Used cars guide to help buyers make a safe choice
26 July 2011
Motorists could be unnecessarily putting their lives at risk when they purchase a used vehicle according to the RAC’s latest Used Car Safety Ratings.
The annual guide is based on real crash data and rates the cars in terms of the amount of protection they provide the driver and passengers. It serves as a valuable consumer safety guide when buying a used car and highlights just how dangerous some older cars can be.
“Used cars can be safe and you don’t have to pay a lot of money to get a safe one, you just need to know what you’re looking for,” RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said.
“Safety should be top of mind for anyone buying a car, new or old, and this guide will help consumers to make an informed decision.”
Basic safety features to look for when buying a car include ABS, airbags and ESC.
According to the RAC young people often end up with a cheap used car that doesn’t offer them any protection should they be involved in a crash.
“Many people buy used cars for their son or daughter when they start to drive. The first six months that a new driver is out on the road by themselves will be the most dangerous time of their entire driving career,” Mr Brown said.
“Young drivers need to be driving cars that have the technology to help them avoid accidents or to protect them if they are involved in a crash.
“It comes down to a choice between the dollar value of the car and the value you place on the life of the person you are putting in that car.”
Mr Brown said car buyers need to recognise the importance of safer vehicles if Western Australia is going to improve its road safety record.
“The RAC wants to see safer drivers, in safer cars on safer roads. Manufacturers are working to make new cars safer but for used cars, in part, it comes down to the buyers and what they are prepared to put their money towards,” he said.
Independent Chairman of the Road Safety Council, D’Arcy Holman supports the new Used Car Safety Ratings guide.
“The Road Safety Council strongly encourages the purchase of a vehicle with a high safety rating whether it is new or second hand,” Professor Holman said.
“Improvements to the in-vehicle crash protection such as front and side air bags, safety features and crash avoidance technology such as ESC have been proven to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
“The common myth that safe cars are more expensive is being proved wrong more and more. Safer cars need not be the most expensive; in fact it is evident that even some of the more affordable second hand cars are safer than some newer models on the market.”
The 2011 Used Car Safety Ratings guide contains information on more than 180 vehicles.
The full guide is available at
www.rac.com.au/ucsr Good buys – young people: Under $5,000
Peugeot 307 2001-2009
Price from: $3,800
UCSR: 5 stars
Volkswagen Golf/Bora 1999-2004
Price from: $4,700
UCSR: 5 stars
Volvo S40/V40 1997-2004
Price from: $3,100
UCSR: 5 stars
Ford Focus LR 2002-2005
Price from: $4,300
UCSR: 4 stars
Good family buys (medium/large cars): Under $10,000
Mazda 6 2002-2007
Price from $6,800
UCSR: 5 stars
Honda Accord 2003-2007
Price from $8,800
UCSR: 5 stars
Subaru Liberty/Legacy/Outback 2003-2009
Price from $7,300
UCSR: 5 stars
Toyota Camry 2006-2009
Price from $9,200
UCSR: 5 stars
Mitsubishi Magna TL 2003-2005
Price from $4,100
UCSR: 5 stars
Cars to avoid
Mitsubishi Lancer/Mirage CE 1996-2003
Price up to: $6,600
UCSR: 1 star
Hyundai Accent 2000-2006
Price up to: $10,000
UCSR: 1 star
Toyota Corolla 2002-2007
Price up to: $15,500
UCSR: 2 stars
Honda Prelude 1992-1996
Price up to $6,900
UCSR: 2 stars
Hyundai Sonata 1989-1997
Price up to $2,300
UCSR: 2 stars
Download the release (pdf)