Whether buying a new or used car, or even just keeping your current car up to date, safety is at the forefront of most people’s minds.

A new car must have passed basic safety checks just to make it to the forecourt, but these are not as in depth as most safety conscious buyers would like them to be. Most models will have been checked more in depth by Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme). Euro NCAP assess’ most new car models in depth with the aim of ensuring car manufacturers maintain a high standard of safety, while also providing key information for the buying public. The tests include adult protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist with a five star rating system where the top rating can only be achieved when all aspects are at a high standard.

When bought from new, a car does not require any further checks for three years, but after this period an MOT (Ministry Of Transport) test must be passed in order for the car to be deemed roadworthy. This test must be carried out at a VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) licensed garage by licensed testers. A licensed garage can be identified by a logo displayed in the testing station showing three blue triangles. VOSA is a government agency which trains and authorises both testing stations and testers. It sets the required standards and checks the stations and testers to ensure these standards are maintained. They will also deal with any complaints made by the public in relation to the MOT test and testers. The test itself includes a number of features to ensure the safety of the car. This includes, the body and vehicle structure, the fuel system, exhaust system and emissions, seats and seatbelts, doors and mirrors, breaks, tyres and wheels, windscreen, steering and suspension. All these checks and others are vital to ensuring a car is safe for its driver, passengers, pedestrians and other road users. If the car passes these checks to the satisfaction of the tester then a certificate is issued to prove as such. It is important to remember however that it only verifies the car’s safety at the time of inspection and not for the entirety of the period for which the certificate is valid. If the car fails the test then a failure sheet will be issued to the owner highlighting the points that require fixing to a satisfactory standard in order for the car to be passed after being retested.

In today’s society car safety is a major factor in day to day life. Most people will travel by, or be in close proximity to a moving car every day of their lives. In the event of an accident, a missed or poorly observed safety check can be the difference between life and death. A car owner must be responsible for regularly checking their own car to make sure it is safe not only for themselves but for everyone around them.