Some motorists may be putting off auto maintenance to save money, but experts say they are doing so at their own peril. Consumer Reports points out that ignoring regular upkeep on a car can significantly reduce how safety it is and it should be a priority. However, this is not the case for many drivers.

A recent Consumer Reports poll found that 40 percent of drivers are putting off maintenance on their primary vehicle because they are trying to cut back on costs – but they shouldn't. By ignoring upkeep, they are turning a blind eye to important components such as brakes, tires and light bulbs, which puts them at risk on the road.

"The family car is the second largest purchase a consumer can make. It's also often one of the most abused," said Jeff Bartlett, Consumer Reports' deputy online automotive editor. "We expect our car to work even in the harshest conditions. So protecting that investment should be a priority, especially when it becomes a safety issue."

The research also found some interesting results concerning the confidence drivers have in the auto repair shop they choose to go to. More than half of respondents said that they completely trusted the business they visit, and 83 percent were confident that they would get the right repair for the correct price.

As a final point, the survey revealed some telling statistics about why car owners choose to get a different model. In particular, 82 percent replaced their car due to poor reliability and 67 percent did so because of safety concerns.

New Jersey State Auto Auction offers drivers easy access to its Total Car Care center so they can ensure their car is in fine working condition when it's on the road.