Updated safety ratings for most cars and other light vehicles in New Zealand have been published on the Rightcar website to help Kiwis make safer choices when purchasing vehicles. 

The updated 1- to 5-star safety ratings, which indicate how much protection a vehicle provides people in a crash, apply to the vast majority of used cars, SUVs, utes and other light vehicles on our roads.    

Based on the latest independent analysis of real-world crash data from New Zealand and Australia, the safety ratings of around 900,000 light vehicles in the New Zealand fleet have changed compared to their 2022 star-safety ratings.  

“No one expects to crash, but everyone makes mistakes – and when this happens safe vehicles play a major role in preventing deaths and serious injuries,” says NZ Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi Senior Manager Road Safety Fabian Marsh.  

“Many people are unaware that the safety of different vehicles – both used and new – can vary greatly, or that in a crash they are twice as safe in a 5-star safety rated car than in 1- star safety rated car.   

“So, as we look ahead to Christmas and summer holiday journeys, we urge Kiwis to visit Rightcar – to check the latest safety rating of vehicles they own or are thinking of buying,” says Fabian. 

Vehicle safety ratings – quick facts

• People are twice as safe in a 5-star safety rated car than in a 1-star safety rated car in a crash. 
• Vehicles with 1 or 2- star safety ratings make up around 40% of the light vehicle fleet in New Zealand, but are over-represented in crashes involving deaths and serious injuries on our roads.  
• Previous analysis has shown high safety rated vehicles are available in most categories and price brackets.  
• The Rightcar website also includes information about vehicles’ crash avoidance features, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping systems, which can help people to avoid crashing. NZ Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi recommends people check the crash avoidance features a vehicle has, along with its safety rating.  

Crash test/safety rating videos

• • 5-star vs 1-star car crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vRR-U3DOnA
  • How safety ratings change over time: https://youtu.be/i1ByBYf4Bdc