Buying Smart While Staying Safe
When you’re shopping for a used car, safety is often the first thing on your mind and for good reason. That’s why so many buyers look to the 5-Star Safety Ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) when comparing vehicles.
Recently, NHTSA announced that its planned update to the 5-Star Safety Rating system originally scheduled for 2026 models will now be delayed until 2027. At first glance, this might sound like a complicated government decision. But for used car shoppers, it actually brings good news.
Current Ratings Still Count
Because the updated standards are postponed, all vehicles on the market today are still measured by the existing criteria. That means a 2019–2025 vehicle with a 5-star score remains just as trustworthy today as when it was tested. For anyone shopping used, this stability is reassuring: your car’s rating won’t suddenly feel “out of date” in the next year or two.
Many Used Cars Already Have “Future” Features
Even though the government won’t officially include them in ratings until 2027, many late-model used cars already come equipped with advanced safety technology. Depending on the year and trim level, you can find features such as:
Blind-spot monitoring helps spot vehicles you might not see in your mirrors.
Lane-keeping assist gently corrects steering to help keep you centered.
Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection added peace of mind in city driving.
Adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance automatically on the highway.
These are the very features regulators will highlight in a couple of years. Smart shoppers can enjoy them today often at thousands less than the cost of buying new. Browse our latest selection here: Shop Our Inventory.
Value That Lasts
Since the new safety criteria won’t apply until 2027, a used car you buy now won’t lose its credibility on resale. In fact, vehicles already equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems may hold their value even better as demand for those features grows. Thinking ahead about equity? See what your current vehicle is worth: Value Your Trade.
We Help You Shop Smart
Our team can also help you identify which models in our inventory already include features that align with the next generation of safety standards.
Prefer to get a head start from home? You can streamline your visit by starting a secure financing application in minutes: Apply for Financing.
The Bottom Line
The NHTSA’s delay in updating safety ratings may sound like a technical detail, but here’s what it really means: today’s used cars remain a safe, reliable, and value-packed choice. With many pre-owned vehicles already equipped with features regulators will soon highlight, there has never been a better time to consider buying used.
Next step: Explore our certified pre-owned options, schedule a test drive, and let our team help you find a vehicle that fits your budget and your peace of mind.
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