No matter how stylish, sporty or expensive a car looks on the outside, if it's not safe, reliable or a quality ride, it's not worth any amount of money. A car, new or used, is a significant investment, so you don't want to dedicate a big chunk of change to a vehicle that's going to need loads of maintenance and repairs or one that can't protect you in a crash. If you're going to spend the money, it's essential that you find a vehicle that meets certain industry standards as well as your own requirements.

All makes and models are rigorously tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but a car's worth goes beyond safety. When you're shopping for a used car, you have an advantage over new-car buyers, because the models you're considering have been tested in the real world and you can glean a lot more information about their long-term quality.

In addition to finding a safe used car, you'll also want one that is comfortable to sit in and operate. Something that's too cramped or offers low visibility will drive you crazy by the time you can afford to trade it in for a better model. 

To begin filtering the weak links from your options, avoid these three models:

2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV 
Electric cars hold a lot of promise and many are doing rather well in the market, but this Mitsubishi fell rather short of that mark. Consumer Reports ranked it among the worst cars of 2014 due to its seven-hour recharge time, shorter-than-average range of 62 miles and unimpressive handling. Despite the automaker touting the i-MiEV's interior features that include a leather steering wheel and heated front seats, the reviewer indicated the design fell far short of impressive and even threw around the words "cheap" and "antiquated" to describe the interior. The model also came in at the bottom of National Auto Dealer's Association's list for value retention, with an average trade-in value of just over $8,000, nearly $6,000 lower than the second worst model, according to Green Car Reports.

2011 Nissan Versa
Among 2011 model year vehicles, the Versa was at the bottom of the list in terms of safety. Forbes reported that this compact car had the worst scores in the NHTSA's tests that year, with an overall score of two out of a possible five stars. It is possible that, due to changes in the testing qualifications that took effect in 2010, the Versa's score may not accurately depict its safety in the real world, but why take chances if there are countless other, much higher-rated options out there? It's also a good model to avoid if you want to carry more than two passengers. Kelley Blue Book pointed out that the interior is anything but roomy, something to be expected of smaller car styles, but certainly worth noting if cabin size is important to you.

2011 Cadillac STS
​Cadillac is often thought to be synonymous with quality and luxury, but the STS doesn't fit this mold. This is the final model year for the discontinued vehicle, and though it sold well when it was released, a few details may make you want to think twice about test driving a pre-owned model. The IIHS tests resulted in the lowest rating for head restraint and seat safety. In fact, the model has gotten a "poor" score consistently since 2005 in this category. The side impact score was only moderately better with an "acceptable rating." According to Forbes, the price tag of the car when it was new was much higher than the quality it offered drivers.

While these cars, among others, may not be the most ideal choices for your next ride, there are still hundreds of models on the used car market that will meet and exceed your expectations. So long as you know what qualifications you want a vehicle to meet and you research your options carefully, you'll be prepared to step onto the lot and find the perfect car. New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of different pre-owned models to choose from, and the selection changes weekly.