Appearance, performance and fuel-economy are all important things to consider when purchasing a car, but perhaps the greatest criteria of all is how reliable it is. After all, if your ride doesn't last very long, it doesn't matter how sleek it look or how many miles you get per tank of gas. A recent study from J.D. Power and Associates revealed what consumers feel are the most dependable cars, and Toyota dominated.

The venerable Japanese automaker was the highest-rated non-premium nameplate, and its sister brand Lexus took the top honors in the luxury sector. Additionally, another Toyota offshoot – Scion – came in fifth place after a 17-spot jump compared to last year.

"We are extremely pleased that not only did we win awards in eight of the 14 model segments, but that in two segments we finished one-two and made the podium in 12 segments overall", said Jim Lentz, President and Chief Operating Officer Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

While Toyota and Lexus were the top performers, there were some American-made brands that had high marks as well. In particular, the Ford Explorer was honored for its dependability, as were two General Motors products, the Buick Lucerne and Chevrolet Equinox.

Of course, part of a vehicle's dependability is how well you take care of it. J.D. Power says that if you own any of the cars on the list and maintain it reasonably well over its lifespan, chances are you can trade it in for a high value when the time comes.

To ensure that your car lives up to its dependability rating, you should visit New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, the center provides everything from repairs to general upkeep.