Buying a used car doesn't have to mean sacrificing quality or value. In fact, many pre-owned vehicles can offer an excellent blend of capability and relatively low cost-to-own, making the act of purchasing and maintaining these automobiles much more manageable. 

There are many used cars for sale that are incredibly reliable, but a recent study from J.D. Power found that new models are declining in their dependability. Because many automakers have moved toward creating vehicles with better fuel economy, they have had to make tweaks with regard to the engine and transmission. Using new manufacturing strategies, in turn, has led to more problems with these aspects of the car, causing drivers to have to deal with a greater number of maintenance issues.  

"Automakers are continually looking for ways to improve fuel economy, which is a primary purchase motivator for many consumers, particularly those buying smaller vehicles," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power. "However, while striving to reduce fuel consumption, automakers must be careful not to compromise quality. Increases in such problems as engine hesitation, rough transmission shifts and lack of power indicate that this is a continuing challenge."

Although there are certainly exceptions to this trend, it does point to the fact that certain older used cars may be just as valuable of a purchase as newer ones. 

Even if you're confident that your vehicle is dependable, a problem may arise. If that happens, you can take it to NJ State Auto Auction for a closer inspection. The facility has the Total Car Care Center, which is a garage that caters to the public and is capable of addressing any issues you may have.