Shopping at a reliable used car dealer is one of the most important things about purchasing a vehicle and one woman in Birmingham, Michigan, learned that the hard way. Several months after she bought a 2006 Ford Expedition the car began to smell like a rotting corpse and now she is suing the Ford dealership, Fox affiliate WJBK reports.

The woman claims she bought the vehicle in March but by the time summer rolled around the smell had become unbearable. And it was not just the smell that bothered her either, the SUV had some other significant drawbacks – including dead bugs and maggots littering the carpets in the front seats.

Perhaps most damaging is that the consumer was unaware of the car's lengthy and checkered history. The lawsuit claims that the SUV was originally a rental car in Florida before it was brought to Michigan. It also says that the Expedition was stolen. Both of these facts were not made clear to the owner.

"One that it was a prior daily rental," attorney Dani Liblang told the news channel. "They weren't told about that. Secondly, that it had been stolen and recovered, but worst of all, that it apparently had some kind of human remains in it that caused an awful decomposition-type smell."

If there's one thing the buyer's plight indicates, it's the importance of knowing a vehicle's history. Luckily, at New Jersey State Auto Auction such an experience would never come to pass. All the makes and models at New Jersey Auto are Carfax certified so you know the history of the car before you get behind the wheel. 

Despite concerns over a pair of Chevrolet Volts that caught fire after being involved in crash tests, General Motors was quick to downplay any risks of its newly-released electronic vehicle. However, their best efforts may not have been enough as a recent survey shows that the fires may have extinguished any enthusiasm consumers may had about the Volt, USA Today reports.

The survey conducted by CNW, which polled about 3,800 Americans, found that only about 0.6 percent said they were "very likely" to buy a Volt. That is down considerably from a the 1.3 percent who said the same thing in March. The results were just as poor for those who considered themselves "likely," which dropped from 4.3 percent to 1.1 percent.

The fires are just one of a number of setbacks for General Motors since the car first rolled out in late 2010. Most damaging, however, has been the car's surprisingly high price tag. Experts believe that the nearly-$40,000 asking price is turning a number of potential consumers away, and the statistics seem to agree.

"The underlying softness of the Volt continues to grow," CNW Research chief Art Spinella told the publication. "The price really turned people off."

Safety and an a good price are two major factors that consumers consider when buying a car, and at New Jersey State Auto Auction, they can find both. The dealer offers a wide variety of used cars that come at affordable prices so you can drive off with something that won't break the bank. As for safety, all products are Carfax certified so you know you're getting a car without any hidden problems. 

Buying a used car from its owner may seem like a good idea at first. After all, you can do business just between the two of you and you might be able to get a lower price. However, there are a number of pitfalls that can make the experience immediately turn sour and have you running toward New Jersey State Auto Auction. According to Cars.com, there are several red flags that everyone should be aware of when looking at used cars.

Among the most easily-recognizable indicators that you may be in for a bad experience is the lack of repair records. Most consumers want to see what, if any, repairs have been done on a car to be sure that it won't break down as soon as they buy it. At New Jersey State Auto Auction, however, that is not a problem because every automobile on the lot is Carfax Certified so you know it is reliable.

Another sign that you may want to take your business elsewhere has to do with the fluids. Specifically, taking a look at the oil and transmission fluid can help shed some light on how well the vehicle has been maintained.

According to Cars.com, accident damage is something that certainly has to be taken into account as well. Though something minor like a fender bender is nothing to be worried about, if your mechanic finds that much of the car has undergone some repairs it could portend much bigger problems farther on down the road.

The only fool-proof way to avoid any potential mishaps of buying a used car from a private seller is to visit a reliable dealer like New Jersey Auto. In addition to offering numerous makes and models at affordable prices, the dealer also provides guaranteeing credit approval regardless of whether you have bad, good, or no credit to speak of.  

The end of the year is widely considered to be one of the best times to purchase new and used cars, and as it turns out, this year it is also an ideal period to trade in your car. Experts say that used cars have been retaining their value over the last six months so if you've been waiting for the best moment to sell, it might be now, according to NBC affiliate KARE.

Over the last four years or so, few people have been buying new cars. As a result, this has lowered the number of used cars on many lots so most dealers are looking to buy, and some say they have no set limit on how many vehicles they want to purchase.

