Ever wondered how safe your small car is? Well, now you can get some idea with the publication of EU tests on car safety. Our consumer affairs correspondent, Karen Bowerman explains.

When most people consider buying a new car, they can have a look at it in the showroom, take it on a test drive, examine all its additional features, and even demand a certain colour.

But one thing is almost impossible - trying to work out how safe it might be to drive.

It is even more difficult trying to compare one car with something similar being sold by a different dealer.

Now however, European engineers working for NCAP - the New Car Assessment Programme - have published their latest table of car safety results, comparing the so called superminis - or small city cars - popular with women, young drivers, and families looking for a second car.

The safety table is based on the results from extensive crash impact tests on seven of the most popular cars in Europe.

The tests involve subjecting the cars to head on collisions at 40 miles an hour, along with side impact crashes at 30 miles an hour.

Improvement

The results suggest there has been a dramatic improvement in small car safety over the past three years.

Here is how the models fared.

They were awarded up to 4 points (the top rating) for safety, and judged on both the impact tests, as well as simulated crashes involving pedestrians.

The figure for front and side impact tests is first followed by those for pedestrian crashes.

• Fiat Punto 4 and 2
• VW Lupo 4 and 2
• MCC Smart 3 and 2
• Hyundai Atoz 3 and 2
• Vauxhall Corsa 3 and 2
• Honda Logo 3 and 2
• Lancia Ypsilon 2 and 2

The crash test consortium includes the UK, Netherlands, Swedish, French and German governments, along with international research groups.

It is completely independent, making its tests more popular among consumers, than those published by individual car companies.

Encourage safety

The chairman of the NCAP, Max Mosley, says the tests they carry out are also more extensive, and actually encourage manufacturers to make certain safety features such as air bags, standard, since the tests are only carried out on standard models.

But despite the dramatic improvement in safety when it comes to passengers and drivers, there are still concerns about protection for pedestrians.

Manufacturers say they are working hard to achieve this and as new models are made there is evidence car designers are paying just as much attention to pedestrians and passengers.

Some of the improvements include installing better braking systems and side impact bars.

Manufacturers say they are also working on new more flexible materials for car bodywork, and bumpers.