The S-Type was never tested by NCAP apparently, hence no figures. Does anyone really care about those rating when they buy a car? I know they're used as a selling point by manufacturers, but on the other hand a quick poll in the office suggests nobody factored it into their buying decision.

Common sense says the bigger and better built the car you're in, the less damage it will take when something hits it. Case in point 2 weeks ago - a local builders open back transit hit the back of my 7 series. My car was scratched, theirs lost the bonnet, lights, bumper and associated trim, looked like it had hit a wall.

Does seem amusing that the safest type of car is the type the government most wants to stop people driving

 

My lads VW Passat, it had a bump during the snowy period, ran into a stationary Corsa :roll: VW front end crumpled like a paper bag (insurance wrote it off) Corsa? cosmetic damage to the rear.

 

Hi system11 & Victor

I appreciate most people buy the S-Type for reasons other than NCAP rating, myself included, but I was impressed with the safety features offered by the model and, of course, I just wanted one - no regrets there at all Mine's a 2.5 SE, but I fancy a 4.2 now - which means I'm more likely to drive myself into trouble :lol: But, hell. you only live once...

 

I think the unofficial NCAP figure on the S-Type is 4 out of 5 stars, but then the test has moved on since the S-Type was released over 10 years ago so by todays standards I exect it to be less.

NCAP is something I do think about when buying a car, a while back we looked at the Freelander for the little lady at home, it would have been perfect but the safety rating was shocking. Equally, I think if you have a family (which I don't at the moment), safety rating is a big factor. Would sooner have my family in a 5 star NCAP Espace than a 10 year old Showgun for example - anyone see that very scrash scenario on 5th Gear a while back?! Makes you think...

 

Yeah, the Freelander is not listed before 10th place of the S-Type - so fairly poor, as you say. That 5th Gear Espace test was shocking, results-wise. I saw one recently (usual repeat on Dave, so not sure exactly what year it was filmed) about the Smart car and it's safety cell was very effective, even though you'd died from the actual impact!! Ho-hum.

 

Yeah, the Freelander is not listed before 10th place of the S-Type - so fairly poor, as you say. That 5th Gear Espace test was shocking, results-wise.

I saw that, it was very bad !

 

Common sense says the bigger and better built the car you're in, the less damage it will take when something hits it.

Did you not see top gear where they head on crashed a modern small car with a 5 star NCAP (renault I think) head on into an old Volvo, with both cars travelling at 60mph (I think).

Everyone in the Volvo would have been dead or seriously injured, everyone in the small new car would have walked away unhurt.

The Volvo was trashed, but you could still open the doors in the new car and get out.

Its all about how the car absorbs the impact not about how rigid the car is.

Peter

 

My lads VW Passat, it had a bump during the snowy period, ran into a stationary Corsa :roll: VW front end crumpled like a paper bag (insurance wrote it off) Corsa? cosmetic damage to the rear.

Victor was that before or after the service he did in your garage :?: