Most car buyers trust safety without checking ratings, Startline research finds

Fewer than one in five (18%) motorists check official safety ratings such as Euro-NCAP when purchasing a new car, according to recent findings.

June's Startline Used Car Tracker reveals that 73% of buyers expect all cars to meet high safety standards, though only 36% trust legislation to ensure cars have effective safety features.

Paul Burgess, CEO of Startline Motor Finance, commented: “These findings suggest a subtle but significant trend. Motorists seem largely uninterested in industry safety tests like Euro-NCAP or legal safety requirements, yet they trust the cars they buy to be safe.

“It appears that the comprehensive safety features in modern cars – from multiple airbags to the extensive list of EU-mandated safety features added to almost all UK models – give car buyers confidence that safety is already well-addressed.”

When choosing a car, 35% of buyers are likely to choose a model with more safety features, and 28% actively seek cars with better safety. However, 15% feel dealers don’t provide enough information about safety features, and 14% prioritise other factors, such as running costs, over safety.

Burgess added: “While safety is an active consideration for about one in three buyers, there’s a perception that manufacturers and retailers could do more to provide information on safety features to meet the needs of this consumer group.”

The Startline Used Car Tracker, compiled monthly for Startline Motor Finance by APD Global Research, involved 301 consumers and 58 dealers in this survey.