27 June 2006
Used car buyers can check how well their vehicle is likely to perform in a crash with the release of the 2006 Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR) today.
Motorists are urged to buy a car in the top-rating category in the class they require -- be it small, family, light commercial or four-wheel drive.
The UCSR, the world's largest study of vehicle crashes, is conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre and supported by the RACV, the TAC, and VicRoads, as well as other state and federal road authorities and motoring clubs from Australia and New Zealand.
The informative guide contains easily understood information on what should be the most important variable when buying a used vehicle -- safety. Motorists can check the rating of their current car, as well as the rating of any vehicles they are considering buying.
The 2006 results assessed the performance of 305 vehicle models in more than 1.7 million crashes in Australia and New Zealand from 1987 to 2004.
The two criteria used to rate vehicle models were crashworthiness (how much protection the vehicle provides the driver in a crash) and aggressivity (how badly the vehicle is likely to harm other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, in a crash).
The study showed significant differences in crash performance between vehicles within the same class.
And for first time in the study's 15-year history, a 'standout' car was identified, with the Subaru Forester (1997-2002) rating as a top performer in both dimensions, said project leader, Dr Stuart Newstead, from Monash University.
"This car is a standout performer -- it shows you can have off-road capability with excellent occupant protection and low aggressivity," Dr Newstead said.
Driver protection (Crashworthiness)
Dr Newstead said the UCSR showed the average level of driver protection resulted in 3.8 serious injuries and fatalities per 100 crashes. He said that of the 305 vehicle models assessed, 87 provided an above average level of driver protection and 72 provided a below average level of driver protection in a crash.
"Of the 22 large cars rated, 14 scored above average and only two scored below average," he said.
"Luxury cars showed similarly good occupant protection performance.
"In contrast, no light cars had crashworthiness better than average and of 37 light cars more than half scored in the worst possible rating. Buyers need to think very carefully about a purchase in this class, especially young drivers who have a high crash risk and older drivers who are more susceptible to injury."
All other classes showed a mixture from very good to very poor performance. Many of the vehicles that achieved better driver protection were later models, highlighting the benefits of applying modern technology to airbags, vehicle structure and seatbelts.
Harm to other road users (Aggressivity)
Of the 305 vehicle models included in the survey, 284 were also assessed for aggressivity. The average vehicle aggressivity rating resulted in 3.9 serious injuries to other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, per 100 crashes.
Of the vehicle models assessed, 74 rated above average, while 56 rated worse than average.
All but one of the medium, small or light vehicles that were rated had average aggressivity or better, while all but one of the large 4WD vehicles were rated in the worst possible aggressivity category.
The latter result in particular shows large 4WD vehicles, whilst boasting generally good crashworthiness, put other road users at disproportionately high risk. In contrast, many luxury cars provide similar or better occupant protection to a large 4WD but without being aggressive.
RACV Chief Engineer (Vehicles) Mr Michael Case
said the study results sent a clear message to motorists looking to buy a used car.
"If everyone was driving vehicles in the category providing the highest level of driver protection in a crash, a dramatic reduction in the road toll is likely," Mr Case said.
TAC General Manager Road Safety, David Healy reiterated the importance of vehicle safety. "While the best protection against injury is to drive safely and encourage other road users to drive safely - the safer your car, the better off you'll be when the unexpected happens," he said.
"In fact, according to the European Transport Safety Council, if everyone drove the safest car in its class, the road toll could be halved overnight.
"We would certainly encourage people buying a used car to consider choosing one of the best-rated models," said Mr Healy.
The UCSR study was first undertaken in Australia by the Monash University Accident Research Centre in 1990 and has grown to be the largest of its type in the world. Ratings incorporating New Zealand crash data were produced for the first time in 2004.
The full technical report can be downloaded as a PDF from the MUARC website and a brochure summarising the results is available from RACV branches and VicRoads.
2006 USED CAR SAFETY RATINGS: Better than average crashworthiness and aggressivity
- Subaru Forester 97-02
- Holden Astra TS 98-04
- Toyota Corolla 98-01
- Ford Telstar/Mazda 626 92-97
- Nissan Bluebird 93-97
- Mercedes C Class 95-00
- Honda Accord 91-93
2006 USED CAR SAFETY RATINGS: Worse than average crashworthiness and aggressivity
- Daihatsu Rocky/Rugger 95-98
- Holden WB Series utility 82-85
- Toyota Hiace/Liteace 82-86 and 87-89
- Mitsubishi Cordia 83-87
- Mitsubishi Starwagon 83-86 and 87-93
- Toyota Supra 82-90
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact Ms Allison Harding, MUARC, on +61 3 9905 1255 or 0419 302 520.
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