Kinda weird that it would hard to track down the owner of a car. Technically you can get the own from the VIN, which may be the estate for a deceased person. Getting them to actually take action is a different matter obviously
The last known address of the previous owner was the flat I was currently occupying, LOL.
The flat was built and purchased in the 60s, abandoned in the 90s, and sold to us in 2010s. It was near a newly gentrifying, former industrial area. I think we went back and forth with the city for 10 months before they agreed to give me the paperwork that would allow it to be scrapped. I get that no one wants to get it wrong and accidentally throw someone else's property into the bin.
In the UK, you can request a new V5 from DVLA (this doesn't give you ownership, you just become the "registered keeper"). The DVLA contacts the previous owner, if they don't respond you get a new V5.
