| Euro NCAP rating | Look up the exact vehicle, model year, body style, and test result in Euro NCAP’s official database. Ratings are awarded from zero to five stars; protocols and assessment criteria can change over time. | Does the result apply to this exact model year and specification? When was the vehicle tested, and has the rating expired under Euro NCAP’s current validity rules? |
| Crash-protection categories | Review the separate scores for Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection, and Safety Assist. A star rating alone does not show performance in every category. | Which category is strongest or weakest? Are the tested child restraints and safety equipment relevant to how the vehicle will be used? |
| Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) | Check the specific trim’s equipment list for features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-support systems, speed assistance, and driver-monitoring functions. Availability and operating conditions vary by vehicle and market. | Are the features standard or optional? Which road users can the emergency braking system detect, and what are the system’s stated limitations? |
| ADAS operation and calibration | Read the owner’s manual for sensor locations, warnings, and conditions that may limit operation. Windscreens, repairs, wheel alignment, or sensor replacement can require calibration according to the manufacturer’s procedures. | How are alerts and interventions adjusted? What calibration is required after a windscreen or collision repair, and who pays for it? |
| Airbags and child-seat provisions | Confirm the installed airbags and child-seat anchorages in the vehicle’s specification. Check the manual for approved child-seat positions and whether the front passenger airbag can be deactivated when required. | Are the anchor points compatible with the child seats you use? Does the vehicle have the seating and restraint equipment needed for your family? |
| Warranty duration and mileage limit | Request the written warranty terms for the country where the vehicle is purchased. Coverage periods, mileage limits, start dates, and exclusions vary by vehicle, market, and component. | When does coverage begin? Is there a mileage cap, and which parts have different coverage periods? |
| Warranty exclusions and servicing | Review exclusions, maintenance requirements, wear-item rules, repair authorization procedures, and any conditions for keeping the warranty valid. Use the contract and official warranty booklet rather than verbal assurances. | Which servicing records must be retained? Are repairs required to be carried out by an authorized facility, and what costs are not covered? |
| Road test and visibility | Test the vehicle on familiar roads and check seating comfort, visibility, braking response, parking ease, and the clarity of driver-assistance alerts. These checks complement—but do not replace—independent crash-test results. | Can you see clearly at junctions and while reversing? Do the controls and warnings feel easy to understand? |
| Purchase documentation | Compare the order form, vehicle specification, safety-equipment list, warranty booklet, and delivery documents. Confirm that optional equipment and the selected trim are recorded in writing. | Do the documents identify the exact model year, trim, equipment, warranty terms, and delivery condition? |