Do Car Safety Ratings Really Matter?

What Motorists Should Know About Car Safety Ratings 

At least most of us (if not all) have heard of car safety ratings, but do we actually know what they mean? We’ve briefly covered NCAP ratings, their definition, and how they factor into overall car protection, but what does it actually take to assign a vehicle the stars it deserves? How do the criteria differ in South Africa from global markets? 

Earlier this year, the Global NCAP (Global New Car Assessment Programme) called out several models for occupant safety issues. One of the cars recalled was Hyundai’s Grand i10. Zero stars for occupant safety means that there is little to no chance of protection in an accident.

And while safety can vary from person to person, we’ve decided to explain what the rating figures mean and how the scores actually work. South Africans can then use this information to make well-informed choices going forward.

What Does Global NCAP Mean?

To put it simply, Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) is a 5-star rating system used to assess a vehicle’s overall global safety performance against set criteria and its categories (listed below). While it may seem counterintuitive that not every car is created equally, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the entire vehicle is unsafe. Be that as it may, in a country like South Africa, where road fatalities are a real concern, it’s not something to take lightly.

On the plus side, don’t let price fool you into thinking safety is unattainable - you don't have to spend a fortune on a vehicle just to stay protected. Yes, some cars might come with advanced driver-assistance systems, but others offer basic safety features that are just as necessary. As long as you’re a responsible driver, a lower-scoring vehicle doesn’t mean ditch it entirely; it just means safety may need a second opinion, depending on the severity of your concerns.

Car buyers should also consider that a country’s “safety standards” vary, especially if the vehicles are imports. While one car may perform really well in a crash test in one region, it might not perform as well in another category or country. 

If it seems confusing, you’re not alone.

Difference between Global NCAP and South African NCRS Standards

Question remains: How different are safety standards in South Africa from those overseas? Here is where things get a bit tricky. 

The truth is that South Africa doesn’t really have its own safety rating system. The lack of a local rating system makes it harder to report accurate scores. The only assurance South African car owners have is from the NCRS (National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications), which ensures that vehicles meet the minimum legal safety standards. 

Our car standards follow international standards. It may sound like a good thing, but these standards don’t always yield relevant scores because the models we import aren’t necessarily designed for us. For example, vehicles arriving from countries such as Japan, China, India, and Southeast Asia could be subject to stricter or more relaxed rating standards than those in Africa. 

Even now, having a single set of standards for an entire (global) automotive industry seems a bit too subjective and risky, which is what makes it so complicated. Each country follows its own standards. These may include factors such as speed, “basic” protection measures (airbags, seats), and advanced technological features, all in relation to their market, not necessarily South Africa’s.

NCAP Safety Rating Categories and Types

To understand what goes into safety ratings, these benchmarks are used to establish scores: driver, passenger, and pedestrian. The categories are as follows: 

1. Adult Occupant Protection

Adult occupant protection, A.K.A. crash test, is designed to collect data by simulating car accidents. By using dummies to represent “humans”, the collected data accounts for factors such as speed, force, car make, and post-impact (type of collision, injuries, and vehicle stability after an accident). 

2. Child Occupant Protection 

The test station will use dummies to represent children up to 10 years old, similar to the adult occupant safety test. Additionally, various child restraint systems, such as baby car seats and booster seats, are also tested.

3. Pedestrian Safety 

If a vehicle hits a pedestrian, would the pedestrian sustain any injuries from the collision, and if so, how extensive? Additional tests would also include monitoring the vehicle’s brake response time under real-world conditions, e.g., whether someone steps out in front of the vehicle at the last minute. 

4. Assisted Safety

This category assesses how well the safety technology can help a driver avoid an accident, not how well it protects them from one. It includes electronic braking function, blind-spot detection, seatbelt warnings, speed assistance, and forward-collision alerts. 

These four categories allow manufacturers to hone in on designing vehicles for the market they’re going to. 

How Are Vehicles Scored? 

To understand how vehicles score, here’s what each star really means:

0 Stars: Vehicle meets minimal legal requirements and lacks safety features. 
1 Star: Marginal protection with minimal safety technology.
2 Stars: Basic protection with subtle safety features. 
3 Stars: Provides average protection but lacks up-to-date technology.
4 Stars: Average to moderate protection with some advanced features. 
5 Stars: Excellent protection with the latest safety features. 

What You Should do if Your Car is on the Recall List

If an automaker has issued a recall on your specific model due to poor global NCAP performance, the Automobile Association recommends resale if your primary concern is protection. Unfortunately, we know not every owner can do this, especially if you’re on a budget. 

Going forward, use this information, do extra research on your vehicle’s model, and more importantly, ask questions before you sign on the dotted line. 

That said, if you are ever involved in an accident, get up to speed with our article on tips for dealing with road accidents in South Africa. 

Which Car Has the Best Safety Rating? 

The question on everyone’s minds is: Which car has the best safety rating? Understandably so.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all, but if you are ready to buy a vehicle and are super conscious about protection, you can find more realistic safety scores via the Global NCAP Africa report or via the Automobile Association site: Crash Tests. 

For more fun reading, you can also check out our article on 2025’s best scoring vehicles. 

The Bottom Line

As vehicles continue to modernise, safety ratings may not always keep up with their respective markets. The bottom line is that it’s not the end of the world. These vehicles still meet the minimum legal conditions -  it’s just a matter of preference. Remember to do your research and ask questions; this will help you in your pursuit of a reliable vehicle. 

If you’re looking for the best deal, you’ll find everything you need to know here: How to buy a car for the best price.