Shopping for a used car can provide a lot of opportunities for buyers looking for value, but these motorists have to be aware of some common mistakes that can disrupt the process. These blunders can occur at any point in the search and selection of pre-owned vehicles, so drivers should pay attention to how they conduct the business transaction. 

"Buying a car is something people usually only do at most every few years, so naturally the right way to go about it isn't always top of mind," said Brian Moody, the site editor of AutoTrader.com. "But a misstep during the shopping process could turn a great deal into a money pit in the long run." 

One concept to keep in mind is that you should compile a list of the features you need and stick to it. The overwhelming amount of options available at a used car lot can cause you to consider special packages or amenities that are unnecessary, which could drive up the cost. Having a concrete list of what you want will help to keep you focused throughout the shopping experience. 

Drivers should also be sure to take the vehicle in for a mechanical inspection. A vehicle may run beautifully during a test drive but still have some issues under the hood. Having a professional take a look at the inner workings of a used car is essential for planning out future maintenance and making sure there no surprises in store. 

You can find a great used car shopping experience at NJ State Auto Auction. The auction lot is filled with CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, any of which can offer great value for drivers. 

Now that lengthy summer road trips are in the past, it is time for drivers to turn their attention to fall and winter maintenance. Cooler temperatures, slick roads and inclement weather will be here before you know it, and it is extremely important to get a leg up on regular maintenance that can prevent problems from striking in the future. 

There are a few areas of a car that drivers should be looking out in preparation for colder weather. Brakes will likely need to be replaced. Excessive use stemming from heavy summer traffic or extended road trips could wear down these gears, and you should install some fresh products to handle slick or icy roads. 

Another area that needs attention is the wipers. Not only should you be checking the wiper fluid to make sure you can clean the ice off a windshield, but you also should consider getting new blades. Driving in the winter requires heavy-duty wipers that can break through frost, wet snow, leaves and more. Having new ones installed ensures that you'll can break through this buildup to see whatever obstacles are in your way. 

Perhaps the most important aspect of a vehicle that needs to be examined is its tires. Some motorists may want to consider investing in snow tires for the winter, particularly if they anticipate lots of tough driving conditions, but others should simply be checking on the tread to see if the tires are capable of gripping slippery roads in the months ahead. 

The Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction is available to help drivers perform maintenance on their vehicles. The garage caters to the public and can help with any issues your automobile may have. 

National Child Passenger Safety Week kicked off Sept. 15, and as part of the awareness effort, the organization Safe Kids Today released a new safety study with the General Motors Foundation. Titled "Buckle Up: Every Ride, Every Time," the report found that many parents are not using seatbelts effectively with their children. 

According to the study, about 21 percent of parents believe it is acceptable to drive with children unrestrained in specific circumstances, such as when they are only driving a short distance or traveling overnight. However, these instances can be among the most dangerous for passengers. Approximately 60 percent of accidents involving children occur 10 minutes or less from home, and kids are more likely to be injured in crashes at night than during the day. 

"As kids grow up, it can be easy to forget the importance of taking time to buckle up, especially on a quick or overnight trip. Unfortunately, exceptions can lead to tragedies," said Mike Robinson, a vice president at GM. "The research findings underscore the importance of remaining vigilant about buckling up throughout a child's lifetime. There is no reason important enough to take the risk." 

Safety doesn't stop when kids are old enough to drive themselves, either. New drivers need to buckle up just as much as young children, and engraining the habit of automatically using a seatbelt can protect them in many situations on the roads. 

Parents, young drivers and other motorists should be on the lookout for a vehicle that blends their desire for style with the need for safety. At New Jersey State Auto Auction, they can browse through a wide selection of CARFAX-certified cars, truck and vans, many of which are both safe and attractive.

Graduated driver licensing laws were created to give young motorists plenty of time to get used to the road before they find themselves in risky situations. Often, these good intentions fall short, as many teen drivers bypass the regulations without the knowledge of their parents. In fact, according to a recent survey from State Farm, many parents and their teen drivers are not on the same page when it comes to GDL programs. 

The study found that there are several areas where parents are not informed as to their teen's driving habits. For instance, about 69 percent of adults think their child always follows a nighttime driving curfew, when in reality, only 48 percent of teens say they almost always follow this law. Similarly, approximately 70 percent of parents believe their children adhere to rules regarding the number of passengers they can have in a car. Only 43 percent of young motorists say they always follow this restriction, which can contribute to unsafe situations and distracted driving. 

"Over the past two decades, some form of GDL has been passed in every state, and teen crash fatalities have dropped substantially, but more still needs to be done to save lives," said Kendall Pole, chairman of the Governors Highway Safety Association. "Parents can play a key role in enforcing and monitoring GDL laws and helping teens become safe drivers. Parents should not rely solely on GDL to instill good driving habits – they have to step up as well." 

Parents looking to keep their teens safe will want to make sure they are investing in a car with plenty of safety features. To do so without breaking the bank, head down to NJ State Auto Auction. There you can find a wide variety of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that could be the ideal affordable investment for you and your teen.