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Car Match FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about RACV Car Match, including car guides, prices and ratings

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General

RACV Car Match simplifies the car buying experience to help you make a more informed choice when considering your next purchase.

It provides an independent and transparent view of the Australian car market, including individual vehicle ratings and expert reviews in a user-friendly online platform. RACV has been the trusted source of motoring advice for more than 120 years. Our rich history and experience of reviewing vehicles, combined with a sophisticated ratings algorithm, provides an impartial expert evaluation of a vehicle’s features. 

Most vehicles sold in Australia dating back to the year 2010 can be searched, found and compared on RACV Car Match. Due to data availability, not all models may be shown. 

RACV Car Match helps you make an informed choice when buying a car.


While we don’t sell or buy vehicles, we do offer car loans to help you make your next purchase. Visit our buying a car page to find out more.

All images supplied by our providers are indicative only. They may not be an exact likeness to the relevant vehicle on the Australian market.

We’d love to hear your feedback as it helps us improve. Please share your ideas, suggestions and any issues via our RACV enquiry form.


Data and pricing

Our vehicle information is sourced from a range of trusted third-party providers, including Jato Dynamics, Glass’s Information Services, Repco, JAX Tyres & Auto, IMACA, Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), and Australian Motoring Services Pty Ltd. 

All images supplied by our providers are indicative only. They may not be an exact likeness to the relevant vehicle on the Australian market.

Our vehicle ratings are calculated using up-to-date data from trusted third-party providers who source their data from car manufacturers, government agencies and independent organisations. 

This data is then analysed to provide 3 ratings, helping you compare cost efficiency, safety features and eco friendliness.

The estimated driveaway price for new cars is calculated using the manufacturer recommended retail price plus relevant on-road costs. Some manufacturers will advertise an incentivised driveaway offer for vehicles that is inclusive of these relevant costs. 

Where this data has been made available by our third-party data providers, we will show the driveaway offer to allow for a like-for-like price comparison. 

The estimated on-road costs for RACV Car Match are based on Victorian data and may not be relevant for customers in other states. In Victoria, costs may include:  

  • Goods and services tax (GST)  
  • Luxury car tax (LCT)  
  • Stamp duty  
  • Registration cost  
  • Plate fee  
  • Compulsory third-party insurance (CTP)  
  • Estimated dealership delivery cost.  

Driveaway prices do not include optional comprehensive or third-party fire and theft insurance. Additional costs for items such as cab chassis trays are also not included.  

All prices are estimates. They are intended to be used as a guide only and may vary based on individual circumstances. 

The average market value for older model cars is an estimate based on a vehicle’s listed minimum and maximum market value (provided by Glass's Information Services) plus relevant on-road costs.  

The average market value is an estimate only and assumes the car is in average condition, with standard factory-fitted features and equipment only. Where the average market value for a specific vehicle is unavailable, the depreciation rate for similar vehicles and age will be used to calculate an average used-car value for comparison purposes.  

Prices may not be accurate for cars that:   

  • are in considerably better or worse condition than average  
  • have travelled more or less kilometres than average  
  • have non-standard features or equipment added.  

All prices are estimates. They are intended to be used as a guide only and may vary based on individual circumstances. Prices are not reflective of trade-in or insurance market values. 

Estimated running costs

Estimated running costs are an estimate of the indicative costs associated with owning and operating a new or used car using RACV products. 

It’s an estimation tool to help you understand the ongoing costs of owning and running a car beyond the initial price tag. It’s intended as a general guide for information purposes only.

We recommend you do your own research and consider factors relevant to you, such as how often and where you’ll drive, as this will affect how much you pay for petrol and wear and tear.

Calculations are based on various assumptions regarding the expected costs of owning and operating a vehicle over a 5-year period for personal use. We’ve also included the optional costs of RACV Finance, RACV Comprehensive Car Insurance and RACV Extra Care Roadside Assistance.

The actual costs of purchasing and owning a car may vary depend on individual circumstances, and some data may be approximated or estimated when unavailable for a specific vehicle. Running costs are based on a 5-year period and are fixed. They do not factor in potential changes to the costs, including inflation.

The estimated running costs can be viewed monthly or yearly and are grouped in two categories: 
 


Financial costs 

  • RACV loan repayment is based on using an RACV car loan for the full purchase price, over a 5-year loan term. The indicative interest rate used for new cars is 6.99% p.a. (comparison rate 7.69%p.a.+), used cars 8.19% p.a. (comparison rate 8.90% p.a.+) and eligible green car loans 5.49% p.a. (comparison rate 6.18% p.a.+). Fees apply. See important information about the comparison rate.+

Running Costs 

  • RACV Comprehensive Car Insurance is based on an indicative driver profile of a 35-year-old male driver, based in the city of Melbourne, who started driving at 18, has no previous insurance history, drives the vehicle for personal use, has no claims, no finance and a basic excess of $900. The estimate doesn’t include any multi-policy or membership discounts.  

  • Victorian registration is based on the type of vehicle (e.g. SUV, sedan, Ute, etc) being registered for personal car ownership in a ‘metropolitan area’ as defined by VicRoads. No concession or discounts have been applied.

  • Fuel/electricity is based on driving 15,000km per year using the manufacturer's recommended fuel type and ADR81/02 combined fuel consumption rate.

