What is Euro NCAP?

Euro NCAP stands for European New Car Assessment Programme. 

Euro NCAP created a five-star safety rating system to help consumers, their families and businesses compare vehicles more easily and to help them identify the safest choice for their needs.

The rating is determined from a series of vehicle tests, designed and carried out by Euro NCAP and are based on real life accident scenarios that could result in injured or killed car occupants or other road users.

The number of stars reflects how well the car performs in Euro NCAP tests, but it is also influenced by what safety equipment the vehicle manufacturer is offering in each market. So a high number of stars shows not only that the test result was good, but also that safety equipment on the tested model is readily available to all consumers in Europe.

The star rating goes beyond the legal requirements and not all new vehicles need to undergo Euro NCAP tests. A car that just meets the minimum legal demands would not be eligible for any stars. This also means that a car which is rated poorly is not necessarily unsafe, but it is not as safe as its competitors that were rated better.

For more information on Euro NCAP ratings, click here.