Buying a Safer Car

A car is the most dangerous machine many people use daily. Safer vehicles reduce crash injuries, and you can check their ratings before you buy. Whether new or used, a few steps help you find a vehicle that protects you and your family.

• Car Buyers
• Families
• New Drivers
• Commuters

Check crash test ratings

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives 1 to 5 star ratings for frontal and side crashes and rollover resistance. Look up a vehicle at NHTSA.gov/ratings by make, model and year.
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) runs crash tests and names Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ vehicles. Check their ratings for crashworthiness, headlights and front crash prevention.
• Compare ratings within the same size and weight class. Ratings can't be compared between very different sizes, and a bigger vehicle tends to protect its occupants better in a crash with a smaller one.
• Look at specific results, not just the overall score, such as small overlap front tests, side impact and child seat ease-of-use ratings.
• Test ratings change as tests get tougher. A vehicle that was top-rated years ago may rank lower now.

Safety technology to look for

• Electronic stability control (ESC): required on all new passenger vehicles since the 2012 model year in the U.S. It helps prevent skids and rollovers. Check older used cars.
• Automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection: it can reduce rear-end crashes. Look at how it performed in IIHS tests.
• Blind spot warning, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert help with common crash types. See Driver Assist Systems.
• Good headlights: IIHS tests them, and ratings vary widely, even in the same model with different headlights.
• Side and curtain airbags, a strong safety cage, and head restraints. See Seat Belts & Airbags.
• Backup camera: required on new vehicles in the U.S. since 2018.
• Remember that technology doesn't replace attention. Learn what each feature does and doesn't do before relying on it.

Buying used: extra checks

• Check for open recalls with the vehicle identification number (VIN) at NHTSA.gov/recalls. Dealers must fix recalls before selling a new car, and many used cars still have open ones. See Recalls.
• Get a vehicle history report (NMVTIS, Carfax, AutoCheck) for accidents, odometer fraud, flood or salvage titles and number of owners. Look at the title for brands like salvage, rebuilt or flood.
• Look for signs of flood damage: musty smell, silt or rust under seats and in the trunk, fog inside lights, and corroded electrical parts. Flood cars can have airbag and electrical failures.
• Look for previous collision repair: uneven panel gaps, paint mismatch and overspray. Poorly repaired structure or airbags can fail in the next crash.
• Make sure airbag lights turn off after starting, and ask about airbag replacement, especially the faulty Takata inflators in older cars.
• Have an independent mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection of brakes, tires, steering, suspension, frame and fluids. See Car Maintenance.
• Check tires: age (the four-digit DOT date), tread depth and uneven wear. See Tire Safety.

Fit for your needs

• Child seats: try your seats in the car you're considering. Check LATCH anchors, back seat space and whether the seat fits properly. See Child Car Seats.
• New and teen drivers: choose midsize vehicles with ESC and good ratings, not very small cars or very powerful ones. See Teen Drivers and New Drivers.
• Visibility and comfort: check blind spots, seat adjustment, pedals and controls, and whether you can reach and see everything. Older drivers may value easy entry. See Older Drivers.
• Work use: if you carry tools and materials, check cargo restraint and weight limits. See Loading Cargo & Roof Racks.
• Electric and hybrid vehicles have their own considerations. See Electric Vehicle Safety.

Test drive and paperwork

• Take a thorough test drive including city, highway and a braking test in a safe spot. Listen and feel for pulling, vibration or noises.
• Read the window sticker or Buyers Guide and understand any warranty. Don't skip the inspection under pressure.
• Be careful of curbstoning (unlicensed sellers posing as private owners), odometer rollback and fake titles.
• Register for recall notices and keep a copy of the owner's manual. Learn the car's controls before you drive in traffic.

Safer car checklist

• I looked up NHTSA star ratings and IIHS results for the exact model year
• It has ESC, automatic emergency braking and good headlights
• I checked recalls by VIN and read a vehicle history report
• An independent mechanic inspected the car, and I looked for flood or collision damage
• My child seats and my own driving needs fit the vehicle

Last updated: October 5, 2026