Queens Couple Loses Car After Incorrect DMV Records

Repossession of recently purchased BMW exposes flaws in New York's vehicle title system.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Heavily blurred, sweeping streaks of color in shades of blue, grey, and red, conveying the frantic motion and chaos of a car being repossessed.A repossession nightmare exposes vulnerabilities in New York's vehicle title and lien system.NYC Today

A Queens couple, Jennifer and William Malave, purchased a used BMW from a licensed dealer in Suffolk County, New York, in December. Weeks later, they watched as the car was towed from their driveway, having been repossessed. The Malaves say the DMV records showed no liens on the vehicle, but the auto financing company Santander Consumer USA had a lien that was allegedly unlawfully removed. The DMV is investigating the incident, which the Malaves say highlights the need for better safeguards in New York's vehicle title system.

Why it matters

This case exposes vulnerabilities in New York's vehicle title and registration system, which many families rely on to ensure car purchases are legitimate. The Malaves' experience shows how errors or fraud in the state's records can lead to devastating consequences for consumers, raising questions about the DMV's oversight and the need for stronger protections.

The details

The Malaves paid $21,937 in full to a licensed dealer for the used BMW in December. Weeks later, they watched as the car was repossessed from their driveway. They later learned that Santander Consumer USA, the auto financing company, had a lien on the vehicle that was allegedly unlawfully removed from the DMV's records. The Malaves' vehicle title and DMV report both showed no liens, but Santander says the lien was never properly cleared, leading to the illegal repossession.

  • In December 2025, the Malaves purchased the used BMW from a licensed dealer in Suffolk County.
  • Weeks later, the car was repossessed from the Malaves' driveway.
  • The Malaves tracked the car to a nearby lot and learned it had been repossessed due to an active lien.

The players

Jennifer and William Malave

A Queens couple who purchased a used BMW in December 2025, only to have it repossessed weeks later due to an alleged error in the vehicle's title records.

Santander Consumer USA

The auto financing company that had a lien on the vehicle purchased by the Malaves, which the company says was unlawfully removed from the DMV's records.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

The state agency responsible for maintaining vehicle title and registration records, which the Malaves say failed to accurately reflect the lien on the car they purchased.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We were very confused and upset.”

— Jennifer Malave

“I called the police department. It's the first person that I called, 911.”

— William Malave

“They confirmed that they did have a loan, not through me, not through my wife, through a third party.”

— William Malave

What’s next

The DMV is investigating the incident and says they take allegations of fraud very seriously. Santander Consumer USA has released the lien and given up their legal ownership rights, likely absorbing the loss.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger safeguards and oversight in New York's vehicle title and registration system to protect consumers from the devastating consequences of errors or fraud in state records. It underscores the importance of thoroughly vetting car purchases, even from licensed dealers, to uncover potential issues.