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Car Safety
2025 Used Car Safety Ratings: Safest SUVs, utes and EVs in Australia revealed
Which used SUVs, utes and cars best protect you in the event of a crash? New 2025 safety ratings reveal the safest used cars to buy and those to avoid when shopping for a second-hand vehicle.
Compiled by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC), the 2025 Used Car Safety Ratings analyse crash outcomes from 9.5 million vehicles and 2.6 million injured road users involved in police-reported crashes across Australia and New Zealand between 1987 and 2023.
The findings show significant progress in vehicle safety thanks to advancements in technology, while newer vehicles must also comply with greater safety standards. The study found that drivers of 2023-model vehicles are 43 per cent less likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash than those driving 2001-model vehicles.
With more electric cars available on the used car market, the Tesla Model 3 (2019-2023) became the first fully electric vehicle to be rated by the Monash University Accident Research Centre, achieving the maximum five stars for overall safety.
Conversely, popular 4x4 utes generally performed poorly in the study, with 70 per cent rating only one or two stars and none awarded the maximum five star rating.
"Vehicle choice remains one of the most important decisions a driver can make for their own safety and the safety of everyone on the road," says Monash University Accident Research Centre Director Professor Stuart Newstead.
"The Used Car Safety Ratings allow people to see which vehicles offer the best overall protection, not just to their occupants, but to other road users. As the data shows, selecting a higher-rated vehicle can reduce the risk of death or serious injury by up to 15-fold compared to the worst-performing models."
More: Research and compare used cars, SUVs and utes in Australia
What the 2025 used car safety ratings show
The 2025 Used Car Safety Ratings study covers 561 vehicle models manufactured between 1982 and 2023. Each model receives a rating out of five stars for overall safety, factoring in:
- Driver safety
- Other road user safety
- Crash avoidance - the vehicle's ability to prevent a crash
From the models assessed by Monash University Accident Research Centre:
- 130 models achieved a five-star rating
- 72 models earned 'Safer Pick' status for top-tier protection across all safety categories.
The report also highlights major safety improvements driven by increasing uptake of primary safety technologies such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist, electronic stability control (ESC) and reversing sensors or cameras. Many of the vehicles assigned with a ‘Safer Pick’ recognition were manufactured from 2009 onwards, underlining the safety benefits of newer cars.
More: The best car safety features and technology
Choosing which used car to purchase is easier than ever thanks to the new Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC used car safety ratings for 2025.
Safest used cars in Australia for 2025
Below are the safest models in each major vehicle category from the 2025 Used Car Safety Ratings. 'Safer Pick' models appear across these categories.
Safest used small cars
Top-selling small cars such as the Hyundai i30 (2017-23), Kia Cerato (2018-23), Toyota Corolla (2018-23) and Mazda 3 (2013-29 and 2019-23) now earn a five-star rating and 'Safer Pick' recognition.
More: Research and compare budget-friendly cars
Safest used small SUVs
Affordable and commonly available used small SUVs such as the Mazda CX-30 (2019-23), Mitsubishi ASX (2016-19 and 2019-23) and Eclipse Cross (2017-23), Nissan Juke (2013-19), Suzuki Vitara (2015-23) and Volkswagen Tiguan (2016-23) all achieved a five-star rating and 'Safer Pick' status.
More: The best compact SUVs to buy
Safest used medium cars
Budget-friendly 'Safer Pick' medium sedans include the Mazda 6 (2012-23), Subaru Liberty (2009-14) and Toyota Camry (2011-17 and 2017-23).
Safest used medium SUVs
'Safer Pick' models with a five-star rating include the Subaru Forester (2018-23), Toyota RAV4 (2013-19 and 2019-23), Hyundai Santa Fe (2012-18) and Honda CR-V (2012-17 and 2017-23).
Safest used large SUVs
Among the large SUVs tested, affordable picks such as Mazda CX-9 (2016-23), Nissan Pathfinder (2013-20), Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (2015-23) and Volkswagen Touareg (2011-19) all achieved 'Safest Pick' recognition.
Safest used electric vehicles
Tesla Model 3 (2019–2023) is the first fully electric vehicle ever assessed in the Used Car Safety Rating report and achieved five stars and 'Safer Pick' status.
More: Research and compare electric cars on sale in Australia
Safest used 4x2 and 4x4 utes
Seventy per cent of utes tested by Monash University Accident Research Centre rated only one or two stars. The report did not identify any used utes as 'Safer Picks'. Utes that obtained a four-star rating included the Ford Ranger (2015-22), Mazda BT-50 (2015-22) Mitsubishi Triton (2015-23), Nissan Navara (2015-23) and Holden Colorado (2012-20).
More: Research and compare different 4x4 utes
Safest used people movers
Honda Odyssey (2013-21) was the only people mover to earn 'Safer Pick' recognition and a five-star rating.
The Tesla Model 3 (2019-2023) achieved five stars and a Safer Pick status in the MUARC report.
How the used car safety ratings work
The 2025 Used Car Safety Ratings by Monash University Accident Research Centre are calculated using real-world crash data, rather than controlled laboratory tests. The methodology draws on:
- 9.5 million vehicles
- 2.6 million injured road users
- Police-reported crashes across Australia and New Zealand
- Crash outcomes spanning 1987-2023.
The Used Car Safety Ratings show how vehicles perform in actual crashes across thousands of real conditions.
More: ANCAP vehicle safety ratings explained
Frequently asked questions
Are newer used cars safer?
Yes. The 2025 Used Car Safety Ratings report shows that drivers of 2023 vehicles face a 43 per cent lower risk of sustaining serious injuries in a crash compared to those driving 2001 models.
More: Should I buy a new or used car?
Are bigger vehicles safer?
Not always. The 2025 Used Car Safety Ratings report did not identify a single ute that achieved the maximum five-star rating and 'Safer Pick' status. Some large SUVs and utes protected their own occupants well according to the report, but scored poorly in protecting other road users.
Are affordable safe cars available?
Many 'Safer Picks' vehicles cost under $25,000 on the used car market, with more than half available for less than $10,000.
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