Forgetting things is frustrating. However, the good news is that most of the time, the seemingly lost item would eventually resurface. That is the reason some people keep themselves from worrying because the lost item will eventually find its way back to them.

But what if it does not reappear for the next 20 years?

That is exactly what happened to a German motorist who thought he lost his car, a Volkswagen Passat, in 1997, only to find out two decades later that it was at the exact same place where he left it.

According to German local newspaper Augsberger Allgemein, the man, who is now 76 years old, forgot where he parked his car, which was in an industrial building in Frankfurt. When he was tired looking for it, the man assumed the car was stolen, and so he reported it to the authorities.

Car Left Parked For 20 Years

However, on Wednesday a demolition company found the rusting car inside the structure's parking area which hindered their demolition of the entire building. The company informed the authorities regarding the Volkswagen Passat, which the latter then connected to a stolen car report back in 1997.

In the report, Frankfurt police tracked down the car's owner, and brought him and his daughter to the old building to be reunited with his long lost car. Unfortunately, the car is no longer functional.

"The car can no longer be driven and will be sent to the scrap heap", says authorities.

Tips To Find A Lost Car

For people who often forget where they put their things, or where they park their vehicles, there are ways to fight forgetfulness. One way is to remember the name of the street, parking lot, or building where the car is located. It may not be the exact location, but knowing the area narrows options. If the vehicle owner remembered he parked inside an industrial building, even when he thought it was stolen, the police could have had a lead as to where to start looking.

Another way to keep track of a car is use mobile applications, although this could only work in modern vehicles that support mobile phone connections and GPS. Finally, the easiest way is to ask a friend or family member to park the vehicle and remember its location. There is a high possibility that the German car owner was alone when he parked the vehicle, which left no witnesses to help him remember its whereabouts.