Safest Used Cars in NZ: 5-Star Picks and How to Check Any Car
Choosing one of the safest used cars in NZ is one of the best decisions you can make for you and your passengers, and it does not have to cost more. Many of the most popular used cars on New Zealand roads, including plenty of affordable Japanese imports, earn the top 5-star rating for real-world crash safety.
This guide explains how used car safety is rated in New Zealand, lists popular models with a 5-star overall rating, and shows you how to check the safety rating of any car before you buy.
The Short Answer
Popular used cars with a 5-star overall rating in the 2025 Used Car Safety Ratings include the Toyota Aqua (2012 to 2020), Toyota Corolla (2018 to 2023), Mazda3 (2013 to 2023), Mazda CX-5 (2012 to 2023), Toyota RAV4 (2013 to 2023) and Subaru Forester (2012 to 2023).
The rating matters. Choosing a higher-rated vehicle can reduce the risk of death or serious injury by up to fifteen times compared with the worst-performing models (Monash University). You can check any car's rating on the Rightcar website using its number plate.
How Car Safety Is Rated in NZ
Used Car Safety Ratings
Based on real crashes in Australia and New Zealand, these show how well a model protects people in a crash.
ANCAP Ratings
Crash test ratings for newer vehicles sold in NZ and Australia. Ratings are date-stamped, as tests get tougher over time.
Rightcar
The official NZ website where you can look up a car's safety rating by number plate, or by make, model and year.
Safer Pick
Awarded to 5-star cars that also score at least 4 stars for protecting other road users and for crash avoidance.
Stability Control
ESC helps you keep control when swerving or on slippery roads. All used imports entering NZ since March 2020 must have it.
Crash Avoidance
Features like automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist help stop a crash happening in the first place.
Popular 5-Star Used Cars in NZ
| Model | Model years | Type | Overall rating | Safer Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Aqua | 2012 to 2020 | Light car | 5 stars | No |
| Toyota Corolla | 2018 to 2023 | Small car | 5 stars | Yes |
| Mazda3 (Axela) | 2013 to 2023 | Small car | 5 stars | Yes |
| Toyota Prius | 2003 to 2016 | Small car | 5 stars | No |
| Hyundai i30 | 2012 to 2023 | Small car | 5 stars | 2017 to 2023 |
| Toyota Camry | 2011 to 2023 | Medium car | 5 stars | Yes |
| Mazda6 (Atenza) | 2012 to 2023 | Medium car | 5 stars | Yes |
| Ford Mustang | 2015 to 2023 | Medium car | 5 stars | No |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2012 to 2023 | Medium SUV | 5 stars | Yes |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2013 to 2023 | Medium SUV | 5 stars | Yes |
| Subaru Forester | 2012 to 2023 | Medium SUV | 5 stars | 2018 to 2023 |
| Nissan X-Trail | 2014 to 2022 | Medium SUV | 5 stars | Yes |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 2012 to 2021 | Medium SUV | 5 stars | Yes |
Overall Safety ratings from the 2025 Used Car Safety Ratings, produced by the Monash University Accident Research Centre using Australian and New Zealand crash data. Year ranges are model generations as listed in the ratings, not individual build years. Safety equipment can vary by grade and market, so always check the specific vehicle on Rightcar.
Safest Small and Light Cars
Small cars are where the Japanese import market really shines. The Toyota Aqua (2012 to 2020) earns a 5-star overall rating and is also one of the most fuel-efficient cars you can buy, which makes it a standout first car or commuter. The Mazda3, sold in Japan as the Axela, scores 5 stars across both the 2013 to 2019 and 2019 to 2023 generations, with a quality interior and a great drive.
The Toyota Corolla from 2018 onward earns 5 stars, the Toyota Prius scores 5 stars for the 2003 to 2016 generations, and the Hyundai i30 rates 5 stars from 2012. The Corolla, Mazda3 and the 2017 onward i30 are also Safer Picks. All are practical, reliable choices with strong safety credentials.
For more ideas, see our guides to the best first cars for new drivers and the best used hybrids, or browse hatchbacks and hybrids in stock.
Safest Medium Cars
If you want more space, the Toyota Camry (2011 to 2023) and Mazda6, known in Japan as the Atenza (2012 to 2023), both earn 5-star overall ratings. Both are also Safer Picks, and they make excellent family cars and comfortable long-distance cruisers.
If you want something with more character, good news: the Ford Mustang (2015 to 2023) also earns a 5-star overall rating, with 5 stars for driver safety. Read our guide to buying an American muscle car in NZ to learn more.
