Where Is the Impound in GTA 5?
Impound Garages — also known as Vehicle Impounds or Impound Lots — are underground parking garages located near police stations in GTA 5 and GTA Online. They act as storage areas for vehicles seized by the police or abandoned by the player. Knowing where the impound is located is essential if you ever lose track of your car, especially when it’s one you’ve customized or purchased online.
Also Read: How to Buy an Agency in GTA 5 Online
Impound in GTA 5
In the single-player campaign, vehicles that you abandon (but don’t destroy) often end up at the Mission Row Police Station impound lot. This is located on the corner of Vespucci Boulevard and Sinner Street in Los Santos.
You’ll need to pay $250 to retrieve your vehicle, or you can break in and steal it back — though this will trigger a wanted level.
Why do vehicles get impounded in GTA 5?
Leaving a modified or purchased car behind.
Triggering missions that swap your current vehicle.
Having the police commandeer your car if it’s left near a station.
Walking too far away causes the car to despawn.
Loading into an autosave that resets your position to a safehouse.
Parking in illegal or obstructive places, like intersections.
Notably, if you abandon a personal vehicle belonging to one of the protagonists, it won’t be impounded — it will instead respawn at their home.
Impound in GTA Online
In GTA Online, things work a little differently. Vehicles only get impounded if you are killed by police while near your personal vehicle. When this happens, your car is taken to the LSPD Auto Impound, located at the Davis Police Station on the corner of Innocence Boulevard and Roy Lowenstein Boulevard.
You can pay $250 to release the vehicle, or steal it back and risk a two-star wanted level. Alternatively, CEOs can call their assistant to retrieve the car for $1,000, delivering it back anywhere on the map.
Exceptions in GTA Online
Certain heavy vehicles like the TM-02 Khanjali, RCV, Chernobog, or Thruster are not impounded. Instead, if destroyed, they must be replaced through insurance at a cost.
Why the Impound Matters
The impound system is a safety net that prevents players from permanently losing vehicles they’ve invested in. Instead of being deleted from the game, abandoned or seized cars are stored until retrieved. While it’s only a small fee to get them back, knowing the exact locations saves you from frustration — especially in GTA Online, where personal vehicles are often expensive investments.
Also Read: How to Create a Crew in GTA 5 (2025)
FAQs About the Impound in GTA 5
Q: Can you permanently lose cars in GTA 5?
A: Yes, but only under specific conditions. If a third vehicle is impounded when the lot is already full, the oldest one will be lost permanently.
Q: What happens if you don’t pick up your impounded car?
A: The vehicle stays in the impound until you retrieve it or it gets replaced when another is impounded.
Q: Can you steal back your car from the impound?
A: Yes, you can climb the fence and take it without paying the $250 fee, but this will give you a wanted level.
Q: Is the impound location the same in GTA 5 and GTA Online?
A: No. In single-player, it’s at the Mission Row Police Station. In Online, it’s at the LSPD Auto Impound near the Davis Police Station.
Q: Do protagonist-owned cars get impounded in GTA 5 story mode?
A: No, Franklin, Michael, and Trevor’s default personal vehicles respawn at their homes rather than being impounded.
Q: What happens if my car is destroyed in GTA Online?
A: Destroyed cars don’t go to the impound. Instead, you must contact Mors Mutual Insurance to claim and repair the vehicle.
Final Words
The impound system in GTA 5 and GTA Online ensures players don’t lose their prized cars for good. In single-player, you’ll find your lost vehicles at the Mission Row Police Station, while in Online, they’ll be stored at the LSPD Auto Impound in Davis. Whether you pay the small retrieval fee or take the risky route of stealing them back, understanding how the system works will save you both time and money in Los Santos.
“ GameBoost - The All-In-One Gaming Services Platform with a mission to truly change the life of every day gamers. Whether you're looking for Currencies, Items, High-Quality Accounts or Boosting, we've got you covered! ”
