BUYING ADVICE
Getting ready to buy a car? Here are quick tips and mythbusters to help you choose the safest one!
Choose a car with safety in mind
Newer vehicles provide increased protection in a crash and include a range of active and passive safety features and technologies which can protect and help avoid a crash.
In many used vehicles, these safety features are optional or available only in some variants, so it is important to check the availability of these features in the specific vehicle you’re looking to purchase. It makes sense to choose a vehicle that has the best Overall Safety star rating and as many safety features as possible to help reduce your risk of being killed or seriously injured or avoid a crash in the first place.
Here are some of the key vehicle safety features you should look for when purchasing a used vehicle:
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
- Blind spot monitoring
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) including pedestrian and cyclist
- Airbags – front, side, curtain and knee
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Reversing sensors and/or cameras
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Daytime running lights
Tips for buying a car
1. Make sure it drives right
Don’t get carried away just because it looks good. Always take the car for a test drive to ensure everything works as it should. Pay attention to how it steers, brakes, and handles bumps. Test the reversing and ease of parking, check the cooling and heating systems, try tight turns to assess the turning circle, and make sure all lights are working properly. Use our safety checklist to help with your inspection.
2. Get it checked by an expert
Get an independent inspection report from a qualified mechanic or RACQ.
Think twice if:
- You’re not satisfied with its condition
- Agreed repairs haven’t been carried out
- The car has been modified from original without certification
3. Check the vehicle history
Check it’s not stolen or written off. Make sure there’s no money owing on it. Search the Personal Property Securities Register to find out. It costs less than $5.
4. Keep all your paperwork
It could get you out of trouble later on.
Keep:
- Any document you’ve signed
- Any contract
- Warranty documents
- Safety certificate
Make sure you check that the safety certificate is valid and that all the vehicle details are correct too.
Private or dealer?
You may have more consumer protection when buying from a licensed motor dealer compared to a private seller. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option before making your decision.
Keep your car in top shape
Regular servicing can help your car to stay safe. Everybody should have at least a basic understanding of vehicle maintenance.
Mythbusting
We all have our own ideas when it comes to buying a car — reasons why we favour one over another. But often these beliefs can be based more on opinion than fact.
Many people think vehicle safety and key safety features attract a premium and that safer vehicles aren't cheap. This is a myth. Four and five star Used Car Safety Rated cars can be found for less than $5000. These would be older models that have the recommended safety features.
Go for a newer model whenever possible. The majority of new cars sold in recent years have a 4- or 5-star rating, compared to the minority that were made in the early 2000's. The average risk to the driver of being killed or seriously injured in a crash in a vehicle manufactured in 2022 is 36% less than in a vehicle manufactured in 2002. If you do need to get an older model, make sure it is fitted with important safety features like electronic stability control and curtain side-airbags.
When it comes to car colour, beauty is more than just skin-deep. You may think black looks cool, but white could save your life. Lighter colours improve the visibility of your car to other road users.
4WD vehicles may appear strong and indestructible. But because of their relatively higher centre of gravity, they handle differently and are more likely to be involved in rollover type crashes. If you are keen on a 4WD, weigh up all the safety features like electronic stability control and curtain side-airbags.