The auto loan delinquency rate, which tracks loans with payments that are more than 60 days late, remained relatively flat in the fourth quarter of 2010, although the figure was well below that of the same period in 2009.

According to TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus, 0.59 percent of all car loans were delinquent in the fourth quarter in 2010, a very slight increase from the 0.58 percent in the third quarter. However, the rate was still a 27.2 percent improvement over the fourth quarter of 2009.

"As expected, the national delinquency rate changed very little during the fourth quarter as this period typically exhibits the least amount of seasonality," said Peter Turek, automotive vice president for TransUnion. "The good news is that TransUnion expects national auto delinquency rates to continue to be well below the peak of 0.86 percent – a rate experienced during the heart of the recession in the fourth quarter of 2008."

The credit bureau predicts that the figure will remain relatively stable throughout 2011, and won't approach the levels seen during the recession. Specifically, the company is forecasting a rate of nearly 0.48 percent for around mid-June, before jumping back up to 0.56 before the end of the year.

Drivers interested in financing their new or used vehicle purchase may want to visit New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers car loan solutions for all buyers.