EUROPEAN NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME(Euro NCAP)

VEHICLE SELECTION, SPECIFICATION, TESTING AND RETESTING(VSSTR)
PROTOCOL

Version 7.4.2
November 2020

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EUROPEAN NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (Euro NCAP)VSSTR PROTOCOL

1

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 3
1.1

Definitions ........................................................................................................................ 3

2

THE ASSESSMENT YEAR .................................................................................................... 3

3

SPONSORSHIP AND MODEL NOMINATION ................................................................... 4

4

5

6

7

3.1

Euro NCAP Preconditions ............................................................................................. 4

3.2

Member Sponsored Models ........................................................................................... 4

3.3

Manufacturer Sponsored Models .................................................................................. 6

3.4

Third Party Sponsored Models...................................................................................... 7

SPECIFICATION OF TEST VEHICLES ............................................................................. 8
4.1

Basic Level Safety ........................................................................................................... 8

4.2

Test Variant ..................................................................................................................... 9

4.3

Optional Safety Equipment.......................................................................................... 10

4.4

Heavy Vehicles .............................................................................................................. 13

VEHICLE SELECTION AND STATUS OF TEST VEHICLE .......................................... 14
5.1

Status of Test Vehicle.................................................................................................... 14

5.2

Fitment of Non-Standard Components....................................................................... 15

TESTING, RETESTING AND REASSESSMENT ............................................................. 18
6.1

Testing ............................................................................................................................ 18

6.2

Retesting......................................................................................................................... 18

6.3

Reassessment ................................................................................................................. 19

PUBLICATION OF RESULTS ............................................................................................ 20
7.1

General Guidelines........................................................................................................ 20

7.2

Recalculation ................................................................................................................. 21

7.3

Republication of Existing Ratings ............................................................................... 22

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1

INTRODUCTION

This protocol details Euro NCAP’s procedures relating to the sponsorship, nomination and selectionof models to be assessed by Euro NCAP, the specification of vehicles to be tested, their testingarrangements, the circumstances when re-testing is allowed and the rules of publication.
1.1

Definitions

In this document, frequent references are made to terms as model release date, variant, model range,
safety equipment, etc. A list of definitions for these terms in the context of this protocol can befound in the Appendix.
‘The market’ refers to the Euro NCAP Area of Application (EAA), defined in Technical Bulletin
002.
2

THE ASSESSMENT YEAR

The Assessment Year is defined as the calendar year in which the rating is first published by EuroNCAP or by ANCAP if the result is being republished (see Section 7.3).

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3

SPONSORSHIP AND MODEL NOMINATIONEuro NCAP’s internal rules stipulate that each of the Members sponsors at least one vehicle modela year. In addition, vehicle manufacturers often wish to sponsor a vehicle so that the results may
be published at a preferred time, such as the vehicle’s public launch. Euro NCAP applies a set ofrules to address the most common situations where conflicts may occur.
3.1

Euro NCAP Preconditions

3.1.1 Vehicle models can be nominated for inclusion in Euro NCAP’s assessment programme by
a Euro NCAP Member, a vehicle manufacturer, or any third party. By nominating a model,
the party agrees to accept the costs related to the assessment and publication of the result.
3.1.2 Subject to 3.1.3, any vehicle model currently on sale in the EAA can be nominated. No
consideration is given to:••

Sales volume;
Method of type-approval (whole vehicle, low volume, etc.).

3.1.3 Vehicles that have a valid rating cannot be nominated, except in case of a re-assessment (see6.3).
Note: The validity of the rating is defined in the Application of Star Ratings protocol.
3.1.4 The choice of vehicle model to be assessed by Euro NCAP shall be made by the sponsor.
Sponsors are encouraged to nominate their choice of vehicle as soon as possible but no later
than 1st of September of the year in which tests must take place.
3.1.5 A vehicle model must be on sale in the same calendar year that the Euro NCAP star rating
is awarded. ‘On sale’ means that cars must be at dealers in some parts of the EAA before
the end of the year, and these cars must be sellable i.e. customers should be able to buy thevehicles if they wish.
3.2

Member Sponsored Models

3.2.1 Where a Manufacturer wishes to sponsor a vehicle model already nominated a Member, theMember will have the first right, subject to section 3.2.2.
3.2.2 Where a manufacturer wishes to sponsor the testing of a new vehicle model alreadynominated by a Member, the following conditions apply:
3.2.2.1. Up to 12 months before the model release date, the manufacturer has exclusive rights tosponsor the testing of that vehicle. Once the formal agreement to sponsor the vehicle ismade, it cannot be cancelled, and the manufacturer is obliged to inform Euro NCAP of any
changes in the model release date.

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3.2.2.2. After 12 months prior to the model release date, the manufacturer loses the exclusive rightto sponsor the vehicle. A manufacturer may take over the sponsorship commitment from
the Member or third party, provided they agree to comply with the following requirements:••••

The choice of drive (LHD or RHD) and the choice of test laboratory are not changed.
The publication date of the Euro NCAP result is not later than 3 months after customers
first receive their cars;
If the rating is delayed beyond the 3-month deadline, the car being sold becomes
eligible for testing. If a member wishes to assume or resume sponsorship, the car onsale to the public will be tested.
The manufacturer may continue with sponsorship of the model if different results are
expected from later cars. However, publication of the rating will not be sooner thanpublication of the member-sponsored tests on earlier cars.

