A new Polk study reveals that drivers are continuing to hold on to their vehicles for longer before trading them in. There has been a overall 23 percent increase in the average length of time drivers will wait to purchase their next vehicle. Those who buy new are driving their vehicles an average of just about six years, and used car owners have their vehicles about four years on average before they head back to the dealer. This means that more motorists will need work done on their cars to keep them on the road, which may place a strain on the automotive aftermarket industry.

"As the aftermarket prepares to service this aging vehicle population, this creates concerns about appropriate parts inventory," said Mark Seng, global aftermarket practice leader at Polk.  "As a result of our analysis, we're currently working with customers in the aftermarket to help them prepare for increasing demand throughout the entire supply chain."

More older vehicles on the road will likely lead to an increased demand for repairs and maintenance, as getting some work done on a car tends to be less expensive than replacing a vehicle. However, many drivers have been putting off purchases since the recession began in 2008, and experts believe there could be a surge in car buying this year as those vehicles need to be replaced. The New York Times reports that car sales have already started strong in January.

Whether drivers want to keep their current vehicles or trade them in for another model, they need look no further than New Jersey State Auto Auction. NJ Auto offers a wide variety of used makes and models at affordable prices, and they're all CARFAX certified, so consumers know they're getting reliable rides. The Total Car Care center, which is open to the public, can take care of repairs and tuneups for those who are not quite ready for their next car.