Checking safety features when buying a new or used vehicle is important for everyone’s safety and protection: you, your passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and people in other vehicles.

To check the safety ratings of any new car that you are considering purchasing, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) gives consumers consistent information on the level of occupant protection provided by vehicles in serious front and side crashes. Visit ANCAP at www.ancap.com.au*.

To check used car safety ratings for passenger vehicles built from 1982, visit www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au*.

A vehicle information check (Vcheck) is also recommended to show if a vehicle is financially encumbered (which could result in the vehicle being legally repossessed), written off or stolen. The Department of Transport and Main Roads has more information on a Vcheck.

It’s also a good idea to check if approvals are required when making any modifications to your vehicle, as some changes may reduce the safety of a vehicle, can be illegal, render insurance ‘invalid’ or put your life at risk. Guidelines, and information on applying for specific modifications approvals, can be found in the Department of Transport and Main Roads' All about modifications to motor vehicles brochure.

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