NCAP Safety Ratings Explained

Introduction

Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe.

Established in 1997 and now backed by five European Governments, the European Commission and motoring and consumer organisations in every EU country, Euro NCAP has rapidly become a catalyst for encouraging significant safety improvements to new car design.

Test Procedures Explained

Today, more than ever before, safety sells cars. For car buyers it is a key element of their purchasing decision.

It's essential that motoring consumers can obtain reliable and accurate comparative information regarding the safety performance of individual car models.

By law, all new car models must pass certain safety tests before they are sold. But legislation provides a minimum statutory standard of safety for new cars, it is the aim of Euro NCAP to encourage manufacturers to exceed these minimum requirements.

Front Impact Test

Frontal impact test is based on that developed by European Enhanced Vehicle-safety Committee as basis for legislation, but impact speed has been increased by 8 km/h.

Frontal impact takes place at 64kph (40mph), car strikes deformable barrier that is offset.

Side Impact Test

Impact takes place at 50kph (30mph). Trolley fitted with a deformable front is towed into the driver's side of the car to simulate a side-on crash.

Readings taken from dummy are used to assess the protection provided for the driver.

Pedestrian Impact Test

A series of tests are carried out to replicate accidents involving child and adult pedestrians where impacts occur at 40kph (25mph). Impact sites are then assessed and rated fair, weak and poor. As with other tests, these are based on European Enhanced Vehicle-safety Committee guidelines

Pole Tests

Accident patterns vary from country to country within Europe, but approximately a quarter of all serious-to-fatal injuries happen in side impact collisions. Many of these injuries occur when one car runs into the side of another.

To encourage manufacturers to fit head protection devices, an optional pole or head protection test may be performed, where such safety features are fitted. Side impact head airbags help to protect the head by providing a padding effect and by preventing the head from passing through the window opening.

In the test, the car tested is propelled sideways at 29kph(18mph) into a rigid pole. The pole is relatively narrow, so there is major penetration into the side of the car.