Results of a new J.D. Power and Associates study reveal why people choose their cars, and the reasons might be a bit surprising. Consumers are more likely to base their purchase on common knowledge or opinions rather than any personal experience with the vehicle in question.

The research was conducted as part of the firm's annual Avoider Study, which aims to find out why consumers stay away from certain cars while they flock to other models. A large portion of responders, 43 percent, said that their perception of a particular brand's reliability and quality is what swayed their decision.

About 38 percent said that reading a poor review was what made them stay away, while only 14 percent said that their actual experience is what made them think poorly of a particular brand. The findings indicate that some automakers should place an emphasis on changing their public perception.

"For some brands, namely those that have created marked improvements in their quality and reliability in recent years, it's even more vital to tell their improvement story, rather than just waiting for perceptions to change over time," said J.D. Power and Associates' research director Jon Osborn said.

Instead of basing your decision on reputation, you should consider several other ways to determine the quality of a used car. Of course, the test drive will be an important factor in your decision because taking a car out on the road is the only way to get a feel for how it actually operates. Not only that, but you will want to look into the car's vehicle history to understand any potential pitfalls.

Regardless of how you choose your used car, New Jersey State Auto Auction will have the vehicle for you. Additionally, since each automobile is Carfax certified you know it is a reliable choice.