The guide rates 296 vehicles manufactured between 1996 and 2016. It identifies many of the safest vehicles under $10,000.
Vehicles are awarded a star rating of one to five, with five being the safest.
Vehicles with a five star rating for safety include:
| Type | Make | Model | Years | Price guide |
| Large car | Holden | Statesman/Caprice WM/WN | 2006 – 2016 | $4,000 |
| Large car | Ford | Falcon FG/FG-X | 2008 – 2016 | $5,900 |
| Medium car | Toyota | Camry | 2011 – 2016 | $9,400 |
| Medium car | Ford | Mondeo | 2007 – 2015 | $2,500 |
| Medium car | Subaru | Liberty/Legacy/Outback | 2009 – 2014 | $6,800 |
| Small car | Audi | A3 | 2004 – 2013 | $3,100 |
| Small car | BMW | 1 Series E81/E82/E87/E88 | 2004 – 2013 | $3,700 |
| Small car | Volkswagen | Golf VII | 2013– 2016 | $9,600 |
| Large SUV | Mazda | CX-9 | 2007 – 2015 | $9,600 |
| Large SUV | Mitsubishi | Pajero NT, NS, NW, NX | 2007 – 2016 | $9,200 |
| Large SUV | Nissan | Pathfinder R51 | 2005 – 2013 | $8,000 |
| Medium SUV | Mazda | CX-7 | 2006 – 2012 | $6,100 |
| Medium SUV | Mitsubishi | Outlander/Peugeot 4007 | 2006 – 2012 | $4,800 |
| Medium SUV | Toyota | Kluger/Highlander | 2007 – 2013 | $8,200 |
| Small SUV | Volkswagen | Tiguan | 2008 – 2016 | $6,800 |
| People Mover | Honda | Odyssey | 2004 – 2009 | $4,100 |
| People Mover | Kia | Carnival | 2006 – 2011 | $5,500 |
| Commercial Van | Hyundai | iLoad | 2008 – 2016 | $8,800 |
| Commercial Van | Volkswagen | Transporter | 2004 – 2015 | $5,200 |
| Commercial Van | Ford | Transit | 2001 – 2007 | $3,200 |
| Commercial Ute | Ford | Ranger/Mazda BT50 | 2011 – 2015 | $7,300 |
| Commercial Ute | Holden | Colorado RC | 2008 – 2011 | $3,200 |
| Commercial Ute | Ford | Falcon Ute FG/FG-X | 2008 – 2016 | $5,200 |
Prices reflect vehicles listed on Redbook online and the age, condition and model.
A driver of the worst-rated vehicle is 10 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than a driver in the safest. Recent data shows 40 per cent of those killed were in cars 15 years or older while 15 per cent were in cars less than five years old.
Vehicles with a one star rating for safety include:
- Hyundai Accent (years 2000 – 2006)
- Holden Cruze (years 2002 – 2006)
- Ford Fiesta WD (years 2004 – 2008).
These ratings were produced by Monash University Accident Research Centre in partnership with the NSW Centre for Road Safety, the NRMA and other members of the Vehicle Safety Research Group. They analysed records from more than 8 million vehicles involved in road crashes and 2 million injured road users in Australia and New Zealand between 1987 and 2016.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said driving a car with a poor rating is not worth the safety risk.
“In one of our tests, the driver of the 5 star rated Mazda Ute would have walked away unhurt. The driver of the 2 star rated Toyota would probably have received severe head and brain injuries or even been killed,” Ms Pavey said.
Find out more about used car safety ratings.
