How to avoid buying a used car on the Takata airbag recall list

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) figures released in early May 2020 revealed there were still over 200,000 vehicles with the deadly Takata airbags still on the roads. Over 8,000 of them are so critically dangerous that they shouldn’t be driven at all because they can result in serious injuries or even death, even if the collision is minor.

What is the Takata Airbag Recall?

In March 2018, the Australian government announced a mandatory recall of vehicles with faulty Takata airbags. This was because internal components within the airbags started to degrade as they began to age and were exposed to hot and humid climates. Once this airbag is triggered in a collision, it was in danger of deploying with excessive force – resulting in sharp metal fragments shooting out and injuring or killing the occupants of the vehicle.

This airbag recall is the largest recall for vehicles in the history of Australia, initially affecting over four million cars across dozens of brands. Globally, there were 29 Takata airbag deaths and 320 injuries reportedly linked to these airbags. In Australia, there has been one serious injury in a 21-year old woman and the death of a 58-year old man.

What can you do to protect yourself when buying your next vehicle?

This Takata airbag recall highlights the need for a comprehensive safety check of any vehicle you decide to buy. One of the easiest ways to do this is by purchasing a car history report. A Car History report provides you with in-depth information about used cars for sale. It highlights vital information about –

• If the vehicle has been written off because of a hail, fire or accidental damage
• The number of kilometres travelled
• If the current odometer reading matches what has been previously reported
• If the vehicle has been previously stolen or if there is still finance owing on it
• Any previous sale listings
• Safety and emission ratings of the vehicle
• If the vehicle has been affected by the Takata airbag recall
• PPSR certificate
• Details on the vehicle’s valuation and registration

This comprehensive report on the history of a used car will alert you of any significant information, including whether it is still part of the Takata airbag recall through the PPSR certificate, which has been updated to include these details. This car history report can be so useful because at least 1 in 4 used cars for sale hide potential issues.

Based on Australian Consumer Law, dealers are prohibited from advertising or selling vehicles actively affected by the recall. If you buy from a private seller, they are not required to tell you about the recall before a sale. That’s why; it is preferable to get your next vehicle from a dealership because they are subject to legal rules and regulations, which gives you more protection.

As a buyer, it is always good to do your own due diligence and purchasing a car history report can help you do that. Shop for Cars has partnered with Equifax to bring car history reports to you with ease. If you’re interested in a vehicle, get a car history report today.

When you order a car history report through Shop for Cars, you get it in just a few minutes. This allows you to make an informed decision about used cars for sale and saves you a tremendous amount of time and money. These car history reports are available for vehicles that have been registered in every Australian state and territory.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To read more articles like this, please visit the Shop for Cars latest news page here.

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