3.2.2.3. If the member-sponsored tests on earlier cars cannot be completed against the current
assessment year, the car will be assessed against the protocols of the following year. In thecase where the manufacturer has taken over sponsorship, the Member may nominate analternative vehicle model.
3.2.3 Where a manufacturer wishes to sponsor the testing of any other vehicle model alreadynominated by a Member or third party, the following conditions apply:
3.2.3.1. The manufacturer may take over the sponsorship commitment from the Member, provided
they agree to comply with the following requirements:•••

The publication date is not delayed by more than 3 months.
The choice of drive (LHD or RHD) and the choice of test laboratory are not changed.
If publication is delayed by more than 3 months, the car being sold becomes eligible
for testing. See section 3.3.2.

3.2.3.2. A manufacturer may advise Euro NCAP that a vehicle model which has been chosen forsponsorship by a Member is soon to be replaced by a newer version. If so, the manufacturer
may request that the updated model be tested.
•••

If this is expected to delay publication by more than 3 months, the request will only be
accepted if the manufacturer agrees to take over sponsorship of the vehicle. The choiceof drive (LHD or RHD) must not be affected;
Publication of the results for the updated vehicle model cannot be delayed beyond 3
months after customers first deliveries of the newer version to customers;
Euro NCAP reserves the right to test the original vehicle model if the above conditions
are not met (see 3.3.2).

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3.3

Manufacturer Sponsored Models

3.3.1 Where a third party wishes to sponsor the testing of any vehicle model already nominatedby a manufacturer, the manufacturer will have the first right.
3.3.2 Where the manufacturer has nominated a new vehicle or an updated vehicle which is not
yet made available to consumers at the time of nomination, the following needs to be taken
into account:
•

•
•
•

The publication date of the Euro NCAP result must not be later than 3 months after
customers first receive their cars;
Note: This requirement will be waived if the schedule cannot be met because of a test
or other failure on Euro NCAP’s part.
If the rating is delayed beyond the 3-month deadline, the car being sold becomes
eligible for testing. If a member wishes to assume or resume sponsorship, the car onsale to the public will be tested.
The manufacturer may continue with sponsorship of the model if different results are
expected from later cars. However, publication of the rating will not be sooner thanpublication of the member -sponsored tests on earlier cars.
If the member -sponsored tests on earlier cars cannot be completed against the current
assessment year, the car will be assessed against the protocols of the following year.

Note: these restrictions shall not apply if the manufacturer wishes to sponsor a vehicle
which is currently on sale and which is not going to be updated.
3.3.3 Up to 12 months before the model release date, the manufacturer has exclusive rights tosponsor the testing of that vehicle. Once the formal agreement to sponsor the vehicle ismade, it cannot be cancelled, and the manufacturer is obliged to inform Euro NCAP of any
changes in the model release date.
3.3.4 After 12 months prior to the model release date, the manufacturer loses the exclusive rightto sponsor the vehicle. A manufacturer may take over the sponsorship commitment from theMember, provided they agree to comply with the following requirements:••••

The choice of drive (LHD or RHD) and the choice of test laboratory are not changed.
The publication date of the Euro NCAP result is not later than 3 months after customers
first receive their cars;
If the rating is delayed beyond the 3-month deadline, the car being sold becomes
eligible for testing. If a member wishes to assume or resume sponsorship, the car onsale to the public will be tested.
The manufacturer may continue with sponsorship of the model if different results are
expected from later cars. However, publication of the rating will not be sooner thanpublication of the member -sponsored tests on earlier cars.

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3.3.5 Where a manufacturer wishes to sponsor the testing of a vehicle model already nominatedby a Member or third party, the manufacturer may take over the sponsorship commitment
from the Member or third party, provided they agree to comply with the following
requirements:••
3.4

The publication date is not delayed by more than 3 months;
The choice of drive (LHD or RHD) and the choice of test laboratory are not changed.

Third Party Sponsored Models

3.4.1 Where a third party (for example an organisation which wishes to sponsor the testing of avehicle or vehicle type which is of particular relevance to its activities) wishes to sponsor
the testing of a vehicle model already nominated by a manufacturer or Member, themanufacturer or Member will have the first right.