Safest SUVs
SUVs are popular with families, and several of the most common used models earn 5 stars. The Mazda CX-5 scores 5 stars and is a Safer Pick across both generations from 2012 to 2023, and the Toyota RAV4 earns 5 stars and Safer Pick status from 2013. The Subaru Forester rates 5 stars from 2012, with all-wheel drive as standard and Safer Pick status from 2018, while the Nissan X-Trail (2014 to 2022) and Mitsubishi Outlander (2012 to 2021) also score 5 stars as Safer Picks, and offer seven-seat versions.
See our guides to the best family cars in NZ and the best used SUVs under $20,000, or browse SUVs in stock.
What About Utes?
Utes are essential for many Kiwis, but safety varies a lot between models and generations. In the 2025 ratings, 70 per cent of commercial utes rated only one or two stars overall (Monash University). Newer utes with modern safety technology generally perform better than older work-focused models.
If you need a ute, choose the newest one your budget allows, look for ESC and automatic emergency braking, and check the rating of the specific model on Rightcar. Our guide to the best American utes in NZ covers full-size options.
Safety Features to Look For
Whatever you buy, these features make a real difference (NZTA drive.govt.nz):
- Electronic stability control (ESC): helps you keep control when swerving or on slippery roads by braking individual wheels automatically.
- Airbags: most cars under 20 years old have front airbags, but safer cars also have side and curtain airbags.
- Automatic emergency braking (AEB): brakes automatically if you do not react in time, helping prevent rear-end and head-on crashes.
- ABS brakes: stop the wheels locking so you can keep steering while braking hard.
- Lane support: warns you, or gently steers, if you drift out of your lane.
- Reversing camera and ISOFIX points: especially handy for families with young children.
Are Japanese Imports Safe?
Many of the safest used cars in New Zealand are Japanese imports, including the Aqua, Axela and Atenza. Used imports have had to meet electronic stability control requirements in stages: used 4WD SUVs from 1 March 2016, used passenger cars over 2 litres from 1 March 2018, and all other used light passenger and goods vehicles from 1 March 2020 (Ministry of Transport).
Equipment such as curtain airbags and emergency braking can vary between grades of the same model, so check the specification of the actual car. At 4Guys, every import goes through VINZ and Drivesure entry compliance, and our guide to Japanese import vs NZ-new explains the differences.
How to Check a Car's Safety Rating
Get the Plate
Note the number plate from the listing or the car itself. If there is no plate yet, use the make, model and year.
Search Rightcar
Enter it on the Rightcar website to see the car's safety star rating and other details.
Check the Features
Confirm the car has the airbags, ESC and driver aids you want, as grades can differ.
Safe Used Cars in Hamilton
At 4Guys Autobarn we stock many of the models in this guide, from fuel-efficient Aquas and Axelas to family SUVs, and we are happy to tell you what safety equipment a particular car has before you visit. Combine a 5-star rating with good reliability and you get a car that looks after you and your wallet. Our guide to the most reliable used cars in NZ is a good companion read.
Visit us at 20 Arthur Porter Drive in Hamilton, open seven days, or start online: browse our current stock and apply for finance. Not local? We offer delivery anywhere in New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
- There is no single safest car, but many popular used models score the top 5-star overall rating in the Used Car Safety Ratings, including the Toyota Aqua (2012 to 2020), Mazda3 (2013 to 2023), Toyota Corolla (2018 to 2023), Mazda CX-5 (2012 to 2023) and Toyota RAV4 (2013 to 2023).
- Use the Rightcar website. You can enter the car's number plate, or search by make, model and year, to see its safety rating and other information such as fuel economy.
- Used Car Safety Ratings are calculated by the Monash University Accident Research Centre using records from millions of vehicles involved in police-reported crashes in Australia and New Zealand. They show how well a model protects people in a real-world crash.
- Yes. The Toyota Aqua, sold in Australia as the Prius c, has a 5-star overall rating for the 2012 to 2020 generation in the 2025 Used Car Safety Ratings. It is also one of the most fuel-efficient used cars you can buy.
- Many do. Used imported cars entering New Zealand have needed electronic stability control in stages since 2016, and from 1 March 2020 all used light passenger and goods vehicles entering the country must have it, apart from a few specialist exemptions.
- Generally, yes. Vehicle safety has improved a lot over time, and drivers of 2023 models face a risk of death or serious injury 43 per cent lower than drivers of 2001 models. Choosing the newest, highest-rated car you can afford is a sensible approach.
- Look for electronic stability control, front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes and, ideally, automatic emergency braking and lane support. A reversing camera and ISOFIX child seat points are also worth having.
- Yes. The Ford Mustang from 2015 to 2023 has a 5-star overall rating in the 2025 Used Car Safety Ratings, including 5 stars for driver safety and 5 stars for crash avoidance technology.
- It depends on the model and age. Many older commercial utes rate poorly, with 70 per cent rated only one or two stars overall in the 2025 ratings. If you need a ute, choose the newest one you can afford and check its rating first.
