These three popular car models could soon be banned in New Zealand

The Government's being urged to ban the importation of unsafe cars.

A reference group on vehicle safety and standards has recommended stopping vehicles with fewer than three safety stars from entering the country's fleet.

They include older models of Toyota Corolla, Suzuki Swift, and Mazda Demio - three of New Zealand's top five most popular cars. 

The Motor Trade Association is part of the reference group, and it says the import ban would create a level playing field for vehicle safety.

The MTA says the number of fatal crashes caused by vehicle faults has been on the rise since 2015.

However, the AA's Director of Regulations Mark Stockdale believes the ban is a step too far.

"Never mind actually thinking about a ban, the first step should be just telling people what the safety rating of their car is or the car they are thinking of buying, so they can make a choice."

He says that most people don't know what the safety rating is, but they do care. Surveys have shown that people are willing to pay more for a safer vehicle, but that the information can be confusing and not easily found. 

Stockdale says that the AA supported a vehicle risk safety programme that covered all cars under the age of 40, and a lot of work had gone into implementing it. 

"The AA thought it was a good idea, and it was the sort of easy rating everyone could use and compare, but that has now been abandoned by the current Government." 

He says that the majority of new cars have a four or five-star rating, so it is not a widespread problem amongst those, though older cars are a different story. 

Other recommendations from the reference group include getting unsafe vehicles off the road quicker, and promoting vehicle features that better protect pedestrians.