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Time of India
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Rust in peace? Delhi's old car worries shift from pollution to protection, shows survey
As Delhi's roads brace for sweeping restrictions on older vehicles, a surprising new trend is emerging—not in exhaust fumes, but in public sentiment. A consumer survey by Park+ Research Labs has revealed that for Delhiites, it's no longer just the black smoke that's troubling. It's the growing fear that outdated vehicles may be putting lives at risk. The survey, conducted across 10,000 car owners in the Delhi-NCR region, suggests that India's regulatory focus on pollution may be overlooking a critical threat: road safety. And the concern isn't just abstract—it's personal. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Operations Management Public Policy Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Finance Data Science Product Management MBA PGDM Technology Digital Marketing Project Management Management Others others healthcare CXO Data Science Data Analytics Design Thinking MCA Degree Leadership Skills you'll gain: Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma Analytical Tools Supply Chain Management & Strategies Service Operations Management Duration: 10 Months IIM Lucknow IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics Starts on Jan 27, 2024 Get Details by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover the upgrades that set the New Koda 2 Pro apart Ooni Pizza Ovens Learn More Undo Safety first, emissions second The findings show a marked shift in what people consider the bigger problem with ageing cars. Though by a slim majority—54% of respondents—believe 15-year-old vehicles are simply unsafe to drive, not because of their carbon footprint, but because they lack essential safety features like airbags, ABS brakes, and driver-assist technologies like ADAS. Live Events On the other hand, when asked what mattered more in an older car, 46% pointed to emissions control. This subtle but significant divide indicates that many Delhiites see outdated vehicles as ticking time bombs on wheels. Risk on the Roads The concerns are well-founded. The report notes global studies that show that vehicles older than a decade pose higher crash and fatality risks. For example: Teens driving cars over 15 years old face a 31% higher crash-death risk. Even vehicles between 6–15 years old come with a 19% higher crash fatality rate. Drivers of older vehicles are more likely to be involved in a crash (30% vs. 25% for newer cars). Older cars often lack lifesaving features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Ban or not to ban? Delhi's current policy—banning fuel supply to petrol vehicles over 15 years old and diesel vehicles over 10—remains a polarising topic. The Park+ survey found an even 50-50 split on whether the policy is the right approach. Half support the ban as necessary for environmental and public health reasons; the other half argue it's too blunt an instrument and misses more pressing safety concerns. Instead of blanket bans, many respondents favoured more nuanced solutions: 29% support mandatory annual safety inspections for older vehicles. 28% advocate for stricter enforcement of PUCC norms. 27% want improved public transport systems to reduce private vehicle dependency. Interestingly, the public's perception of pollution sources is also shifting. Only 25% of respondents blamed vehicles as the primary cause of Delhi's toxic air. In contrast, a larger share pointed to illegal industries (33%), stubble burning (26%), and unauthorized construction (15%) as the real culprits.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
54% of Delhi-NCR car owners consider aging vehicles as road safety risk: Survey
More than half of car owners in Delhi-NCR consider aging vehicles a road safety risk, with concerns extending beyond air pollution, according to the findings of a survey conducted by Park+ Research Labs . The findings, released on Tuesday, come against the backdrop of raging debates over fuel bans for petrol and diesel vehicles older than 15 and 10 years, respectively. The survey, covering 10,000 car owners, found that 54 per cent of respondents believe 15-year-old vehicles are unsafe, citing that they lack safety features such as airbags, disc brakes, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Furthermore, 54 per cent of respondents cited road safety as their primary concern regarding 15-year-old vehicles, outweighing 46 per cent of respondents who cited emissions, according to the study. Additionally, 69 per cent of respondents said they would not consider buying a 15-year-old car, even if offered at a reduced price. Mixed Views on Delhi's Fuel Ban The pollution control body had on April 23 announced a ban on refueling overage petrol and diesel vehicles in the national capital Delhi from July 1. The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), however, following public outcry, deferred the ban imposition to November 1, the same date on which the ban will also come into effect in five adjoining districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Sonipat. As per the study, half of the respondents support the ban, while the other half oppose it. But opinions are divided, with a portion of respondents backing alternative approaches such as conducting annual safety checks, enforcing stricter pollution under control (PUC) norms, and improving public transport. Only 25 per cent of those surveyed identified vehicles as the main source of pollution in the capital. In contrast, 33 per cent blamed illegal industries, 26 per cent cited stubble burning, and 15 per cent pointed to unauthorised construction as major contributors.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Too risky to buy used? First-time car owners share why they said ‘No': Report
First-time car owners share why they said 'No': Report India's used car market may be losing traction, at least among first-time buyers, as per a new nationwide study by Park+ Research Labs. The report has revealed that a substantial 77% of first-time car buyers in India chose to purchase new vehicles over used ones in the past year, pointing to deep-seated trust issues within the pre-owned car ecosystem. Among those surveyed, 81% believe used car prices are unjustifiably high—often rivalling or exceeding the cost of brand-new models. This sentiment is especially strong in the under Rs10 lakh bracket, where nearly 90% of second-hand car transactions occur, according to a Deloitte report. For many buyers, new cars now offer better value thanks to easier financing options and more reliable after-sales support. 2025 Tata Altroz review: Tata's Best Hatchback Yet? For those who did consider a used car, the experience often didn't end well. Sixty-five percent said they backed out due to peer warnings, negative online reviews, or firsthand disappointments. Legal complications were cited by 43% of these respondents, while 22% pointed to RC transfer delays, and 11% blamed poor digital reviews. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Interestingly, traditional local car dealers seem to be winning the trust battle. Around 73% of first-time buyers said they felt more confident dealing with local sellers compared to large organised players. The reasons were simple but powerful: face-to-face negotiations, a sense of human connection, and transparent dealings. Legal grey areas remain a barrier Documentation disputes, incomplete ownership transfers, and fraudulent listings continue to haunt the used car space. Buyers are calling for better regulation, more transparent processes, and a system that can guarantee smoother and safer transactions. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India .
