Euro NCAP Crash Test Results

Test results and safety ratings

Mercedes-Benz A-class 1999

A140 Classic , 5 door hatch

Test Date: Mar 2000

	Crash Star Rating
	Front-impact score Side-impact score Seat belt reminder Total score	11 (69.0%) 16 (89.0%) - 27
	Pedestrian Star Rating	Not Available
	Pedestrian-test score	Not Available

Compare with other cars in the Small Family Car category

Despite its one-of-a-kind styling and compact size (it occupies less road space than most superminis, even though it offers cabin space to rival family cars) the A-class performed well. Frontal-impact protection was good but more could be done to safeguard front occupant's legs. Passengers sit higher than usual and this helps in side impact. However, the struck-side front and rear doors opened in the side impact. This would have meant failure in the new side-impact regulations effective from October 1998. In the original test, the car had side airbags: Mercedes had said they were standard in all EU markets. The test car was purchased in the Netherlands, where side airbags are standard. Subsequently the A-class was found to be available in Portugal, Spain, France, and Ireland without these airbags. When challenged Mercedes said they'd made a mistake and they paid for a re-test. This showed that the first result was too high by 0.14 of one point. The car retains its four-star rating. The re-test also showed that modifications to prevent the doors opening were successful.