A Guide To The Euro NCAP Criteria

The European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) is an independent safety testing standard. That gives the consumer access to these test results in a comparative and simple to use manner. Since it was launched in 1997 by the Transport Research Laboratory, for the UK Department of Transport, the program has assessed over 300 cars, providing a wealth of safety information for free to consumers. The tests are well regarded in Europe, becoming the standard throughout Western Europe. Globally they represent the most authoritative certification of vehicle safety, gaining recognition as the defining benchmark in vehicle safety.



All cars on the European market must meet a defined set of safety requirements and criteria. However not all cars are equal and some are safer than others. This is where the Euro NCAP comes in, assessing some of the most common and popular cars currently on the market.



For cars tested before 2009 the test is split into three categories; adult protection, child protection and pedestrian protection. With adult protection and child protection scored as a result of three impact tests that the centre carries out: frontal, side and pole test, with separate tests conducted for the category of pedestrian protection. As of 2009, cars are awarded a score in a single combined safety rating. This overall safety rating is composed of scores in four areas: adult protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist. This simpler model not only makes comparison easier but also places a greater emphasis on pedestrian protection than in the model used for older cars.

In recent years, cars have become much safer and this is partly a direct result of the Euro NCAP standards. The centre uses much higher performance requirements than demanded by European legislation. For example its frontal impact test speed is set at 64 km/h, compared to the 56 km/h used in meeting European legislative norms. Consumer legislation merely sets a minimum safety standard, the standard set by the Euro NCAP is concerned with exceeding this and providing the best possible protection for those in the car and outside.



Though testing is not mandatory, the prestige of the tests means that manufacturers often voluntarily subject their vehicles to the tests. It is common for results to be presented in the press and a good result will be gladly used by a marketing department in boosting the prestige of its cars.



Since its inception, the Euro NCAP has aimed to not only educate consumers but also to encourage manufacturers. The high standards it sets acting as an incentive to not just meet but exceed the minimum safety criteria. The hope being that at worst the only thing that will need fixing after an accident or crash will be a simple windshield replacement and nothing more costly.