VEHICLE SAFETY RATING

Before buying any vehicle, check its star safety rating.

Most New Zealand new vehicles are given a star safety rating between one and five (five being the highest). This is the ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) rating. They are based on data from tests performed in a crash lab. However used car safety ratings (UCSR) are based on dated from real world crashes.

The stars indicate the level of safety for occupants and pedestrians in a crash, as well as an indication of a car’s ability to avoid a crash altogether through technology fitted. Vehicles must achieve minimum scores across all aspects.

Newer or pricey doesn’t necessarily mean safer. There are 5 star rated cars of all sizes, years and costs. So you need to do your homework and check the star rating of any car you’re looking at, either on the vehicle listing or the RightCar website www.rightcar.govt.nz

People are at least 90% more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a 1-star than a 5-star safety rating vehicle. That’s why it’s important to get a car with the best safety rating that you can afford.

When shopping for a used car your list to review should be:
Safety
Reliability
Popularity
Fuel economy
Price

Plus give some thought to hybrid or electric vehicles as well.

At the least ensure it has front airbags and ABS braking and if the budget can stretch look for side curtain airbags and electronic stability control.
The newer you go the more features you are likely to get. – knee airbags, electronic stability control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning & autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

We want our customers to make informed decisions so hope this helps. Happy and safe motoring from the team at Balmoral Auto Repairs.