What happens to the car when someone passes away?

that depends on whether it is paid off or still has a loan/lean on it. if it is paid off, it must be willed to somebody, or it can be purchased from the estate. if it has a loan on it it can either be givin back to the lender, or the loan can be taken over by the executor of estate. if it is to be bought form the estate it must be sold by the executor of estate. if it is willed to a person and it is paid off you simply have to do the paperwork to make it legally yours. in any case, the best person to discuss this with is the executor of estate, or the deceased's lawyer. they can handle or guide you to your options. just an fyi, the executor is essentially somebody who has power of attorney. they are typically the widow, or somebody appointed in the will.