When you buy a car in India, one of the most important things to think about is how safe it is for the people inside. The country’s busy roads, unexpected traffic, and different driving conditions make safety more than simply a feature; it’s a must. India has had 1,68,491 deaths in car accidents, therefore it’s more important than ever to choose a car that puts safety first for its passengers. Modern cars have active safety measures like ABS, ESP, and traction control, as well as crash-tested constructions that keep occupants safe in the case of a crash. Global NCAP crash tests give us even more useful information about how cars do in controlled safety assessments. The good news is that numerous models have gotten perfect scores. In this blog, we will learn about the safest used cars.
Why Car Safety Ratings are Important in India
India’s crowded roads and many types of driving make it important for a car to keep you safe when things go wrong and help you avoid accidents in the first place. Independent car crash tests done by groups like Bharat NCAP, Global NCAP, Euro NCAP, and others give you a clear, comparable level of protection, so you don’t have to guess. In summary, safety ratings help you find a car that keeps your family safe without breaking the bank. Use these to make a short list, then take a test drive to make sure they are comfortable, have good visibility, and how the safety tech works in traffic.
Also read: Used cars in Mumbai: What Buyers really want in 2025
Top High-Safety Used Cars
It’s not as hard as you would think to find a safe and dependable used car. These are the best vehicles that are safe and don’t cost a lot of money, as shown by their 4/5 Global NCAP rating:
Tata Punch
The Tata Punch EV got a perfect score of 5 stars. In June 2024, the EV was crash-tested and got 31.46 out of 32 for AOP and 45 out of 49 for COP. The Punch has a 360-degree camera, six airbags (as standard), and a hill climb assist to help keep you safe.
Tata Nexon
The Tata Nexon was the first automobile made in India to get a five-star certification for safety in Global NCAP testing in 2018. Tata Motors went above and beyond by setting a high standard for safety, making it one of the safest used SUVs in India. NDTV Auto says that it got 5 stars in the Bharat NCAP test in 2024, which shows that it is safe and of high quality.
Mahindra Thar Roxx
The Thar Roxx got a 5-star overall rating after being crash-tested in November of last year. The tough SUV got 31.09 out of 32 for AOP and 45 out of 49 for COP, much like the other ones. The Roxx was the first body-on-frame SUV to get a 5-star rating in the BNCAP tests. There are 6 airbags (standard), a 360-degree camera, electronic stability control (ESC), and level 2 ADAS to keep passengers safe.
Tata Altroz
The Tata Altroz is the safest hatchback in India. In fact, it was the first hatchback to get a Global NCAP 5-star certification in 2020. As of 2025, it is the only car in its class to have gotten a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for all three types of engines: petrol, diesel, and CNG! It’s a strong contender because it was built on the Tata ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) architecture.
Skoda Kylaq
The BNCAP did crash tests on the Skoda Kylaq for the first time in 2025. It got a complete 5-star rating, just like the other automobiles that came before it, however it fell short in the AOP rating, getting 30.88 out of 32. Right now, the Kylaq is the safest small SUV on the market. The Kylaq comes with six airbags, ESC, and a camera for parking in the back.
Mahindra XUV 400 EV
The EV got a 5-star rating since it has an AOP of 30.38 out of 32 and a COP of 43 out of 49. Is safety a big factor for you when you choose an automobile, or is it something else? Please leave a comment to let us know. There are six airbags, hill hold help, and a system that keeps an eye on the tire pressure to keep you safe.
Nissan Magnite
Nissan Magnite proves that a small SUV can be safe and affordable at the same time. The car gets a redesign in October 2024, and it now has six airbags, better safety systems, and a 5-star adult safety rating from Global NCAP.
Also read: How to Check a Used Car Before Buying – Complete Inspection Guide
Purchase Safest Used Car From HaloTrades
HaloTrades is a safe and open place for people who want to buy the safest used cars. We directly address concerns about the history and integrity of the vehicles. We make sure that purchasers obtain honest information and fair prices by focusing on transactions between owners. At HaloTrades we offer services that emphasize safety, including access to verified service history records and optional comprehensive third-party inspection services, which are essential for confirming a vehicle’s structural integrity and maintenance status, giving you the confidence that the car’s original safety rating remains intact.
The bottom line
Safety should always come first when you buy a used car. The Tata Nexon, Tata Punch, Mahindra XUV400, Tata Altroz, and Nissan Magnite are all examples of cars that achieve good Global NCAP ratings, run well, and have useful amenities, all at a reasonable price. You can make a sensible and safe purchase by examining the service history, making sure the auto insurance is genuine, and carefully comparing rates.
FAQs
Q: What independent groups in India test automobiles for crashes?
You can trust the scores that Global NCAP, Bharat NCAP, and Euro NCAP give to cars after they’ve been through crash tests.
Q: What does it mean to get a 5-star Global NCAP rating?
A 5-star Global NCAP rating means that the car has a lot of protection for adults and kids in the case of a crash.
Q: What safety features are now standard in the best secondhand cars?
More and more top-rated secondhand automobiles come with six airbags (as standard), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and ABS to keep people safe.