You've done your research, cruised through a test drive and found the perfect car. When it comes time to sit in the dealer's office and sign the car loan documents, are you prepared? Auto loans and financing options are great ways to allow drivers from all backgrounds to become car owners, but if you're not careful, you may find yourself facing down contractual complications. Before you scribble your John Hancock onto the contract, there are a few things to keep in mind to keep your new wheels from driving you crazy down the road.

Give yourself credit
A big part of what sort of loan you can find yourself qualifying for is your credit history. While bad credit won't necessarily lock you out of a loan, it can result in a higher interest rate or larger down payment required when you sign. That's why Bankrate recommended building your credit as much as possible before heading to the dealer's office. If you can afford to hold off on buying a car for a month or so, dedicate a few weeks to paying outstanding credit bills. Timeliness of your credit payments can affect more than 30 percent of your credit score, so staying on top of bills and letting late payments fall off the radar can be beneficial.

Assert your independence
If your credit score is on the beefier side, you may be able to qualify for independent financing. This means getting preapproved for a loan through a bank or other institution rather than through the dealer. While still subject to interest rates and minimum payments, this step will qualify you as a cash buyer at the dealership. According to Today Money, this is a huge advantage, as it gives you more breathing room when it comes to things such as negotiating costs and payment terms.

Exercise caution
In some cases, dealers may offer buyers with poor credit what is known as spot delivery – a practice Edmunds reported consists of approving a purchase before the financing actually finalizes. While this does offer you the benefit of driving off the lot with a car, it can lead to problems later on. Once the dust settles on the financing approval process, you may find yourself subject to a higher-than-agreed-upon interest rate or even being asked to conjure up a higher down payment.

If you're looking for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot and an in-house finance team to help you afford the used vehicle of your dreams.