How to Look Up and

When you are shopping for a pre-owned vehicle, factors like price, mileage, and features are always top of mind. However, one of the most crucial aspects to consider is the vehicle's safety rating. Understanding how to look up and interpret these ratings can provide peace of mind and help you make a more informed decision for yourself and your family. Official safety ratings come from rigorous crash testing conducted by independent organizations, offering objective data on how a car performs in various collision scenarios. This information is readily available to the public and is an essential tool in your car-buying research. Before you fall in love with a specific make or model from our used inventory, taking a few moments to investigate its safety history can be the most valuable step you take. This guide will walk you through where to find this critical information and what it all means.

A Comprehensive Guide to Checking Used Car Safety Ratings

Navigating the world of used cars can feel complex, but understanding safety ratings shouldn't be. This crucial information can empower you to choose a vehicle that offers better protection in the event of an accident. The two primary sources for vehicle safety data in the United States are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). While both organizations are dedicated to reducing automotive fatalities and injuries, they conduct different tests and use unique rating systems. Knowing how to access and compare their findings gives you a complete picture of a vehicle's safety profile.

The Two Pillars of Vehicle Safety Testing: NHTSA and IIHS

When you begin your research, you will frequently encounter these two names. It is important to understand their roles and how their testing methodologies differ.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a U.S. government agency. Its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) is famous for its 5-Star Safety Ratings system. It is a straightforward system that consumers have come to recognize and trust. A vehicle can earn a rating from one to five stars, with five stars representing the highest level of safety performance. NHTSA's overall rating is a combination of tests that include:

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization funded by auto insurers. The IIHS is known for its rigorous and often more demanding crash tests, which have pushed automakers to design safer vehicles. Their ratings are typically "Good," "Acceptable," "Marginal," or "Poor." To earn one of their coveted awards, the TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must achieve "Good" ratings in multiple crashworthiness tests.

IIHS tests include several that differ from NHTSA's, such as the moderate overlap front, driver-side small overlap front, and passenger-side small overlap front tests. The small overlap test is particularly challenging, as it simulates a collision where only a small corner of the vehicle's front end strikes another vehicle or a fixed object. The IIHS also evaluates headlights and front crash prevention systems, which are key components for their highest awards.

How to Look Up Ratings Step-by-Step

Finding safety information for a specific used car is a simple process. All you need is the vehicle's year, make, and model, or even better, its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN provides the most accurate way to retrieve data specific to that exact car.

First, visit the official websites: NHTSA.gov or IIHS.org. Both sites have user-friendly search tools on their homepages. Simply enter the vehicle's details. The results will display the scores for each specific test conducted. It is a good practice to check both sites, as one may have tested a vehicle that the other has not, or their different tests might reveal varying strengths and weaknesses. For example, a car might have a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA but may have only scored "Acceptable" in the IIHS small overlap test. This is why a comprehensive approach is best. Additionally, a vehicle history report can show if a specific car has been in a major accident before, which could compromise its structural integrity, regardless of its original factory safety rating.

Beyond Crash Tests: Active Safety and Recalls

Modern vehicle safety extends far beyond just surviving a crash. Today's cars are equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), often called active safety features, designed to prevent a crash from happening in the first place. When evaluating a used car, especially a more recent model, look for these technologies:

Finally, always check for open recalls. A recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect. You can check for recalls using the VIN on NHTSA's website. If you are considering a vehicle with an open recall, ask if the repair has been completed. If not, the manufacturer's authorized dealer should perform the fix for free. After you have done your research, the best way to evaluate these features is to schedule a test drive and experience them for yourself.