As the quality of vehicles continue to improve, the supply of used cars for sale is getting better and better. This is good news for many drivers, as it means they can find pre-owned automobiles that boast some impressive features and top-notch performance, all without breaking the bank. However, as the quality goes up, so do prices. Although the sticker prices for these used cars are still much lower than new models, shoppers have to put in some work to find the best value. 

The NADA Used Car Guide predicts that the price of used cars that are between 4 and 10 years old will be 0.5 percent higher at the end of 2013 than they were the year before. At the same time, pre-owned vehicles that are under 3 years old will likely see average prices 1.5 percent lower than in 2012. Much of this has to do with the quality and reliability of older models, which are rapidly leveling the playing field in these areas when compared to more recent automobiles. 

"Historically speaking, reliability and unexpected repair cost concerns meant that vehicles over 5 years of age took a back seat to their younger, in-warranty counterparts in terms of demand," said Jonathan Banks, an analyst for the NADA Used Car Guide. "However, rapid advances in dependability over the past decade have changed consumer attitudes toward purchasing older vehicles." 

Drivers on the hunt for used cars that are both dependable and valuable are not without hope. The lot at New Jersey State Auto Auction is filled with CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, and any of these pre-owned vehicles has the potential to be a great investment for any motorist.