"We can't get enough trade-ins. We, like most other dealers in the cities will make really good offers just to buy used cars outright. We need them to sell them," industry insider Doug Sprinthall told the news channel.

New Jersey State Auto Auction is a great place to go if you're considering taking advantage of the excellent trade-in market. Due to its status as an authorized Autotrader.com Trade In Marketplace Dealership, customers can quickly get a free appraisal.

Although experts say that most cars that are between one and two years old can get the close to their original value, there are a number of models that are especially high in demand. According to MSN Autos, the 2009 Ford Fusion, 2008 Honda CR-V and 2008 Hyundai Elantra are all popular choices. 

General Motors launched an investigation into what may have caused fires in its Chevrolet Volts after a federal crash test, and the manufacturer may have found a culprit. Experts believe that the fires may have been started by a coolant leak that managed to puncture the battery case, USA Today reports.

The first signs of trouble occurred several weeks ago, after the plug-in vehicles were tested by federal officials. Two of the cars experienced a fire days after the tests while a third one's battery heated up considerably. GM has addressed the issue by offering the estimated 6,400 Volt owners with a free loaner until the matter is resolved.

"It's just kind of a detective game to say, 'Is there something we can do to protect from this situation?'" GM product chief Mary Barra told the publication.

The fires come after already-disappointing sales for the electronic vehicle. According to The Wall Street Journal, the company will likely fall short of its goal of 10,000 cars sold this year – instead analysts estimate they will likely sell about 8,000. Still, despite the fires and the low sales figures, those who have purchased the car are standing behind it and officials are confident.

"There is no question in my mind that the Volt is safe. We are doing everything we can to make sure that it is even safer," GM CEO Dan Akerson told the Journal last week.

Whether electric or gas-powered, regular auto-maintenance is a must to keep cars running smoothly. New Jersey State Auto Auction provides motorists with its Total Car Care Center, which not only can perform general upkeep but also offers repairs on other fixes to the general public.  

Midsize sedans have long been the most popular cars on the road, but it looks like there may soon be a changing of the guard. Analysts from J.D. Power and Associates believe that smaller, compact cars may overtake larger models by as early as this year, The Associated Press reports.

The predictions are in stark contrast to five years ago when dealers sold about 250,000 more midsize sedans than compact cars. However, drivers have become increasingly likely to get behind the wheel of a smaller car for a number of reasons. In addition to being generally more fuel efficient and less expensive, they are also much more spacious than they used to be.

According to the AP, popular sedans like the Toyota Camry are being challenged by smaller cars like the Hyundai Elantra, which costs about $5,000 less and gets about 40 miles to the gallon. Additionally, newer versions of the compact Honda Civic have been popular due to an increase in features.

"The new Civic really feels like a luxury update of the old one," Mara Landers, who drives a 2009 Civic, told the AP.

Manufacturers have also placed an added emphasis on smaller cars in an effort to meet the increasingly stringent fuel efficiency standards placed on them by the government. Specifically, companies' fleets have to get an average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

Whether you're looking to downsize or simply get behind the wheel of a used car, New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of makes and models to choose from. Along with a wide selection, New Jersey Auto also offers guaranteed credit approval so getting a loan is an especially easy process.  

The 2011 Tokyo Motor Show included some of the most innovative designs in the automotive world, but Honda decided to highlight its continued commitment to fuel-efficient cars. Along with renewing its commitment to drastically cut carbon emissions over the next 10 years, company CEO Takanobu Ito also hinted that Honda may try to roll out a new hybrid version of the Accord.

What is surprising about the announcement is that it would not be the first Accord hybrid to hit the United States. According to USA Today, a fuel-saving model supposedly hit the American and Canadian markets in 2005, but by the end of 2007, the company decided to end the experiment. The car performed poorly in sales largely because it did not save as much as gas as the name led consumers to believe.

Despite the lack of success with the hybrid Accord, Ito said in a speech at the convention that Honda is developing a new engine that will hopefully make the cars more eco-friendly and exciting to drive.

"Under the name 'Earth Dreams Technology,' Honda has created a new next-generation engine and transmission series, which we will apply to our products to realize both 'fun' and 'environmental' values at a high level," he said at the conference.

