carsales Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics

carsales Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics

carsales.com.au is Australia’s largest online automotive, motorcycle and marine classifieds business in Australia and has been helping Australians buy and sell their cars than any other website for over 25 years.

Our editorial team’s mission is to provide the most up-to-date, accurate and informative news, reviews, comparisons, videos and independent advice that helps make buying, selling and owning a car easy for Australian consumers.

This policy is intended to ensure that carsales maintains honesty, fairness, independence and respect for the rights of others as part of its editorial publications. carsales aims to ensure that all content is accurate, impartial and objective.

This policy applies to employees, contractors and any other contributors of editorial content to carsales.com.au and carsales’ network of websites.

Editorial Guiding Principles

  • Be impartial and balanced - do not unduly favour one perspective over others.
  • Ensure accuracy of factual content of news, including taking steps to verify material facts with appropriate sources and ensure accuracy of quotes (except to delete offensive or inappropriate language, protect against defamation or to make minor changes for clarity).
  • Ensure that facts are provided in context and that no material facts are knowingly omitted or withheld.
  • Avoid use of prejudicial content, discrimination and unjustified use of stereotypes. Content should not use any language or image which:
    • (a) disparages or discriminates against any person or group on grounds such as race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, age, disability or sexual preference; marital, parental, social or occupational status; or religious, cultural or political belief or activity;
    • (b) are not representative of the relevant population, reinforce stereotypes or convey stereotypic assumptions about gender roles;
    • (c) conveys prejudice in any way; or
    • (d) makes demeaning or gratuitous references to people’s physical characteristics, racial or ethnic origin, political beliefs, sexuality, cultural practices or religious beliefs.
  • When a correction is necessary to published material because it is not consistent with these guiding principles, it will be made in an appropriate manner as soon as reasonably practicable.
  • Ensure analysis, comment and opinion is correctly attributed where appropriate.
  • A clear distinction should be made between facts and any analysis, comment and opinion. Any analysis, comment and opinion included in news and features content should be backed by demonstrable evidence and based on the professional expertise and judgment of staff.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest. The outside activities of staff, including financial, personal and political relationships, must not compromise the editorial integrity of any editorial content.

Vehicle reviews and ratings

Our journalists strive to produce objective vehicle reviews and commentary, with scores based on a number of factors including the suitability of a vehicle in relation to its intended purpose and a comparison with other vehicles on the market. See how these ratings are calculated here..

Opinions expressed within carsales’ editorial material are those of the writer and not necessarily carsales.

Prices and specifications

All prices shown in editorial publications are a “price guide only” based on information provided to us by the manufacturer (or other third parties) and are current only at the time of writing. If the price does not contain the notation “Drive Away”, then it may not include additional costs like stamp duty and other government charges. Any vehicle images similarly may not reflect the model’s exact specifications or features. You must confirm price and specifications with the seller of any vehicle

Our relationship with brands

Vehicles used for reviews and comparisons by our journalists are generally sourced from the respective vehicle brands. In most cases, carsales journalists attend new vehicle launches and other events at the invitation and expense of vehicle manufacturers, importers and/or distributors.

Social Media and Community Guidelines

The carsales team wants to encourage intelligent conversation and ensure our social media pages and accounts across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter are a friendly and safe place for everyone to research their next car, get involved, ask questions, receive support and provide feedback. Find out more.

Ad and Content Personalisation

carsales’ sites and apps support transparent brand-based advertising solutions through desktop, mobile and video. In every instance, carsales maintains a distinct separation between advertisements and independent editorial content. carsales’ sites and apps use cookies and data to enhance your user experience and serve you with advertisements of interest. Find out more.

Recommended Cars for Sale modules are automatically displayed based on the closest match by make, model, year, body type or lifestyle to the car featured in the content.

carsales produces a wide spectrum of content, some with sponsorship from third-party brands. The presentation of this content clearly displays how the content has been commissioned and produced, and who the sponsor is.

One of the following labels will appear on this type of content:

  1. All advertorial content is clearly marked ‘Sponsored’ and will contain the phrase “Presented by” and the sponsors’ logo or name. The carsales team reviews all content to ensure it is relevant and consistent with the principles set out above.
  2. Partnership content will contain the words “Produced by carsales in partnership with” or “Brought to you by” and the sponsors’ logo or name. This may apply to new projects or content we are already producing.

In addition, a client of carsales whose branding appears on editorial content may have a role in suggesting what kind of topics are covered, but the editor is not obliged to accept any ideas. The content is written and edited by the carsales team and the copy is not shown to that client for approval.

Find out more

Privacy Policy

carsales’ Privacy Policy explains how carsales.com Limited (as well as specified entities within the carsales group of companies) collect, use, disclose and manage your personal information. Find out more.

carsales' Terms and Conditions of Use

By accessing or using any editorial publications or other material published on websites operated by carsales and its group of companies, you are agreeing to carsales’ Terms and Conditions of Use. You can access the T&Cs here.

Contact Us

For corrections, complaints or to provide other editorial feedback, contact us here.

More information on carsales’ independent expert journalists can be found here.