Choosing a safe car

These 12 tips will help you find the safest car affordable.

1. Look for cars with the latest safety features, including:

ABS (anti-lock braking system) ABS stops the wheels locking when a car brakes. The system shortens the stopping distance and makes the car easier to control when emergency braking.

EBA (electronic brake assist) senses how hard the driver brakes, and keeps applying the brake to help the ABS work in an emergency. It does this because drivers sometimes wrongly ease off the brake when they feel the ABS kick in.

ESC (electronic stability control) ESC works with ABS to help stop a car skidding and spinning when turning sharply to avoid a crash. It prevents 25% of fatal collisions. ESC will be compulsory in all new cars by the end of 2013. ESC is also known as ESP, RSC, DSC, VSA and VSC, depending on the model.

2. Look up the vehicle’s EuroNCAP rating

EuroNCAP independently assesses the safety of new cars sold in Europe. Its star rating system can help you decide which cars are safer.

3. Check all the tyres, including the spare

The tyres are the only part of the car that touches the road. We need them to steer, brake and accelerate. Poorly maintained tyres increase the time it takes a car to stop, and do little to help keep it on the road.

Tyres can also be a good indicator of other problems on the car. New tyres come with 8 or 9mm of tread. The legal limit is 1.6mm, less than 3mm is risking it. TyreSafe shows you how to use a 20p piece to check. 

  • The tread should be raised. Look for the thread wear indicators bars. They are in the tread groves in several places on the tyre. If the bars are flush with the tread ribs, the tyre needs replacing - driving with tyres this badly worn is dangerous and illegal.
  • Tyres should be evenly worn. Check for wear in patches, and at the centre and the edges of each tyre. Any abnormal, uneven wear may indicate a mechanical problem like improper wheel alignment, or a problem with wheel balance, suspension or transmission.
  • Tyres should be free from lumps or bumps. Lumps and bumps are signs of damage. Tyres in this condition are dangerous and must be replaced before driving.

4. Sit the driver in the driving seat!

Are they comfortable? Can they reach the controls? Can they see the dashboard clearly? Can they see all around them, or do the pillars or head restraints block their view? Adjust the seat and steering wheel positions until they are comfortable and feel in control.

5. Check all the seatbelts

Make sure there is one for the rear central passenger, as it’s not always fitted.

6. Air bags

Ideally, buy a car with air bags for all passengers. Young drivers rarely travel alone.

7. Check the headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lamps and windscreen wipers work

This may sound basic but these seemingly simple functions are essential for keeping the car and its passengers safe and legal.

8. Ask the seller if the vehicle has a current MOT with a reasonable time period left to go

If not, ask the seller to get a current MOT before making the purchase.

An MOT certificate only guarantees a vehicle’s roadworthiness at the time of the test, so once you have bought a car, you may want get a new one. This will help make sure the vehicle is road worthy.

9. Test drive

Test drive the car to make sure it runs smoothly and safely. Be aware of who is insured to drive, a driver on a provisional license probably won’t be. You may wish to arrange an independent vehicle inspection to ensure the car is road worthy.

10. Calculate the car’s emissions

It’s easy to do online here. You will pay more road tax on cars that emit high levels of CO2.

11. Check what the insurance will be and read the terms and conditions

A cheap car doesn’t guarantee a cheap insurance premium. Check the insurance online

12. Use your head, not your heart

Colour and model may make your child prefer one car to another, but having the freedom to travel in a safer vehicle is more important.