Updated safety ratings for used vehicles in New Zealand are now available on Rightcar.govt.nz, with a new crash avoidance features rating included this year to help Kiwis find safer vehicles.

The 2024 used car safety ratings released by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi apply to most cars, SUVs, utes and other light vehicles on our roads.

With a scale of one to five stars, the ratings provide the best indication of the level of protection different used vehicles give people on our roads.

“Anyone can make a mistake on the roads – and when this happens your choice of vehicle can play a key major role in keeping you and others safe,” explained NZTA safe vehicles principal adviser Todd Wylie.

Wylie urged everyone to visit Rightcar to check the latest safety and environmental ratings of their current vehicles and any they were interested in.

“There is always significant variation in safety between makes and models of vehicles available, and our analysis shows there are high star-safety rated vehicles in most categories and price ranges.”

Based on the latest independent analysis of real-world crash data and factoring in the new crash avoidance features rating, around 1 million used vehicles’ overall safety ratings have changed compared to 2023. This includes some newer vehicles which have transitioned from an Ancap (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) rating, which applies for up to six years.

The new crash avoidance features rating – which contributes to used vehicles’ overall safety rating - considers the reduced risk of crashing due to a vehicle having key features that help prevent crashes or reduce their severity.

The crash avoidance rating is calculated based on the availability of the following features:

- electronic stability control

- automatic emergency braking

- lane keep assist

- roll stability control

- daytime running lights; and

- reversing cameras/sensors.

Wylie notes analysis of crash and injury data from New Zealand and Australia highlights the improvements in vehicle safety over the past 30 years.

This has primarily been in reducing the risk of death or serious injury to vehicle drivers, compared to only a slight improvement in protection for people outside the vehicle.

“Based on the latest analysis, medium and small SUVs have more models rated five-stars for overall safety compared to small and medium cars, partly reflecting the majority of these vehicles are newer – so have more safety features and safety-focused design.

“At the other end of the vehicle safety spectrum, however, commercial utes and people movers perform relatively poorly in both driver protection and protection for people outside the vehicle -such as other drivers or people walking, cycling or on a motorcycle.”

Wylie also highlights another change introduced this year - the inclusion of air pollution ratings in the “Great choice!” criteria on Rightcar.

To qualify, new and used vehicles now need high overall safety, carbon emission and air pollution ratings.

Road safety is one of the Government’s key priorities, which NZTA is delivering on – including through our work on safer roads, safer vehicles and safer drivers.

Everyone can play their part, including by prioritising safety when choosing a vehicle, doing regular basic safety checks and driving safely.

More information is available at https://www.rightcar.govt.nz/