (ii) one or more websites operated by the
Commonwealth, the county or city where the property is located, or a political subdivision of either; or (iii) one or more
newspapers of general circulation in the county or city where the property is located, either in print or on their websites.
• MSL applicant must hold the vehicle in their possession for a minimum of 30 days, and
• Advertise the date, time and place of auction along with the terms of the auction in at least one public place at least 10 days prior
to the auction date, and
• Once sold, provide purchaser documentary evidence of compliance with all MSL requirements for titling, as listed on VSA 41.
Exception
$3,000 or less and ALL of
the following applies:
• NADA Trade-In Value is
$3,000 or less
• No record of owner or
lienholder exists on DMV's
record
• Vehicle is 6 years or older
than current model year
• Vehicle held in applicant's
custody for 30 or more
days
• Apply for MSL vehicle transcript at a Customer Service Center or via Extranet (for users with Use Agreement).
• Show proof of vehicle was in MSL applicant possession a minimum of 30 days
• Submit application and required documents for title or nonrepairable certificate or sell vehicle
IMPORTANT: If an owner or lienholder exists on the vehicle record, this exception does NOT apply. Owner and/or lienholder must
be notified and auction held according to MSL guidelines.
$12,501 To $25,000
• Apply for MSL vehicle transcript at a Customer Service Center or via Extranet (for users with Use Agreement).
• Notify all vehicle owner(s) and lienholder(s) by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested) of the intent to sell the
vehicle at least 10 days prior to the auction.
◦ If the owner of the property is a nonresident or owner’s address is unknown (no record found), a notice is required to
be served by posting a copy in three of any of the following places in any combination: (i) post notice in one or more
public places in the county or city where the property is located; (ii) one or more websites operated by the
Commonwealth, the county or city where the property is located, or a political subdivision of either; or (iii) one or more
newspapers of general circulation in the county or city where the property is located, either in print or on their websites.
• Hold the vehicle in MSL applicant possession a minimum of 30 days.
• Advertise the date, time and place of auction along with the terms of the auction in at least one public place at least 10 days prior
to the auction date.
• Petition the General District Court in the city or county where the vehicle is located to order the vehicle sale, and
• Be granted the petition by the court, and
• Hold auction through the sheriff of the jurisdiction once the sale is ordered, and
• Request sheriff complete an affidavit of compliance (3rd page of the VSA 41) acknowledging vehicle was auctioned/sold in
compliance with the court order.
Exceeds $25,000
• Apply for MSL vehicle transcript at a Customer Service Center or via Extranet (for users with Use Agreement).
• Notify all vehicle owner(s) and lienholder(s) by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested) of the intent to sell the
vehicle at least 10 days prior to the auction.
◦ If the owner of the property is a nonresident or owner’s address is unknown (no record found), a notice is required to
be served by posting a copy in three of any of the following places in any combination: (i) post notice in one or more
public places in the county or city where the property is located; (ii) one or more websites operated by the
Commonwealth, the county or city where the property is located, or a political subdivision of either; or (iii) one or more
newspapers of general circulation in the county or city where the property is located, either in print or on their websites.
• Hold the vehicle in MSL applicant possession a minimum of 30 days.
• Advertise the date, time and place of auction along with the terms of the auction in at least one public place at least 10 days prior
to the auction date.
• Petition the Circuit Court in the city or county where the vehicle is located, to order the sale of the vehicle, and be granted the
petition by the court and
• Hold auction through the sheriff of the jurisdiction once the sale is ordered, and
• Request the sheriff to complete an affidavit of compliance (3rd page of VSA 41) acknowledging the vehicle was auctioned/sold in
compliance with court order.