Euro NCAP test: What is it?
The Euro NCAP test is an independent assessment of the safety and performance of popular vehicles sold in Europe. NCAP stands for New Car Assessment Programme.
All vehicles have to pass a minimum safety test so that they can legally be sold, however the Euro NCAP offers an independent study that aims to encourage manufacturers to exceed this minimum level.
Do they test every single car?
No, this just wouldn’t be feasible. Euro NCAP choose the most popular and interesting models that year and test them, but they also test a selection of older vehicles too that are already on sale.
Some manufacturers even ask Euro NCAP to assess their models if they are confident they can use a good rating as a selling point.
Where do they get the cars?
The cars are bought anonymously just like anyone would buy a car, from a dealership or straight off the production line for brand new models. The cars are then checked to ensure they have all of the correct safety equipment and are representative of the model being sold to the public.
How do the ratings work?
The higher the rating, the safer the car. Before 2009, three ratings were given – one for pedestrian, one for adult and one for child protection. Now there is just one overall rating, making it easier to compare vehicles. (However do bear in mind that vehicles from different categories cannot be fairly compared this way.)
This rating encompasses all of the three aspects used pre-2009, and also ‘safety assist’. The ratings in these areas are then weighted against each other to calculate the final overall score.
You can find out how safe your car is according to its crash test rating by visiting the Euro NCAP website.
Adult Occupant Protection
The adult protection rating is calculated from the frontal, side and pole impact tests. There is also a separate whiplash test, which is taken into account in this overall rating. Different sizes of people are utilised in different positions so that lots of areas are considered.
Child Occupant Protection
The protection of children in vehicles is calculated with suitable facilities and the fitment of child restraint systems (CRSs). There are three important aspects to the assessment of child occupant protection, these are:
- Child dummies used in CRSs in the front and side crash
- Child seat installation check
- Fitment of ISOFIX mounts and provision of similar features specific to the transport of children
Pedestrian Protection
During the test process there are several tests carried out to replicate the effect of accidents occurring at 25mph. A dummy is used to assess the level of protection in a car. Leg forms are used to assess the level of impact that would affect a pedestrian. A better score is given if the leg would be impacted lower down and if the forces are spread out over a longer length of leg.
To assess the impact on the head, the bonnet must be able to deflect so that the severity of impact on the head is lessened. Lots of new cars have sensors that trigger springs, pyrotechnic charge or external airbags upon impact. The speed and effectiveness of these systems is assessed.
Safety Assist
The newest addition to the Euro NCAP rating is ‘safety assist’. This measurement is related to the fitment of safety systems in cars that help prevent crashes or reduce their severity. Examples of areas that make up the safety assist rating are:
- Seat belt reminder systems
- Speed assistance systems
- Electronic stability control
Other systems with proven injury reduction potential are likely to be added to the rating in the coming years.
Are the dummies just there for show?
No, the dummies are used to simulate what would happen to your body if you were involved in a crash. The way the limbs and head of the dummy move are a good indication of how the human body would react in the event of collision. The dummies used are called the Hybrid III and the ES-2.
The dummies aren’t just like big dolls, either. They are packed full of sensor equipment and cost a whopping £82,000+ to make!
Euro NCAP collate the data attained from the dummy to form decisions on the safety of the vehicle. Areas of the dummy that include sensors are:
- Head
- Neck
- Arms
- Chest (front impact)
- Chest (side impact)
- Abdomen
- Pelvis
- Upper leg
- Lower leg
- Feet and ankles
How are the tests actually carried out?
The areas that are tested are:
Frontal impact
This is the most important test as frontal impact is the most common form of crash. The test takes place at 40mph, when a car strikes an immovable barrier. Readings are taken from the dummies.
Car to car side impact
This is the second most important test. A mobile deformable barrier (MDB) is used to impact the driver’s door at over 30mph. Readings are taken from the dummy in the driver’s seat.
Pole side impact
The car is propelled sideways towards a narrow pole at 18mph to replicate crashes where a car goes into an object such as a tree or pole.
Whiplash
A seat is mounted on a sled test, and is assessed according to how it copes with varying levels of crash forces believed to cause injury.
Child protection
Dummies the size of children aged 1½ and 3 are used. Head movement, neck loads and chest accelerations are used as assessment measures. The dummy must not be ejected from the seat or make contact with the interior of the vehicle.
Pedestrian protection
Individual components are tested as opposed to a full dummy.
ESC
Based on a double lane change manoeuvre. Carried out at 50mph, the steering manoeuvre is compared with steering input.
Seat belt reminders
Research has shown that people are more likely to wear a seat belt when prompted. Efforts to promote this are rewarded.
Speed assistance systems
Different functions are assessed: informing driver of current speed limit, warning driver when they are over the threshold, and actively preventing the car from exceeding the set threshold. Accuracy is measured.
Autonomous emergency braking
Vehicle is driven towards stationary target and the speed reduction achieved by the automatic braking is assessed at speeds varying from 6-50mph. Tests are also done with the car closing in on another car in front, and following a car which suddenly starts to brake.
The best Euro NCAP ratings for 2014 so far
Supermini: Skoda Fabia
Small family: Nissan Qashqai
Large family: Mercededes-Benz C Class
Executive: Tesla Model S
Small MPV: VW Golf Sportsvan
Small off-road 4x4: Mercedes-Benz GLA Class
Business and family vans: Mercedes-Benz V Class