Find the safest car for under $10k
Safety is a key concern when looking to purchase a used vehicle with a cheaper price point. Selecting the good from the bad, however, has become easier with the release of Used Car Safety Ratings, which surface vehicles with a five star safety rating under $10,000.
The NRMA partnered with Monash University’s Accident Research Centre, the NSW Centre for Road Safety, and other members of the Vehicle Safety Research Group to produce the ratings.
Analysing records from more than 8 million vehicles involved in road crashes and 2 million injured road users in Australia and New Zealand, the research found that a driver of the worst vehicle rated in the list is 10 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than a driver in the safest.
“Australia has an older fleet which means there are plenty of second-hand cars on the market and on our roads,” said NRMA CEO Rohan Lund. “This year’s ratings demonstrate that some of the safest and coolest cars on the road are also some of the most affordable.”
The thorough investigation features ratings from 296 vehicles manufactured from 1996 to 2016. For those in the market for something older and affordable, the results show that safety doesn’t have to be compromised if the buyer knows what models to look for.
“The message to young drivers buying their first car, tradies looking for a good bargain on a second-hand ute or older drivers looking to downsize is simple – buy five-star,” Lund said.
“The chances of surviving a crash in a used car with a five star rating is so great that it makes the decision easy for anyone looking to buy a vehicle.”
The safest models
Prices reflect five star rated vehicles listed on Redbook online and reflects the age and condition of the vehicle, and the variant of the model.
Large cars
Holden Statesman/Caprice WM/WN – year of manufacture 06-16 – sell for as low as $4,000 (safer pick)
Ford Falcon FG/FG-X – year of manufacture 08-16 – sell for as low as $5,900
Medium cars
Toyota Camry – year of manufacture 11-16 – sell for as low as - $9,400
Ford Mondeo – year of manufacture 07-15 – sell for as low as - $2,500
Subaru Liberty/Legacy/Outback – year of manufacture 09-14 – sell for as low as $6,800
Small cars
Audi A3 – year of manufacture 04-13 – sell for as low as - $3,100
BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87/E88 – year of manufacture 04-13 – sell for as low as - $3,700
Volkswagen Golf VII – year of manufacture 13-16 – sell for as low as $9,600
Large SUV
Mazda CX-9 – year of manufacture 07-15 – sell for as low as $9,600 (safer pick)
Mitsubishi Pajero NT,NS,NW,NX – year of manufacture 07-16 – sell for as low as $9,200 (safer pick)
Nissan Pathfinder R51 – year of manufacture 05-13– sell for as low as $8,000 (safer pick)
Medium SUV
Mazda CX-7 – year of manufacture 06-12 – sell for as low as $6,100 (safer pick)
Mitsubishi Outlander/Peugeot 4007 – year of manufacture 06-12 – sell for as low as $4,800 (safer pick)
Toyota Kluger/Highlander – year of manufacture 07-13 – sell for as low as $8,200 (safer pick)
Small SUV
Vokswagen Tiguan – year of manufacture 08-16 – sell for as low as $6,800 (safer pick)
People mover
Honda Odyssey – year of manufacture 04-09 – sell for as low as $4,100
Kia Carnival – year of manufacture 06-11 – sell for as low as $5,500
Commercial vans
Hyundai iLoad – year of manufacture 08-16 - sell for as low as $8800 (safer pick)
Volkswagen Transporter – year of manufacture 04-15 - sell for as low as $5200
Ford Transit – year of manufacture 01-07 – sell for as low as $3200
Commercial ute
Ford Ranger/Mazda BT50 – year of manufacture 11-15 – sell for as low as $7,300
Holden Colorado RC – year of manufacture 08-11 – sell for as low as $3,200
Ford Falcon Ute FG/FG-X – year of manufacture 08-16 – sell for as low as $5,200.
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