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4

SPECIFICATION OF TEST VEHICLESEven though different vehicle variants may offer different levels of protection, it is not always
possible for Euro NCAP to rate all variants of a vehicle model available in the EAA individually.
The star rating is intended to cover the most popular variant(s) and represent the lowest safety
specification at the same time. For this reason, the test variant of the model is derived frommanufacturers’ data that includes model range availability and safety equipment fitted in the EAA.
The choice of test variant is independent from the sponsorship model. This section covers vehicle
test specification for base rating and optional dual rating.
ANCAP reserves the right of final choice of test variant for vehicles included in its test program.
Note: Euro NCAP applies conditions for the assessment of model variants set out in the Applicationof Star Ratings protocol, whereby ratings can be extended to include additional variants within amodel range, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
4.1

Basic Level Safety

4.1.1 The base test variant will have Basic Level Safety Equipment. The Basic Level willcomprise those items that are fitted as standard across the model range. Only safety
equipment which is part of the Basic Level will be eligible for assessment and may
contribute towards the scoring of the vehicle.
4.1.2 Notwithstanding paragraph 4.1.1, some protocols also consider equipment that does not
qualify as Basic Level Safety Equipment. This might apply, for example, where optional
equipment might compromise the ability of the vehicle to accommodate certain occupantsin certain positions (e.g. optional front passenger airbag), or where optional equipment isrelevant to a full assessment of the vehicle (e.g. optional third row seats). Details are given
in individual protocols.
4.1.3 The Basic Level will be determined as follows. The manufacturer will be asked to complete
an Equipment Matrix template, which will be supplied by Euro NCAP. In the matrix, themanufacturer must identify all items of safety equipment available in the model range andstate whether they are standard on all variants or optional on some.
Note 1: in identifying the Basic Level equipment, Euro NCAP may exempt certain low
volume variants where the fitting of such safety equipment cannot be expected. For example,
this might include low sales volume variants specially produced for motor sport or otherspecial purposes.
Note 2: Delete options are not allowed. An item of safety equipment offered with a delete
option anywhere in the EAA will be considered not to be standard equipment.

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4.1.3.1. For new models, the data in the completed Equipment Matrix must be based on sales
forecasts over the period of 1 year from the date of the publication of the rating result.
Euro NCAP will ask the manufacturer to confirm the projected fitment figures one year
after publication and each subsequent year as long as the rating is valid (Annual review,
see Application of Star Ratings protocol).
4.1.3.2. For models already on sale for one year or more, the data in the completed Equipment
Matrix must be based on actual sales figures over the previous year. Euro NCAP will ask
the manufacturer to confirm the fitment figures one year after publication and eachsubsequent year if the rating is valid (Annual review, see Application of Star Ratings
protocol).
4.2

Test Variant

4.2.1 Regarding all non-safety related features and equipment of the vehicle, the test variant will
be based on the best-selling variant in the EAA. However, if the exact specification of thebest-selling variant is not readily available or cannot be acquired, Euro NCAP may test avariant with non-safety equipment other than the best-seller. In all cases, the safety
equipment will be based on the base safety level and the engine transmission and powertrain
will be based on the best-seller.
4.2.2 The best-selling variant will be identified from the information supplied by the manufacturer
or sales data. Where Euro NCAP chooses to test a particular, less common, variant such as“open-top” or “estate vehicle,” the choice will be restricted to the best-selling variant of thattype. Manufacturers can also sponsor such tests, provided that the vehicle model has alreadybeen rated without this constraint.
Note: Where OEMs can demonstrate that a rating for a model can be extended to such lesscommon variants in accordance with the Application of Star Ratings protocol, official tests
may not be required.
4.2.3 Where the best-selling variant is fitted with safety equipment above the Basic Level, thechoice of variant will be adjusted to obtain a Basic Level safety specification variant. The
aim will be to minimise the extent of the other changes to the vehicle’s specification. Thisadjustment may be done with reference to limits and criteria set out within the Applicationof Star Rating protocol.
4.2.4 Where a vehicle, or the required variant, is to be available only in one hand of drive, that
hand of drive will be tested. Where a manufacturer sponsors a vehicle model for publication
at the time of its launch, and where only one hand of drive is available on that date, that
hand of drive will be tested. In all other circumstances, Euro NCAP will be responsible for
randomly choosing the drive layout for all vehicle models to be tested.
Note 1: Euro NCAP will report the proportion of vehicles tested in LHD and RHD to theBoard of Directors. Overall, the aim will be to ensure that 20 percent of vehicle models
tested will be in RHD configuration.

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Note 2: the manufacturer is asked to supply information about the performance of the
opposite hand of drive. Where necessary, the manufacturer will be asked to provide
evidence that the necessary adjustments have not significantly affected the passenger
compartment’s intrusion or deceleration pulse.
4.2.5 Whiplash seats will be tested separately from the vehicle. The manufacturer will be required
to supply Euro NCAP with details about the full range of seats available for that model ofvehicle and of any differences between the driver and front passenger’s seats in the Basic
Level vehicle that might influence Whiplash protection. Euro NCAP will choose whether
to test the driver’s or front passenger’s seat. Where no significant differences exist, this will
be on a random basis. Where there are differences, the seat considered least likely to offer
good protection will be chosen. Manufacturers are allowed to sponsor the testing of otherversions of their seats and the whiplash ratings of those seats will also be published.
4.2.6 If the vehicle manufacturer does not submit the Equipment Matrix, Euro NCAP will test thevehicles with the lowest specification that can be readily obtained in the EAA.
4.3

Optional Safety Equipment

If a vehicle has achieved a base rating of three stars or greater, it becomes eligible for an optionalstar rating showing the benefit of optional safety equipment. Regardless of the sponsor of the basesafety rating, all activities required to establish the optional star rating will be paid for by the
manufacturer. A request for a dual star rating can only be made by the manufacturer and must be
made before test vehicle selection.
4.3.1 Safety Equipment
4.3.1.1. The assessment for the optional star rating may include those items of safety equipment
for which Euro NCAP gives credit in the year of assessment (see table below) but which
are not eligible for inclusion in the base rating because they are not fitted as standard to
the model range.

AEB City
Rescue (Advanced e-Call)
AEB Pedestrian
AEB Pedestrian (CPTA, CPRA, ESS/AES)AEB Cyclist (all scenarios, ESS/AES)
AEB/LSS PTWAEB Inter-Urban
AEB C2C (CCRs (ESS/AES), CCFtap, Crossing)
LSS (ELK)SAS (ISA)OSM (Direct Driver Monitoring)

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Roadmap 2015-2020
Roadmap 2020-2025

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4.3.1.2. No passive safety technologies (airbags, inflatable seatbelts, etc.) are eligible forassessment as optional equipment (i.e. for inclusion in Table 1 below).
4.3.1.3. Euro NCAP may over time add or update items on the list of eligible technologies andestablish for each item on a case per case basis the duration for which inclusion in theoptional pack will be allowed.
4.3.2 Safety Pack
4.3.2.1. The additional items of safety equipment must be combined in a ‘safety pack’. The ‘safety
pack’ must:•••

Include all the technologies needed to achieve the targeted optional rating. The
minimum number of safety technologies included in a pack is one.
Be available, at least as an option, on all variants in the model range, independent ofengine, transmission, body style or trim-level (grade) and separately from any otheroption offered by the manufacturer, for:• all countries of the Euro NCAP Area of Application.
Not change in (rating relevant) content during the lifetime of the Euro NCAP star
rating, other than when relevant technologies are made standard on all variants, orwhen equivalent performance can be achieved by a different technology (for example,
a camera-based AEB system may be replaced by a radar + camera based system if its
performance can be shown to be at least as good)

4.3.2.2. The safety pack may:
•
•
•

•

Include only those items of safety equipment which are needed for the manufacturer
to achieve the targeted optional rating.
Include other items of equipment, not relevant to Euro NCAP’s rating, which the
manufacturer sees fit to include in the safety pack for marketing or other purposes.
Not be the only way in which the manufacturer sells safety technology relevant to theoptional rating. The manufacturer may sell safety technologies individually or in otheroption packs. However, Euro NCAP will consider fitment rates of the safety pack only
i.e. the fitment rates referred to in 4.3.3 refer to sales of the safety pack and not toindividual safety items or technologies.
Contain a sub-set of the technologies needed for the optional star rating, depending on
country or region. For example, where all relevant technologies are fitted as standard
to all variants there is no need for a safety pack; where one or more technology isstandard on all variants, the safety pack may contain only those other technologies
needed to achieve the optional rating.

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4.3.3 Installation Rates
4.3.3.1. For a vehicle to be eligible for an optional rating, the manufacturer must confirm that they
expect that 25 percent (average percentage) of the cars sold in the first three years
following publication of the optional rating will be equipped with the safety pack, either
as standard equipment or as an option. In the second three years, the manufacturer confirms
a fitment of 55 percent average. The rating expires after six years, as today.
4.3.3.2. Two years after the publication of the optional rating, the manufacturer must contact theEuro NCAP Programme Manager with sales data demonstrating that 25 percent of cars
sold in the previous two years were equipped with the safety pack, either as standard
equipment or as an option. Where the content of the safety pack differs between regions
or countries, a check will be made that 25 percent of cars sold were simultaneously
equipped, as standard or as an option, with all the technologies relevant to the optional star
rating.
4.3.3.3. Five years after the publication of the optional rating, the manufacturer must contact theEuro NCAP Programme Manager with sales data demonstrating that 55 percent of cars
sold in the previous two years were equipped with the safety pack, either as standard
equipment or as an option. Where the content of the safety pack differs between regions
or countries, a check will be made that 55 percent of cars sold were simultaneously
equipped, as standard or as an option, with all the technologies relevant to the optional star
rating.
4.3.3.4. Failure to contact Euro NCAP with the data required, or failure to meet the fitment rates
identified in 4.3.3.2 and 4.3.3.3, will result in the following actions:••

A comment will immediately be added to the vehicle’s web page on Euro NCAP’s
website to say that the manufacturer is not currently meeting its commitment topromote and sell the safety pack.
A period of one year will be given to the manufacturer to meet the fitment rates

4.3.3.5. If the two-year target is missed then three years after the release of the optional star rating
25 percent of cars sold over the first three years must have been equipped with the safety
pack, either as standard equipment or as an option.
4.3.3.6. If the five-year target is missed then six years after the release of the optional star rating
55 percent of cars sold over the second three years must have been equipped with the safety
pack, either as standard equipment or as an option.
4.3.3.7. Failure to meet the fitment rates identified in 4.3.3.5 or 4.3.3.6 will result in the optionalstar rating being removed from Euro NCAP’s website and the manufacturer being
precluded from making any further use of the optional rating for that specific model. EuroNCAP may exclude the manufacturer from making use of the dual rating for futureassessments.

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4.3.4 Test Variant
4.3.4.1. The variant tested for the optional rating shall be the same as identified for the base rating(section 4). This includes engine, transmission, body style and hand of drive.
4.4

Heavy Vehicles

4.4.1 A vehicle type may be defined as a ‘Heavy Vehicle’ if there exists within the model range
at least one variant meeting all of the following criteria:••••

M1 category.
Maximum Mass (Gross Vehicle Weight) > 2500kg and <3500kg.
8 or 9 seats, including the driver’s seat.
Derived from commercial vehicle.

Euro NCAP does not intend to assess vehicles intended primarily for commercial use or those where
the majority of variants have a gross vehicle weight greater than 3500kg, even if the criteria set out
above are met. In such cases, the manufacturer should discuss with the programme manager
whether the application of this protocol is appropriate.
4.4.2 For vehicles which fall into this category, the following table details how ‘Base Safety
Equipment’ is defined:
Item of Safety Equipment

Criteria in order to be included in Base Safety Rating

Frontal airbags
Seatbelt Reminder(rear SBR not applicable to N1)
All other safety equipment

4.4.3

Standard on M1 (up to 3500kg) and at least optional on N1
excluding chassis cab variants of both categories

Standard on M1 only
(up to 3500kg)

For ‘Heavy Vehicles’, the test variant is identified as follows. The manufacturer shallidentify the M1 variant (excluding chassis cabs) which sells better than any other single M1
variant (excluding chassis cabs). The test vehicle shall be the variant which is nearest to thebest seller having the following characteristics:•••

Is equipped only with the base safety equipment identified in 3.1.1.
Has two distinct front seats (no bench seats).
Has eight or nine seats.

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5

VEHICLE SELECTION AND STATUS OF TEST VEHICLE

To ensure that the rating remains credible at all times, it is essential that all vehicles selected fortesting are exactly the same as those vehicles offered for sale to consumers. Ideally this means thattest vehicles are taken from the production line. Many times, however, this is conflicting with the
manufactures’ time line where ratings must be available at model release date and small adjustments
to production are made during ramp up of production. The following provides guidance on thesematters.
5.1

Status of Test Vehicle

5.1.1 The vehicles tested must be of the same production status as for those offered for sale toconsumers at or before the time of publication of the new result.
5.1.2 The method of procuring test vehicles of the correct specification will be chosen by Euro
NCAP. The vehicles selected for testing must be:••••

Fully type-approved (i.e. a certificate of conformity/Identification Plate Approval(IPA) should be available for the vehicles, if requested)
From serial production.
Capable of being legally sold, new or in the aftermarket, to the general public without
modification
Selected at random.

Note: New models are generally produced in small numbers during the early stages of
production (“ramp-up”), leading to full-volume production within a few months. Vehicles
from such early production phases are acceptable, so long as they comply with therequirements set out above.
5.1.3 At least three seats are required for Whiplash testing, which may be procured separatelyfrom the vehicle. Where unrealistically high charges or long lead times for the selected testseats are quoted by the manufacturer, Euro NCAP is given discretion to refrain from testingseats. In such cases, the Whiplash score will be set to zero.
5.1.4 The manufacturer may advise Euro NCAP that a vehicle scheduled for testing will havecertain safety components changed prior to the expected publication date. Where thishappens, the updated components may be retrofitted to the test vehicles, provided thefollowing requirements are met:••••

The components are installed to the same standard as used in production.
The components are manufactured using production procedures. Prototype
components are not allowed.
Where the component has to be certified by an approval authority, such certification
has been carried out.
Once a vehicle has been tested, assessment and testing of modified components are
subject to the requirements of section 6.2.

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5.2

Fitment of Non-Standard Components

5.2.1 The fitment of prototype components, or any parts not fitted to mainstream production
vehicles, is not allowed, whether safety related or not. Where non-standard or prototype
components are thought to have been fitted to any of the vehicles tested (e.g. ‘sample’ or‘prototype’ labels are found during inspection), the following will apply:
5.2.1.1. Selection using the 20 VIN method will not be allowed for the next two vehicle models of
the manufacturer concerned. Selection by other methods will be required (select fromdealer stock, plant visit etc.) and will be done no sooner than 1 month after customers firsttake delivery of cars.
5.2.1.2. Euro NCAP may carry out an audit of the production plant to understand the cause of theanomalous parts or labels.
5.2.1.3. The manufacturer may be required to sponsor one or more audit tests. These will be repeats
of at least one of the main impact tests using vehicles known to have come frommainstream production. The results of the tests will be compared with the original results.
Guidance regarding audit testing and the use that is made of the results are given in section
5.2.2.
5.2.1.4. The star rating will not be published until the results of the audit test are known. If this
delays publication of the rating to the following calendar year, the manufacturer will be
required to sponsor any additional or repeat testing that may be needed to generate a valid
rating for that following year.
5.2.1.5. Where the manufacturer does not agree to sponsor testing of the standard specification
vehicle, its testing may be sponsored by Euro NCAP and the presence of prototype
components will be published.
5.2.2 It is not possible to foresee every circumstance in which Euro NCAP may need to repeat
tests in order to confirm results and vehicle ratings. The following is intended as a guide towhen audit tests are likely to be required and the use that will be made of the results of thosetests.
5.2.3 The need for an audit test depends on the method by which the original test vehicles wereobtained. Where cars were originally selected from a list of VINs supplied by the
manufacturer or selected in person from a limited number of pre-prepared cars, the need foran audit test will be considered high in any of the circumstances outlined in 5.2.1. Wherecars were bought anonymously from dealers, the need for an audit test will be consideredlow. In other cases, consideration will be given to the methods used and the possibility ofinterference by the OEM with the test vehicles.

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5.2.4 Audit tests may be required even if the labels found are not on safety-specific components.
The presence of labels stating, for example, ‘prototype’ or ‘sample’ throws into question the
production status of the vehicles, regardless of the specific components on which they arefound.
Where labels have been found on a safety-related component, an audit test may be required
for the crash configuration to which that component relates (e.g. frontal impact tests wherea label has been found on the driver’s frontal airbag). However, it may also be necessary to
perform audit tests in other configurations not directly related to the safety function of thelabelled component if, for example, there is reason to question the broader production statusof the original test vehicles.
5.2.5 Cars for audit testing will be obtained either•••

From a dealer
From pre-built stock vehicles (e.g. at a distribution centre)
From a production line

All cars must be transported immediately to the test laboratory
5.2.6 Where possible, the test laboratory for the audit test shall be the same one used for theoriginal tests.
5.2.7 Where an audit test has been performed, the results will be compared with those of theoriginal tests. The following will apply:•••

The original test results will be used if the audit test shows:• Scores for all adult body-regions and relevant child dynamic scores no poorer
than 0.85 x original test result and• No differences in structural behaviour or safety equipment performance (such as
door opening, incorrect airbag deployment etc.) from the original test.
It will be concluded that a non-production component was used in the original test andthe results of the audit test will be published where the audit test shows:• A score for an adult body-region relevant to the suspect component (or the
relevant child dynamic score) less than 0.85 x original test result and all othervalues are within 15% of the original or• Differences in relevant structural behaviour or relevant safety equipment
performance (such as door opening, incorrect airbag deployment etc.) from theoriginal test.
Where the score for an adult body-region relevant to the function of the suspectcomponent (or the relevant child dynamic score) is within 85% of the original test
result but an unrelated body region differs by more than 15%, or where a safety issue
has been found which is or is not related to the original reason for the audit test, therequirements governing re-testing will be applied (section 6.2). Where a manufacturer
does not comply with these rules, the result of the audit test will be published. Wherea manufacturer chooses to improve the performance of the vehicle, publication of a
result will be postponed until the modified vehicle can be tested and a valid rating
established.

November 202016

Note: The fitment of non-standard components is not the only reason for which audit tests
may be conducted. Audit tests may be conducted on any make / model at any point in thelife of a vehicle or its existing rating, as determined by Euro NCAP.

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6

TESTING, RETESTING AND REASSESSMENT

6.1

Testing

6.1.1 Euro NCAP will be ultimately responsible for choosing the test laboratory for all vehicles.
A vehicle will be tested at the laboratory chosen by the sponsor unless there are compelling
reasons to do otherwise.
6.1.2 Notwithstanding 6.1.1, a manufacturer may not test more than three cars consecutively at
any one laboratory. This applies regardless of the brand of vehicle or the sponsor. After
three consecutive tests, the manufacturer must propose a different laboratory for asubsequent test and this must be agreed with Euro NCAP. This rule is applied separately for‘full’ test series leading to a new assessment and to ‘partial’ test series, such as those neededto add a variant to an existing assessment, for example.
6.1.3 All tests will be carried out according to the latest protocols published on Euro NCAP’s
website. The laboratory is responsible for accurate application of the protocols and keeping
test equipment up to date.
6.1.4 Before each test, the laboratory must check that vehicles and other components scheduled
for testing meet the vehicle test specification (see 4.2). Testing of vehicles that do not meet
the test specification may invalidate the result and lead to retesting at the expense of thelaboratory.
6.2

Retesting

6.2.1 In some cases, a retest may be requested by Euro NCAP, the laboratory or manufacturer. A
re-test may be allowed under the following circumstances:
6.2.1.1. Where a test does not meet Euro NCAP Test Protocol requirements it will be repeatedunless the failure does not materially affect the rating of the vehicle.
••

Where the failure is the responsibility of the test laboratory, they shall be responsible
for carrying out the retest without charge.
The responsibility for funding the replacement vehicle and components is that of thetest’s sponsor.

6.2.1.2. Modification and re-testing is allowed if an Unexpected or Undesired Vehicle Performance
problem is identified at a Euro NCAP test carried out not later than four months from thetime when public customers first take delivery of their vehicles. In such cases, thefollowing conditions must be met for a re-test to be allowed:•••

The manufacturer has identified deficiencies and can satisfy Euro NCAP andinspectors that the proposed modifications will significantly improve safety.
The improvement will be incorporated in all production vehicles by the time EuroNCAP publishes its assessment of the vehicle.
By an official recall or by equivalent market action acceptable to Euro NCAP, themanufacturer makes provision to update all vehicles already in use in the EAA. This

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•
•
•

includes vehicles which have not been offered for sale to the public but have been
provided on loan to the press, management etc. The recall must be specific to theidentified problem and must be initiated by the time the assessment is published.
The results of the retested vehicles are available prior to the vehicle being first offered
for sale in the EAA.
Publication of the vehicle’s assessment is not delayed by more than 3 months.
The manufacturer funds all work related to the retest.
Note: Where there is a failure, or partial failure, of safety related equipment, EuroNCAP may withhold publication of the test results, pending investigation of the failure.

6.3

Reassessment

6.3.1 A vehicle model which has previously been rated may be reassessed under one or other ofthe following circumstances:
6.3.1.1. A manufacturer wishes to have the vehicle reassessed to reflect changes which have been
made to the performance of the vehicle. Reassessment in such circumstances is allowed if:••

The result of the vehicle has not been re-calculated in the same calendar year;
The manufacturer can demonstrate that there has been a significant improvement tosafety, either through better performance (e.g. improved knee protection or airbag
response) or to fitment (e.g. standardisation of ESC)

6.3.1.2. A vehicle’s original rating is no longer considered valid as a result of an annual or facelift
review (see Application of Star Ratings protocol) or because the original rating is morethan six years old. In such cases, the vehicle becomes eligible for reassessment by EuroNCAP member, the vehicle manufacturer or third party.
Note: A vehicle model is not eligible for reassessment if, at all annual and facelift reviews, its
original rating is considered valid for the current vehicle.

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7

PUBLICATION OF RESULTS

7.1

General Guidelines

7.1.1 Under normal circumstances, once the vehicle has been tested and the data are available andverified, the results will be published by Euro NCAP. Manufacturers will not be able topropose further modifications leading to a retest and may not make use of the star rating, ormake reference to it, until the result has been published by Euro NCAP.
7.1.2 The rating with the details of the test vehicle specification will be published as part of thenormal release schedule on the date agreed with the sponsor. Euro NCAP will publish thebase star rating (and optional rating if available) and additional information (percentage
scores, coloured men etc.) on its website.
7.1.3 An optional rating must be published at the same time as the base rating, using the protocols
relevant to the assessments in the year of publication (i.e. both ratings must carry the ‘datestamp’ of the year when the rating was done). This means that an optional rating cannot berequested after the publication of a base rating has occurred.
7.1.4 Euro NCAP will inform the vehicle manufacturer in advance of the target date forpublication of the result on the website.. This target date is generally no later than twomonths from the date of completion of testing and assessment. Euro NCAP tries to avoid
publishing the result of only a single vehicle or a single brand of vehicle at any one time,
preferring to group ratings together. If it becomes apparent that such a situation will arise,Euro NCAP may inform the vehicle manufacturer that publication of the result is to bedelayed.
7.1.5 Where a vehicle has been retested, the following applies:
7.1.5.1. The rating will, if possible, be published as originally intended. If the original release datecannot be met, the result will be published as soon as possible after the originally-intended
launch date (but no more delayed than 3 months).
7.1.5.2. If all the above conditions are met and Euro NCAP is satisfied that no member of the
public will receive a vehicle of the specification originally tested, Euro NCAP will not
publish information about the problem identified or the manufacturer’s actions. Where
specific market action has been required by the manufacturer a part of the retest, EuroNCAP reserves the right to bring this to the attention of the consumer at the time of the
publication of the result.
7.1.6 Where a vehicle has been re-assessed, the following applies:
7.1.6.1. The rating will be published as part of the normal release schedule.
7.1.6.2. The result of a reassessment will be published alongside the original rating, with a VIN
build date identifying the first vehicle produced to which the new assessment applies. The
original rating will identify, by means of a VIN build date, the final vehicle to which it
applied.
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7.1.7 Where an audit test is required, the following applies:
7.1.7.1. A vehicle’s rating will not be published until the results of the audit test (including
inspection) are known and demonstrate good correlation with the original test results.
7.1.7.2. The rating will be based on the original test data and published as part of the normal release
schedule if the results of the audit test demonstrate that the performance difference is
acceptable.
7.1.7.3. If the differences between the results of the audit test differ unacceptably from the original
results, Euro NCAP may require that all relevant tests are repeated on vehicles whose
production status is certain, and publication of the rating will be delayed.
7.1.7.4. Euro NCAP reserves the right to publish information about the presence of non-standard
or prototype components.
7.2

