Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has released its annual used car safety ratings to make purchasing a safe second-hand car easier.
Outgoing Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance said the Used Car Safety Ratings 2021 Guide gave drivers easily accessible safety ratings for more than 200 vehicles manufactured in the past 20 years.
“Three out of every four vehicles purchased in Australia are second hand and we’ve seen their popularity increase during the pandemic,” Mr Constance said.
“That’s why this safety Guide is so important,” he said.
“It gives drivers ratings for 276 vehicles so they can consider which option is safest in their price range.”
Mr Constance said the safety ratings were available across all vehicle categories, from light cars through to commercial vans.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole highlighted the importance of the Guide for regional drivers who typically travelled longer distances at higher speeds in more challenging environments.
“Driving on country roads means facing unexpected challenges, including wildlife, natural hazards and changing weather, so it’s important that they know how safe a vehicle is before they trust it to keep them and their family safe,” Mr Toole said.
“We know that 80 per cent of regional drivers have an older second-hand vehicle, so they’ll also be able to compare the safety of their current vehicle and assess whether it’s time to make a change to a higher rated one,” he said.
Mr Toole said TfNSW had also released vision that showed the difference between a vehicle with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and one without, in a sudden swerve.
“Vehicles fitted with ESC are involved in 32 per cent fewer single-vehicle crashes and 58 per cent fewer roll-over crashes that result in driver injury,” he said.
The Minister said the Guide was developed by the Monash University Accident Research Centre on behalf of TfNSW.
The 15-page Used Car Safety Ratings 2021 Guide can be accessed at this PS News link.
