Lost Title Question

Here is Washington you need a special inspection (3 month wait) to perform a VIN check. The VIN is checked against the national data base of stolen cars. If it passes that then you are allowed to register it ONLY! After 3 years if the owner of record has not reported it stolen the state will issue you a title. The alternative to this in Washington is for the property owner to declare the vehicle abandoned and have it impounded by a licensed tow company. The tow company will then submit a letter to the legal owner notifying them of the impound. At that point the legal owner can come get it out of impound and pay the fees or ignore it. If it is ignored the tow company can after 30 days sell it at public auction and issue the buyer a bill of sale. With the bill of sale the new owner can obtain a title. Either way it can be a royal pain but it can be done.