Dealers urged to check ratings

Updated vehicle-safety ratings are now available on the Rightcar website along with information about crash-avoidance features in used imports – previously only available for New Zealand-new models.

The 2022 safety ratings for used light vehicles in Aotearoa are now available online at www.rightcar.govt.nz, which is run by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to help people find the safest, cleanest and most efficient vehicles they can afford.

Information about crash-avoidance features in used-imported vehicles on the website has been sourced from manufacturers by the agency.

Waka Kotahi says with research showing people are increasingly placing more importance on safety and environmental impact during their vehicle-buying decisions, they can set themselves “up for success” by:

• Checking out the dealer resources on Rightcar to get all the information needed.

• Printing and displaying current vehicle safety-rating labels. These can used as a point of difference and a sales tool by dealers selling higher-rated vehicles.

“We all have a role to play in achieving the vision of a New Zealand where no one is killed or seriously injured in crashes on our roads,” says Waka Kotahi. “Motor-vehicle traders can help by encouraging safer choices.” It adds points to remember include:

• People are twice as safe in a five-star rated vehicle than in a one or two-star vehicle.

• The ratings for used vehicles change over time, so it’s important to check Rightcar for the latest information.

• The primary measure is now overall safety. This considers all people involved in a crash including those in other vehicles and people walking or cycling.

• Crash-avoidance features help prevent collisions from occurring at all, so they are important to consider alongside safety ratings.

• Rightcar is the go-to for the latest safety information – plus carbon-dioxide emissions, fuel efficiency and air-pollution ratings. The latter will be updated in 2023 with recalculated data based on the new Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand report.

• To be eligible for a clean car discount, a NZ-new vehicle must have a safety rating of three stars or more on the Rightcar website at the time of registration. This is based on the 2022 safety ratings – six model generations are no longer eligible, but 10 are now eligible.

If you have a query about safety ratings published on Rightcar, or would like to order copies of a brochure to display on-site, email safevehicles@nzta.govt.nz