Because of improvements in technology and structural design, most older vehicles are not as safe as newer models on the Australian market. But some newer models are the exception, including the current Great Wall Motors Steed which received two stars and others which received three stars such as the Nissan Patrol Cab Chassis. "You would assume that a newer car is going to be safer [than an older vehicle], and chances are it will be," said Mr Goodwin. Not always, though. Results published in April gave the current model Steed a score in a head-on collision of 8.3 out of 16, but it rated well for side impact, getting 16 out of 16. In the frontal offset crash test, the vehicle's body was compromised, buckling under the impact of a 64 km/h crash. Had the crash test dummy been a person, he would have sustained "quite severe leg and chest injuries", Mr Goodwin said. Older vehicles with five stars, even some six to 10 years old, were safer. For example, a Subaru Outback (2009 to 2014 range) scored 13.8 in a head-on crash, and 16 out of 16 in a side impact collision and received five stars, making it twice as safe as three to two-star rated vehicles. The Ford Ranger, 2011 to 2014, also received five stars, along with the Holden Colorado 2012 to 2016.

The scores are determined by the structural performance of the vehicle in a crash test, the injuries sustained by a crash test dummy, and the ability of the vehicle to avoid a crash with safety features like electronic stability control, blind spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking. Occupants travelling in a three-star vehicle are twice as likely to die in a crash, or be seriously injured, than those travelling in a five-star vehicle. >While lower-rated vehicles may be sold on the market, some insurers are providing incentives and encouraging buyers to opt for higher-rated vehicles. Western Australia's RAC (the state's roadside assistance organisation) has refused to insure or finance vehicles with fewer than four stars.

The RAC wants to make it compulsory for new vehicles to display their ANCAP safety rating, in much the same way that products ranging foods to appliances and whitegoods now display energy or health ratings. Another insurer IAG has partnered with ANCAP and has developed head restraint ratings to reduce whiplash injuries, which are now included in the ratings. It has also been testing autonomous braking systems. Although it doesn't adjust premiums to reflect differences, NRMA Insurance offers discounts on cars fitted with autonomous braking systems. Great Wall Motors Australia was disappointed by the performance of the new Steed in ANCAP testing, said spokesperson Andrew Ellis. The company was taking immediate steps to see what could be done to rectify the situation. "We have sent all the data to our engineering team in head office and set up a response team to investigate what needs to be done to improve the safety performance of our product." Older vehicles are usually more dangerous than new. Vehicles built in 2000 or before accounted for 20 per cent of the fleet, but represented 33 per cent of fatalities in 2015. Newer vehicles, built 2011 to 2016, accounted for for 31 per cent of all cars, but only 13 per cent of fatalities.

Loading Mr Goodwin urged parents of teenagers and young drivers – who crash at a higher rate than other drivers – to buy the safest vehicle they can and resist the urge to pass on the family's oldest car. He said by spending a few more dollars a week they may find a vehicle that was safer in a collision.