The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is an independent program supported by motoring clubs and governments in Australia and New Zealand. ANCAP results show the crash protection provided by vehicles in severe crashes.
The program gives car buyers consistent information on the level of occupant protection provided by vehicles in serious front and side crashes. Ratings for pedestrian protection are also available for some cars.
To make things simple for new car buyers, the performance of each car is rated on a five star system for occupant safety – five stars are awarded to the safest vehicles.
New cars are crash-tested in three ways:
- A front-on test where the vehicle hits a barrier at 64 km/h.
- A side impact test at 50 km/h.
- A test to assess likely injuries caused to pedestrians by a vehicle traveling at 40 km/h.
There is also an optional ‘pole’ test where the car moving sideways at 29 km/h hits a pole lined up with the driver’s head.
The cars used for crash testing are the same as those available to the general public to buy and the results are released as important information for car buyers.
How to find crash test results
You can view, download or order multiple copies online of ANCAP crash test results at myResources (select ‘Crash Tests’).
You can search crash test results for new and used cars on www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au (provided by the Transport Accident Commission, Victoria).