The latest Used Car Safety Rating Report has been released, revealing which common cars could be putting your life in danger on the road. Testing by the NSW Government showed one-star safety rated cars had more than 10 times the chance of a fatal accident, over five-star rated cars in a relatively low-speed crash of 60km/h.
Based on data from the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC), the 2024 ratings analyse 9.4 million vehicles involved in police-reported crashes and 2.6 million injured road users in Australia and New Zealand from 1987 to 2022.
The latest ratings indicate a significant improvement in vehicle safety, with the average risk of death or serious injury for drivers in 2022 models reduced by 36 per cent compared to those manufactured in 2002.
Research lead and MUARC Director, Professor Stuart Newstead, said the updated ratings will empower consumers to make a safer choice both for them and the broader community.
“To minimise road trauma in the community it is important to choose vehicles that optimise safety in all the dimensions considered in the Used Car Safety Ratings. We need to consider how the vehicle protects you as the driver in a crash, the injury risk the vehicle poses to other road users in the crash and how likely the vehicle is to avoid a crash altogether.
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“The Used Car Safety Ratings ‘Overall Safety’ rating reflects the balance of performance of a vehicle across all these aspects. Choosing vehicles that perform best overall will have the biggest impact on reducing road trauma in our communities,” Professor Newstead said.
In total, 534 vehicle models were rated out of five-stars for Overall Safety, which is a reflection of combined performance across Driver Safety, Other Road User Safety and Crash Avoidance, with one-star being the worst for safety and five-stars indicating the best rated vehicles for relative safety performance.
This provides consumers with 110 vehicles allocated a 5-star rating. This year, 54 vehicles received 'Safer Pick' status after scoring a five-star rating for both Overall Safety and Driver Safety; and having a four- or five-star Other Road User Safety and Crash Avoidance.
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison added that the guide is especially important for rural and regional communities, where car safety can be the difference between life and death on long stretches of road.
“For drivers in regional NSW, distances of travel are longer and many people use older vehicles, so choosing a vehicle with a high safety rating increases your chances of surviving a crash,” she said.
“Cost of living, particularly in regional areas, is an important issue for the Government and that is why we are encouraging everyone considering purchasing a second-hand car to use this guide to ensure they choose a safe vehicle.”
For budget-conscious motorists, the ratings reveal that nearly all 'Safer Pick' vehicles are available second-hand for under AUD $25,000, with over half priced at AUD $10,000 or less. This highlights the availability of safe options across various price ranges, particularly for young drivers.
The 2024 Used Car Safety Ratings show significant improvements in vehicle safety over the past 20 years. All 'Safer Pick' vehicles were made from 2004 onwards, with 91 per cent produced after 2008. This reflects the advantages of newer vehicles in terms of safety features, design quality, and compliance with updated regulation. Additionally, Electronic Stability Control has become widely available in vehicles since then.
New South Wales Minister for Roads John Graham said that while budget is usually top priority, safety can do a lot more than save a few extra dollars on the road.
“What is just as important is considering which used car delivers the safest performance for your budget. Your choice might literally save your life,” he said.
“I urge parents of young people who may be looking for a first car to consider safety above all else and if you can buy a vehicle that is the safest in its category or price point, do so.
“A driver behind the wheel of the lowest-rated vehicle is ten times more likely to be killed or seriously injured compared to a driver in the safest vehicle. The choice is that clear.”
BREAKOUT BOX
Five star (pls include 5 ***** star graphic!)
Mazda 3 (2013 – 2019)
Toyota Camry (2011 – 2022)
Volkswagen Touareg (2011 – 2019)
One star (pls include 1 * graphic)
Ford Fiesta (2004 – 2008)
Hyundai Accent (2000 – 2006)
Toyota Camry (1997- 2002)
