There are statute of limitations for the criminal act of stealing a car, but the title to a vehicle does not expire. So, while a person would not be able to be proscecuted for "grand theft auto" . . . that doesn't mean they get to keep the car or to profit from its sale by stashing it away until the SOL runs out.

Further, if the vehicle registration has been subsequently obtained via fraud or altering the VIN . . . legal title to the car doesn't pass to subsequent buyers.