Media statement | 24 July 2007

Used car crash ratings show small can be safe

Thinking about trading in your gas-guzzling old 4WD or large car for something smaller and cheaper to run, but don’t want to compromise on safety? If so, check out the 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings, released today by Land Transport NZ and the AA.

The ratings assess the relative safety of 289 popular used vehicles, ranging from light cars to large 4WDs and vans.

The 2007 ratings are based on the latest information from the world’s largest database of real-life vehicle crashes, measuring the relative safety performance of used cars based on over two million actual crashes on New Zealand and Australian roads from 1987 to 2005. The crash data has been analysed by Monash University’s Accident Research Centre, and safety ratings have been calculated for 289 common makes and model.

Land Transport NZ Vehicles Manager Don Hutchinson says because the results are based on actual crashes, the ratings can be used to compare relative safety across different classes of vehicles.

“That means the small cars with better than average results in these ratings have outperformed the large cars and 4WDs with average or below average ratings, in terms of driver protection in real crashes. Using these results as a guide, a driver can choose a smaller car over a larger vehicle without losing out on safety.” 

Stella Stocks, General Manager of AA Technical Services, says safety should be high on the priority list for every vehicle purchase.

“Used car buyers have a lot of choice, and these ratings show there are significant differences in crash performance between vehicles. Choosing a safer used car can literally mean the difference between life and death in a crash.”

Of the 289 models assessed for driver protection, 86 vehicles were rated ‘better than average’, with 35 of these  ‘significantly better than average’, while 77 were rated ‘worse than average’, with 48 of these  ‘significantly worse than average’.

The ratings indicate that a driver is 26 times more likely to be killed or injured in a crash in the worst-rated vehicle than in the best-rated vehicle.

A key finding in the area of driver protection assessment is that many of the better performing vehicles are newer models, showing the benefits of modern safety technology such as airbags, side intrusion beams, seatbelt pre-tensioners and crumple zones.

The majority of the worst performing vehicles were pre-1990 models, demonstrating the gains made in occupant protection in newer vehicles. Many recent model European mid-size vehicles also received above average ratings. This suggests European cars are leading the way in safety design and specification of safety features.

Of the 289 vehicles surveyed, 260 were also rated on the amount of potential harm to other road users in the event of a crash, including other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, with 73 rated above average and 46 rated worse than average.

A number of vehicle models now score better than average on both occupant protection and protection for other road users including:

• VW Golf/Bora 99-04
• Holden Astra 98-05
• Toyota Corolla 98-01
• Honda Accord 91-93
• Mercedes C Class 95-00
• Peugeot 405 89-97
• Subaru Liberty 89-93
• Toyota Cressida 89-93
• Subaru Forester 97-02,

On the flipside, the ratings for some models are worse than average on both counts including:

• Mitsubishi Cordia 83-87
• Ford Falcon 82-88
• Mitsubishi Starwagon/L300 83-86 & 87-93
• Toyota Tarago 83-89
• Toyota Hiace/Liteace 82-86, 87-89, 90-95

Copies of the 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings booklet are available free at AA Centres nationwide from Tuesday. Booklets can also be ordered from any Land Transport office or by ringing 0800 699 000. Full results are also available on www.landtransport.govt.nz and www.aa.co.nz.

For more information:

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
Land Transport NZ
(04) 931-8829 or 0212 763 222