NZTA updates vehicle ratings
Updated safety ratings for used vehicles in New Zealand are now available online at Rightcar.govt.nz.
The revamped system also includes a new crash-avoidance features rating to help Kiwis find safer vehicles.
The 2024 used-car safety ratings released by the NZTA apply to most cars, SUVs, utes and other light vehicles on our roads.
With a scale of one to five stars, they provide the best indication of the level of protection different used vehicles provide Kiwis.
“Anyone can make a mistake on the roads, and when this happens your choice of vehicle can play a key major role in keeping you and others safe,” says Todd Wylie, pictured, the agency’s principal adviser for safe vehicles.
He urges everyone to visit Rightcar to check the latest safety and environmental ratings of their current vehicles and any they are interested in buying.
“There is always significant variation in safety between makes and models, and our analysis shows there are high star-safety rated vehicles in most categories and price ranges.”
Based on the latest independent analysis of real-world crash data and factoring in the crash-avoidance rating, around one million used vehicles’ overall ratings have changed compared to 2023. This includes some newer models that have transitioned from ANCAP ratings, which apply for up to six years.
The crash-avoidance rating, which contributes to overall stars, considers the reduced risk of accidents due to cars having key features to help prevent collisions or reduce their severity.
This rating is calculated based on the availability of electronic stability control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, roll stability control, daytime running lights and reversing cameras or sensors.
Wylie notes analysis of crash and injury data from New Zealand and Australia highlights the improvements in safety over the past 30 years. This has primarily been in reducing the risk of death or serious injury to drivers compared to only a slight improvement in protection for people outside vehicles.
He says: “Based on the latest analysis, medium and small SUVs have more models rated with five stars for overall safety compared to small and medium cars, partly reflecting the majority of these vehicles are newer so have more features and safety-focused design.
“At the other end of spectrum, commercial utes and people movers perform relatively poorly in driver protection and protection for people outside, such as other drivers or those walking, cycling or on a motorcycle.”
Wylie also highlights another change introduced this year and that’s the inclusion of air-pollution ratings in the “great choice” criteria on Rightcar. To qualify, new and used vehicles now need high overall safety, carbon emissions and air-pollution ratings.