Recalculation

7.2.1 Euro NCAP gives manufacturers the exclusive right to update a vehicle’s rating to a later
assessment regime (year) than was originally applied, based on the original test data.
7.2.2 The following conditions apply for recalculation:
7.2.2.1. Euro NCAP’s assessment scheme has changed with respect to the original rules underwhich the car was rated.
7.2.2.2. The safety performance of the vehicle to which the new rating applies has not changed
compared to the original tested model.
7.2.2.3. The original test data are not older than 3 years.
7.2.2.4. The vehicle to which the new rating applies will be on sale for at least two more years.
7.2.3 The requirements (threshold, balance values etc.) applicable to the year of recalculation will
be used to recalculate the result.
7.2.4 By requesting a recalculation, the manufacturer agrees to sponsor the required tests.
7.2.5 Re-calculation of a vehicle result will preclude a reassessment in the same year. If thevehicle has an optional rating, both base and optional rating must be recalculated. The
original safety Pack fitment requirements will continue to apply.
7.2.6 The deadline for request to recalculate a vehicle rating shall be December 1 of the preceding
year, allowing time for Euro NCAP to schedule additional tests, if required.
7.2.7 The results of recalculations will be released at the first opportunity in the year.

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7.3

Republication of Existing Ratings

7.3.1 Launch dates may vary by region and as a result it is possible for vehicle models to be tested
in one region (e.g. the EAA) before those models are offered as new in another (eg.
Australasia). In these cases, Euro NCAP may republish an existing Euro NCAP rating,provided that each of the following conditions are met:a. The following tests must be repeated by Euro NCAP:•••

Frontal ODBSide AE-MDB
CRS installation (using Euro NCAP’s CRS list)

The manufacturer demonstrates that the existing ANCAP tests are also applicable tomodel variants in the EAA in accordance with the Application of Star Ratings protocol.
b. The rating in Australasia is issued within 12 months of local market introduction 1 inAustralasia.
0F

c. The rating is re-published in the EAA at the time of local market introduction.
d. The rating is published in the EAA no more than one calendar year after the original
ANCAP rating was published.
Where Euro NCAP and ANCAP publish the rating in the same calendar year, conditions
7.3.1b) and 7.3.1c) may not apply.
7.3.2 Where a vehicle model meets the conditions of 7.3.1, the manufacturer may request
Recalculation in accordance Section 7.2. Sections 7.2.6 and 7.2.7 will not be applied inthese cases.
7.3.3 Where the Base Level safety differs between markets, Euro NCAP may reassess the vehicle
model based on the criteria of the Assessment Year (Section 2.) applicable to the original
rating.
7.3.4 Where the conditions of Section 7.3.1 are not met, the vehicle becomes eligible forassessment against the latest requirements.

‘Local market introduction’ means the date of first retail customer registration of the vehicle in the EAA/Australasianmarket.
1

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Example 1:
A model is introduced in the EAA in February 2018 and a rating published by Euro NCAP in
September 2018 (within twelve months of introduction). That model is then introduced toAustralasia during 2019. ANCAP may republish the 2018 Euro NCAP rating provided that:b) The manufacturer demonstrates that the existing Euro NCAP star rating is applicable toAustralasian variants.
c) The rating is published by ANCAP at local launch before 1 January 2020.
Example 2:
A model has a rating published by ANCAP in 2018 and that model is then introduced to the EAA
during 2020. Euro NCAP will not republish the 2018 ANCAP rating. This model becomes eligible
for assessment against the latest requirements.

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Appendix – Definitions
Model Range
Minimum Percentage
Model release dateReassessment

Recalculation

RetestSafety Equipment

Variant

November 2020

All the variants (i.e. all body styles, engine and equipment grades)
available across Europeunder a common model name or designation
The lowest proportion of sales, expressed as a percentage, which an
item of safety equipment must meet as standard equipment to be
included as part of the Basic Level equipment.
The date set by the manufacturer at which a new vehicle is first being
offered to consumers in any part of Europe.
A new assessment by Euro NCAP of a vehicle which has previously
been rated but has undergone a significant safety update. The reassessed rating is based on all requirements (Minimum Percentage for
Basic Level equipment, threshold, balance values etc.) applicable atthe time of reassessment. Depending on the changes made to thevehicle, it may not be necessary to repeat all aspects of the assessment.
The results of a re-assessment are published alongside the original
rating.
The updating of a vehicle’s rating to a later assessment regime than
was originally applied where the vehicle’s safety performance has notchanged. The recalculated rating is based on all requirements(Minimum Percentage for Basic Level equipment, threshold, balancevalues etc.) applicable at the time of recalculation. Additional tests
may or may not be necessary, but the exercise utilizes results alreadyobtained and applies the updated requirements to them.
A repeat of one or more parts of a vehicle’s assessment which replaces
the original result. The original invalid result is not published by EuroNCAP.
That equipment which is overtly aimed at improving safety. It includes
but is not necessarily limited to: Restraint systems, including headrestraints, child restraints and anchorages; Knee and leg protection;
Breakaway pedal arrangements; Pedestrian friendly devices (unlessthey are only required for particular engine compartment packages);
Seat belt reminder systems, Safety marking/labels and switches. Note:
It does not include: Engine/transmission volume; Road wheel/tyre size,
Sun roof, etc.
A unique combination of body style, engine and equipment grade or
specification.

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