Australia’s safest and most dangerous used cars revealed
Aussies are putting themselves in danger everyday with potentially catastrophic consequences, as local motoring clubs reveal less than a quarter of used cars make the top safety grade. SEE IF YOUR CAR IS LISTED
Motoring news
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring news. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The used car you buy could decide whether you live or die, according to new research.
Australian motoring clubs have released used car safety ratings, and the results are shocking.
The data shows just 23 per cent of the 300 vehicles analysed had a five-star crash safety rating.
This means some of Australia’s most disadvantaged and youngest drivers are at higher risk of a fatal crash on the road.
According to the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland head of safety policy Steve Spalding, this has the potential for devastating consequences for drivers.
“To give some perspective, a person driving a one-star vehicle is almost twice as likely to be killed or seriously hurt than someone in a five-star car,” Spalding said.
“Whatever you do, always aim to buy a vehicle with the best star rating within your budget. It could save a life.”
This sentiment was supported by the Royal Automobile Club of WA’s Alex Forrest who added: “The type of used car you buy could literally save your life or someone else’s.”
The NSW crash lab recently smashed a one-star 2012 Suzuki Jimny and a five-star 2010 Volkswagen head-on to show just what the difference is. Watch the video above for the results.
Last year ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) showed the horrific aftermath of a head-on collision between a 2015 Toyota Corolla and a 1998 model. The crash showed the driver of the older car would likely not survive, even though the test was done at 64km/h.
The test showed the benefits of going for a newer used car over cheaper options.
At the time ANCAP chief James Goodwin said: “Often people say the older car is safer and stronger. It is quite clear that is not the case.
“Importantly, this campaign also establishes the call to improve the affordability of newer, safer vehicles and encourage fleet renewal.”
Spalding also highlighted that many young and inexperienced drivers bought older used cars. He says the average young driver typically spends about $6000 and the average age of their vehicle is about 11 years.
“It’s concerning our youngest drivers, with the least amount of on-road experience, are getting around in some of the oldest cars — with some only rated one or two stars for safety,” says Spalding.
“It’s important first time drivers and their parents consider the safety star ratings, which indicate how well each vehicle protects the driver, occupants and other road users in a crash.”
The safety ratings, calculated by Monash University’s Accident Research Centre, are based on police-reported crashes in Australia and New Zealand. The research looked at vehicles built between 1998 and 2017.
Some of the country’s most popular used cars received poor ratings, including the 2002-07 Toyota Corolla (one star) and Corollas from 2007-17 (two star).
Other favourites of young drivers are used Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons.
The 2002-08 Falcon (three stars) and 2008-16 versions (four stars) fared better than Commodores from 2002-07 (two stars) and 2006-13 (three stars).
Small cars are also popular choices with young drivers and only five vehicles received full marks: 2004-13 Audi A3, 2013-17 Mazda3, 2012-17 Nissan Pulsar, 2009-16 Toyota Prius and 2013-17 VW Golf.
Just one city car made the grade, the 2009-13 Honda City. Out of 32 light cars analysed, there were 19 with one star, making this the unsafest segment.
SUVs were standout performers with lots of models receiving five or four stars. Late model versions of popular models, such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester, performed particularly well.
In the ute segment, late model Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50, Holden Colorado, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara and VW Amarok all performed well but none were highly recommended in the guide. The Toyota HiLux — Australia’s best selling new vehicle for the past few years — couldn’t manage more than three stars.
Originally published as Australia’s safest and most dangerous used cars revealed
Why sales of new Toyota have skyrocketed
Fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first Toyota-bred performance car in 20 years, but there is a catch.
Nearly 130,000 Takata death traps still on Aussie roads
Seven leading car makers are bracing for a huge Australian legal battle over the Takata airbag scandal, as lawyers representing owners make explosive new claims.