Thatcham car crash tests sees zero rating for Renault model but how safe is your car?

The latest results of new car crash tests from Thatcham Research in Berkshire are some of the worst for many years.

The Renault Zoe received a zero-star rating after the latest model saw part of an airbag removed which protects against head injuries in side impacts.

It's only the third time a new vehicle has been awarded such a low score in twenty years.

The Dacia Spring was also singled out for poor safety and was rated one-star in the Euro NCAP testing.

Renault insist the cars are safe and meet all safety requirements.

• WATCH: The Renault Zoe undergo 'the pole test'

Dummies were used to simulate real-life impact scenarios in the Renault Zoe.

In part of the testing, the the car was pushed into a pole, which is supposed to replicate real-world objects, such as trees.

During the test, the driver’s head can be seen to directly hit the pole.

The Renault Zoe was originally tested by Euro NCAP in 2013, where it achieved a five-star rating.

Since then, the Zoe has been left far behind the standard achieved by most carmakers in 2021, according to Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research’s Chief Research Strategy Officer and Euro NCAP board member.

He said: "Unfortunately, a conscious decision has been made to remove the head protection from this vital passive safety feature, by the brand that pioneered the use of it. As a result, the safety of occupants within the vehicle has been severely impacted."

Dacia, part of the Renault group, is another carmaker to see poor performance in the final round of safety testing this year.

The Euro NCAP tests found adult dummies were only offered 49% protection, which the company said "could result in life-threatening injuries in a real-life crash scenario."

The dummies, replicating children, were found to only have 56% protection.

However, The Dacia Spring is fitted with the airbag that had been removed from the new Renault Zoe, which protects against head injury in side impacts.

Matthew Avery said: "The 6-year-old dummy had weak protection, suggesting the forces of a crash could end in serious neck and head injuries. This is anything but a safe family car, despite being marketed as a good option for families."

Renault insist the cars are safe and meet all safety requirements.

In a statement, the company said: "Renault takes note of the results published by Euro NCAP following specific tests on Zoe E-Tech Electric according to its new protocol implemented in 2020.

"Renault reaffirms that Zoe E-Tech Electric is a safe vehicle, which complies with all regulatory safety standards. These standards are constantly evolving and are becoming more stringent in all domains, especially in safety. Renault therefore continually improves its offer in order to comply with the regulations applicable where its vehicles are sold.”

"The Zoe was launched in 2013 and received 5 stars with Euro NCAP protocol at that time. The Euro NCAP protocol has since 2013 undergone five changes. With the same equipment, a model can lose up to two stars in each protocol change."