The indicative cost per litre or kWh used for calculation is: 

  • $0.35 per kWh for electricity
  • $1.81 per litre for unleaded (91 RON) 
  • $1.97 per litre for premium unleaded (95 RON)
  • $2.05 per litre for premium unleaded (98 RON)
  • $1.85 per litre for diesel
  • $1.87 per litre for premium diesel
  • $0.95 per litre for LPG
  • $1.77 per litre for Ethanol. 

The electricity cost of $0.35 per kWh assumes a vehicle is charged primarily at home with occasional public charging. 

  • Servicing is based on the manufacturer’s scheduled servicing program for a vehicle and assuming the vehicle travels 15,000km per year. The estimated servicing cost also includes any pre-paid or capped price servicing period for current model vehicles.

  • Battery is based on our assumption that over a 5-year ownership period one replacement battery would be required.

  • Tyres is based on a 5-year period driving 15,000km per year, our assumption is that one set of replacement tyres would be required in standard vehicles or 2 sets of tyres for performance vehicles. This cost estimate doesn’t include allowance for wheel alignment. 

  • RACV Roadside Care is based on the plan cost with no discount applied.

Our data is provided by Australian Motoring Services (AMS) and is sourced from a range of reputable automotive data sources. Some data may be approximated or estimated when unavailable for a specific vehicle. Our data includes: 

Battery:  Recommended battery type, cost, and frequency of change is provided by Club Assist and updated annually. 


Driveaway price (new cars):  Manufacturer driveaway pricing is provided by JATO Dynamics (where available), with estimated driveaway pricing calculated by Australian Motoring Services for all other current model vehicles using MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Pricing) plus applicable fees, charges, and estimated on-road costs.  
      

Driveaway price (used cars):  The current market valuation for older model vehicles is provided by Glass’s Guide, with indicative on-road costs calculated by Australian Motoring Services. Data is updated daily. 


Finance:  Indicative interest rates for new and used car finance are provided by RACV Finance. Vehicles eligible for RACV green car finance rates are applied. Data is updated periodically.   


Imagery: Vehicle imagery is provided by various sources including RACV, IMACA, and JATO Dynamics and updated periodically. All images supplied by our providers are indicative only. They may not be an exact likeness to the relevant vehicle on the Australian market. 


Insurance:  The estimated indicative costs for comprehensive car insurance is provided by RACV Car Insurance with data updated on a quarterly basis.  


Registration:  The cost to register a vehicle for personal car ownership in Victoria is sourced from VicRoads and updated annually. 


Roadside Assistance:  The cost of RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance is provided by RACV, based on an annual subscription without any discounts applied. Data is updated periodically. 


Servicing: The estimated costs of scheduled car servicing is provided by Repco and is based on the manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule. The cost of any Capped Price Servicing (CPS) period(s) and/or pre-paid servicing plan(s) offered by manufacturers is provided by JATO Dynamics. Data is updated periodically. 

Specifications: Vehicle features and specifications data is provided by JATO Dynamics and updated monthly.  


Tyres: Recommended tyre type and costs are provided by JAX Tyres & Auto, with tyre change frequency dependent on vehicle segmentation provide by Australian Motoring Services and RACV. Data is updated bi-annually. 

Vehicle ratings 

The cost-efficiency rating considers the estimated ongoing cost of running a vehicle over a 5-year ownership period. It does not consider the upfront purchase cost of a vehicle or the depreciation cost of a vehicle during the ownership period.  

A rating of 1 suggests a car is likely to be expensive to run whereas a rating of 10 means it's relatively cost-efficient, making it a better choice for those on a budget. The cost-efficiency rating provides a relative comparison of all vehicles sold in the Australian market since 2010. Individual circumstances and driving behaviour may vary results. 

The rating considers several variables including the estimated cost of: 

  • comprehensive car insurance 
  • fuel 
  • electricity 
  • Victorian registration 
  • servicing costs 
  • tyres 
  • battery.

The safety features rating is calculated by considering the number of recommended safety features found in a specific vehicle. A rating of 1 means it has fewer recommended safety features, making it less likely to provide protection in an accident or avoid an accident in the first place. A rating of 10 indicates a car has a higher number of recommended safety features. 

Some of the recommended safety features assessed include: 

  • electronic stability control 
  • lane keep assist 
  • driver attention detection 
  • autonomous emergency braking 
  • number of airbags 
  • reverse camera 
  • blind spot monitor 
  • automatic collision notification system. 

The eco-friendly rating is based on the estimated environmental impact of driving the car. A rating of 1 means the car is likely to produce significant tailpipe emissions when driven. A higher rating means the car is likely to produce less tailpipe emissions and a rating of 10 indicates a vehicle produces no tailpipe emissions (for example, an electric or hydrogen powered vehicle), making it a more environmentally friendly choice. 

The eco-friendly rating considers: 

  • vehicle type and powertrain 
  • CO2 tailpipe emissions (ADR81/02 combined)
  • Euro emissions standard 
  • manufacturer's recommended fuel type.

The information on this site is for general information purposes only and is published subject to our terms and conditions of use.  While we endeavour to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information on this site, we make no warranties and accept no responsibility for any loss or damage you may suffer as a result or your reliance on any part of it. 

+R.A.C.V. Finance Limited ABN 82 004 292 291 Australian Credit Licence No. 391488. RACV Finance is subject to RACV lending criteria. Conditions, fees and charges apply.  Comparison rate calculated on a loan amount of $30,000 secured over a term of 5 years based on monthly repayments. WARNING: This comparison rate is only true for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts will result in a different comparison rate.

The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.