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Second-Hand Cars: Choose Carefully


Second-Hand Cars: Choose Carefully

Author: NRMA Motoring & ServicesDate: 13 August 2009

An NRMA Motoring & Services and NSW Roads and Traffic Authority study of crashes over a nine year period has revealed that death or serious injury is five times more likely in some second-hand vehicles.

NRMA motoring expert Jack Haley said there was five times the risk of death or serious injury between the best rated cars (2004-07 VW Golf and 1999-2003 Mitsubishi Nimbus) and the worst (1982-2000 Suzuki Carry and 1985-2000 Suzuki Alto).

"Small and light cars were particularly problematic with 13 out of 19 in the worst category," Mr Haley said.

"Commercial vans and utes also received low ratings due to the high injury risk they posed to both their own occupants and other road users when they collided."

The study, conducted at Monash University Accident Research Centre, used data from more than 3.6 million vehicles and 740,000 injured road users involved in crashes from 1987-2006 that were reported to police in Australia and New Zealand.

The ratings cover 239 popular passenger and light commercial vehicles that are up to 17 years old.

NSW Centre for Road Safety Director Dr Soames Job said the ratings reflected the overall impact of these models on road safety which is why the NRMA and RTA helped fund the study and would be making the results available on their respective websites.

"The comprehensive ratings included a score for driver protection and the vehicle’s crash impact on other road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians," Dr Job said.

"Pre-1995 models dominated the worst performers showing the gains that have been made in occupant protection performance of newer vehicles due to programs like the ANCAP crash test program.

"More than half (118) vehicles were rated good or excellent while more than one in ten (25) rated excellent."

Dr Job said that while safety should be a primary factor in choosing any vehicle, crashes can happen anywhere and drivers need to be constantly on the lookout.

"The message from the Used Car Safety Ratings report is clear. Safety is affordable. Like any other purchase, the buyer has to do their homework before making a commitment," Dr Job said.

Dr Job's advice to used car buyers is to sort out what type of vehicle you need, then buy the safest vehicle you can afford.

"Make safety your priority. Don't be distracted by looks or luxury, they won't protect you or your loved ones when things go wrong," Dr Job said.

Used Car Safety Ratings can be found by visiting www.mynrma.com.au/ucsr or www.rta.nsw.gov.au.

Contact: Daniel Stanton NRMA 0439 133 092 or RTA 02 8588 5999

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