Posted Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025
Prioritizing safety features should be your top concern when buying a car, whether new or used. Safety tools in a vehicle directly minimize the frequency of accidents and also help avoid serious injuries in the event of a crash. Ensuring the presence of essential safety features in your car will increase your protection on the road and give you peace of mind while driving.
While many safety features are available in most used vehicles, it's important to check which features are available and how well they function before purchasing a used car. Here are some of the most important car safety features that you need to consider when purchasing your next ride.
You might be aware of some basic safety features that are mandated by federal law and required by passengers to use in many states. However, it’s crucial to look beyond and be aware of all essential safety features in a used car to choose the most reliable option. Make sure the used car you are buying has the following features in good working order.
Airbags are among the earliest safety features in an automobile, becoming standard equipment on vehicles by 1987. While they are considered standard features on modern vehicles, you need to ensure the used car you are considering has them and is in working condition. Make sure to check for all the airbags in the car including the front, side, and any curtain airbags, and confirm their functionality.
Antilock brakes prevent a vehicle’s wheel from locking up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control when braking. Although this safety feature is common in most used cars, it's crucial to verify its functionality when purchasing a used vehicle.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is a car safety system that detects potential collisions and automatically applies the brake if the driver doesn’t respond in time. This advanced safety feature is available on many models and is likely found in most used cars. You need to ensure your next used car has this feature to ensure your driving safety.
This safety feature detects other vehicles in the driver’s blind spot, alerting them with visual or audible warnings when changing lanes. This helps drivers take evasive action and prevent collisions. A functional BSM can give you the ability to detect what your eyes may miss, enhancing your safety when changing lanes. Make sure the used car you are going to purchase has a proper, functional blind spot detection system.
Electronic stability control (ESC) is designed to help prevent a vehicle from skidding and losing control. This feature uses automatic, computer-controlled braking of the wheels to bring back the vehicle under control and prevent rollover accidents. This feature has been required on all cars since 2011, but you have to carefully review the system in the used car to confirm its functionality.
Lane departure warning (LDW) and lane keeping assist (LKA) are vehicle safety systems that help keep the car in its lane. LDW helps prevent accidental lane drift by sounding a warning while LKA can automatically steer the vehicle back into the lane. These features provide a more proactive way to prevent lane departures and ensure safe driving. You can check these vehicle safety systems in the used car during a test drive and ensure they are in good working order.
This vehicle safety feature prevents wheel spinning during acceleration, improving traction and stability, especially on slippery surfaces. This safety feature in a used car can be really beneficial for riders in areas with inclement weather. Make sure to check the presence and efficiency of this car safety system when buying your next used car.
Tire pressure monitoring is designed to alert the driver when the air pressure in a vehicle's tire is low. This feature is essential to preventing accidents and improving fuel efficiency.
There are many vehicle safety systems that are not currently available on all cars, but having them can significantly enhance your protection on the road. Here are some of the car safety features that are not always mandated by law but still important to ensure your and your family’s safety.
Adaptive cruise control is a driver-assistance feature that detects the vehicle ahead and automatically adjusts your car speed to maintain a safe following distance. This feature is very useful, especially when driving on crowded roads.
Child safety features include various equipment that are specifically designed to protect children from harm during a ride. Specialized car seats, booster seats, and appropriate harness systems are some examples of these safety features in a car. You must look for these features in your next used car especially if you are buying a family car.
Parking sensors are vehicle safety features that alert drivers of nearby obstacles when parking. This feature is not available in all cars, therefore, look at the age and model of the used car to confirm if it features parking sensors.
A rearview or backup camera is a video camera mounted on the back of a car to provide a live view of the area behind it. This feature will warn you when cars, people, or any other obstacles are in the way while backing up. Most vehicles have these cameras but some used cars may require aftermarket installation, so make sure you choose the right option for yourself.
Safety features should be your top priority when shopping for your next used car. Look for vehicles that are equipped with basic safety features like airbags as well as advanced driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control and child safety systems. Include these essential features in your vehicle safety checklist when shopping for your next ride. By prioritizing these car safety features, you can get a reliable vehicle and increase your protection and peace of mind while driving.
Finding a used car with adequate and functional car safety features can be challenging, but not with Honest Autos. We have the largest collection of top-quality used cars that are equipped with the best safety features to ensure your protection on the road. With Buy Here, Pay Here financing, free Autocheck vehicle history report, and transparent pricing, we make sure you get the perfect car for your needs.
If you want to access a wide selection of high quality used cars with top safety features, contact Honest Autos today. We can help you get the most reliable used car for your needs.