How safe is your car? | Herald Sun

[uranium_death]

Read this in the morning.

Originally Posted by Herald Sun

How safe is your car?

DON'T believe everything the used car salesman says - your choice of second-hand car could mean the difference between life and death.

Research shows a significant gap between the best and worst performing second-hand vehicles on Australian roads.

The 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings report shows car occupants are 26 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in the worst rated car -- the Daihatsu Hi-Jet (1982-1990) -- compared to the best, the Volkswagen Passat (1998-2005).

And the statistics show 48 of the 279 vehicles rated -- about one in six of our most popular used cars -- are potentially death traps, scoring "much worse than average".

Cars were rated on the likelihood of occupant death or serious injury in the event of a crash.

A separate ratings category measured the chance of death or serious injury to other drivers and road users involved in the crash.

The Volkswagen Golf and Bora models from 1999 to 2004 scored above average in both categories. The Mitsubishi Cordia (1983-87) scored below average.

To produce the ratings, experts analysed more than 2.8 million vehicles involved in crashes in Australia and New Zealand from 1987 to 2005.

Stuart Newstead, senior research fellow at the Monash University Accident Research Centre, said it was not necessarily the more expensive cars that fared better.

"We are seeing a number of small cars, which are $10,000 or under, performing very well in terms of both their occupant protection and their collision partner protection," Dr Newstead said, particularly praising the Holden Astra and Toyota Corolla.

He said the belief that "old and strong is safe" was a myth.

The results showed people should "start thinking very carefully" before driving cars made in the late 1980s, with many performing well below average, he said.

However he avoided calling for these cars to be deregistered, saying that was a matter for politicians to decide.

Michael Case, RACV chief engineer (vehicles), said about seven used cars were sold for every new car.

"A lot of people, when they look to purchase a car, are influenced by a wide range of things. They look at the price of the vehicle . . . a lot of people are influenced by comfort and convenience items because they're the things they are going to see and experience on a day-to-day basis," Mr Case said. "But what happens when the vehicle is involved in a crash? You can't see how the vehicle is going to perform when you are in the showroom or the used car yard."

Australasian New Car Assessment Program chairman Ross McArthur agreed and urged potential used car buyers to look at the ratings. He said the survey was one of the largest in the world.

"Used car salesmen tell you what they tell you, what you need to do is be is informed," Mr McArthur said.

"If you are informed, you are in a much better position to make a good selection."

David Healy, senior manager of road safety at the TAC, said safer second hand cars could make a "huge difference" to the road toll.

Click here for findings in safety

Food for thought.

I took interest because we had an XF and the picture of an XF in the paper showed a nicely smashed door. Glad we didn't have any side impact.