As you hunt high and low for the best used cars, you're going to have to keep track of a lot of tiny details. Everything from preferred car color to mileage to sticker price has to be meticulously organized and accounted for in a budget, and that takes a lot of effort. In fact, it may even distract you from focusing on some other important aspects of the used cars. 

The next time you're looking at a used car, make sure you're paying attention to these five aspects of the vehicle. Each one can have a major impact on your auto-related decisions. 

1. Recall history 
Checking out the recall history of a used car is more cautionary than anything. Some vehicles may have a clean record, but if there's any that have been involved in a recall, you need to ensure they've had the necessary repairs. A thorough vehicle history report or repair summary should have these details. 

2. Driver complaints 
As you're looking up details of certain makes and models, take the time to examine any documented driver complaints. If you know what other drivers noticed during their time behind the wheel, you'll be in a better position to evaluate performance, judge a test drive and even negotiate a price. 

3. Strange smells 
Your test drive will likely involve getting comfortable in the driver's seat and evaluating the car's road performance. However, that's not all you need to look at. Take note of any strange odors in the car itself. Consumer Reports noted that musty smells may indicate that there was a leak or water problem, while other scents could be a sign that a previous owner was a smoker. 

4. Maintenance costs 
It's relatively easy to look up the average maintenance costs for certain brands or models. Although some of these expenses might not come into play, it's best to know ahead of time what you can expect so you can factor it into your budget. 

5. Average expenses 
Maintenance or repair costs can vary based on many factors, but other expenses will stay relatively flat throughout your time as a car owner. It's best to work out these costs before you buy. Take the time to determine what your hypothetical monthly payments would be for insurance, loans and fuel. This allows you to work out a budget and figure out what you'd be willing to bid at a facility like NJ State Auto Auction. With so many quality used cars on this lot, it's easy to find a car, truck or van that meets all of your needs.