New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has published risk ratings for vehicles in advance of lower levies from July 1.

The average motor vehicle levy will fall 41%, saving drivers about $NZ438 million ($434 million).

ACC Minister Nikki Kaye says the cuts have been made possible by good financial management of the scheme and reduced road accidents.

Car owners can see what levy they will pay on the ACC website.

Vehicle models are grouped into four bands, with levies based on how safe a car is in a crash.

“Some people may be surprised by the risk rating of their vehicle,” Ms Kaye said.

“The new system will give people greater awareness of safer vehicles, which they may wish to take into account when buying a car.”

Owners of petrol cars currently pay an ACC levy of about $NZ198 ($196).

This will drop to $NZ158 ($156) for the least safe vehicles and to $NZ68 ($67) for the safest.

About 85% of cars will be rated using a system developed by Melbourne’s Monash University, based on data collected from 5.5 million crashes.

There is less data available for newer cars, which will be rated using simulated crash testing.