While it may be some time until Honda rolls out some more fuel-efficient models, there is some good news for motorists looking to save money at the pump. According to USA Today's Drive On blog, the national average for a gallon of gas dropped to around $3.25 and while that is certainly not cheap it's good news that the price is dipping during a time when it is usually on the rise. Additionally, it's a considerable drop compared to the average of around $3.90 earlier this year.

Along with the car you choose and the price of fuel, there are several types of maintenance you can perform to ensure your vehicle gets the best gas mileage possible. According to Edmunds.com, easy steps like keeping your tires properly inflated and checking your air filter can all pay off.

Getting your engine tuned also yields numerous benefits when it comes to fuel efficiency, and New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center makes the process easy. Located in Jersey City, the center is open to the public and can go a long way to getting the most out of your car.  

It almost goes without saying that drivers should be on top of regular auto maintenance, but as more and more people try to keep their cars on the road even longer, certain aspects of vehicular upkeep have come to the forefront. Although making sure every part of the car is in good working order is important, according to NBC affiliate WDIV, some are more crucial than others.

Fluids play a vital role in a car's operation, so it should come as no surprise that ignoring the fluid levels can be one of the most serious mistakes a driver can make. Not only will this mistake cost motorists a great deal of money, but not changing the fluids on time can also cause some irreparable damage to the car. Experts say that ignoring the warning signs is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

"If the light is on, you need to shut the engine off now because you have no idea what kind of damage you could be doing," industry insider Mark Larsen told the news channel. "Either light – the coolant light or engine oil light – if either one of them come on, you better be pulling over and stopping what you’re doing."

To ensure that your car has enough fluid, whether it be engine coolant, oil or transmission, you may want to take it to a professional for regular maintenance. New Jersey Auto Auction provides motorists with its Total Car Care Center, which is open to the public. Located in Jersey City, the department can also help with auto repairs to ensure your car is on the road as long as possible.  

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel days of the year. In fact, AAA estimates that about 38.2 million Americans will be making the trip to their destination by car this year. With the increased amount of people on the road, now is an excellent time to highlight the importance of maintenance to ensure that motorists get to their destinations easily and safely, and CBS affiliate WIBW reports there are some things all drivers should consider.

Whether it's before taking off for Thanksgiving or simply for regular upkeep, car owners should check their tires fairly often. Most importantly, keeping the tire pressure at the right level will both provide traction and reduce the chances of a blowout. Additionally, you should make sure that the spare tire is in good working order should the need ever arise to use it.

There's nothing worse than being stranded with a dead battery. Though it's a common problem, it can often sneak up on unsuspecting drivers. According to the news channel, you should make sure the terminals are both secured and free of corrosion and if not, it should be cleaned or replaced.

As a final maintenance step, you should make sure all the fluids are at the right levels. Regardless of whether or not you're traveling 10 minutes or five hours to reach your destination, things like oil and radiator coolant are crucial.

Although there is a long list of auto maintenance you can take care of yourself before you travel this holiday season, sometimes you need the help of a professional. New Jersey State Auto Auction provides motorists with an easy way to get their car looked at with its Total Car Care center. Located in Jersey City, the center is open to the public and will make sure your vehicle is running smoothly.  

It's widely known that hybrid cars can help drivers save money at the pump, but the fuel-efficient vehicles may also help prevent them from getting in an accident. A recent study from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) found that drivers of hybrid cars are 25 percent less likely to be injured in an accident than other motorists on the road, The Detroit News reports.

There are a number of factors going into how the researchers arrived at the figures. Specifically, scientists say that it may depend largely on the thought process of a hybrid driver. Most people behind the wheel of a hybrid car are trying to get the most mileage possible and tend to drive more carefully.

Driving habits may have something to do with it, but the construction hybrid cars were also a factor. According to the newspaper, most hybrid models are heavier than their normal counterparts. For example, a hybrid Accord weighs about 480 pounds less than a traditional Accord.

"Weight is a big factor," said Matt Moore, the HLDI vice president and author of the report. "This extra mass gives them an advantage in crashes that their conventional twins don't have."

Though the study found hybrid drivers are less likely to be injured, it also found that they are 20 percent more likely to be involved in a crash with a pedestrian due to the vehicles' quiet engines.

In addition to driving more carefully, keeping your car properly maintained is another excellent way to make sure that you are safe behind the wheel. New Jersey State Auto Auction offers consumers with a Total Car Care Center so they can make sure their vehicle is in perfect working condition.