ANCAP :: Vehicle Crash Report

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Overall: 32.69 out of 37

Variant: Sedan

Kerb Weight: 1460 kg

Year: 2000

Engine: 1.8L

Category: Luxury

Airbags: Dual front + side + curtain airbags

Vehicles tested after 1 January 2008 will require Electronic Stability Control in order achieve a 5 star rating. This vehicle was tested prior to this date and may or may not meet this new requirement.

The left-hand-drive European model was tested by EuroNCAP. Australasian specifications may vary and therefore models sold in Australasia might provide different levels of protection to those described on this page.

The tested model of Mercedes C-Class was introduced in Australia during 2000. Dual front airbags, side airbags and head-protecting side curtains are standard equipment. ABS brakes and electronic stability control are also standard. An advanced seat belt reminder is fitted to Australian models from April 2004. New Zealand models may have had the advanced seat belt reminder before that date.

The front seat belt buckles are mounted on the seats and the upper anchorages are adjustable. These features improve the fit of the seat belt. Pretensioners are fitted to the front seat belts to reduce slack in the event of a crash. A three point seat belt is fitted to the centre rear seat. This provides better protection than a two point seat belt.

The Mercedes C-Class scored 13.82 out of 16 in the offset crash test. The passenger compartment held its shape well. Protection from serious chest injury was marginal for the driver.
The vehicle scored 15.87 out of 16 in the side impact crash test. There was a slight risk of serious abdomen injury for the driver. A further 1 point was scored in the optional pole test.

The advanced seat belt reminder earned the vehicle a further 2 points and this gave a 5 star rating (minimum 32.5 pts).

Body region scores out of 4 points each: Head/neck 4pts, chest 2.49pts, upper legs 4pts, lower legs 3.33pts.

The passenger compartment held its shape well in the offset crash test. The brake pedal moved forwards by 78mm and downwards 27mm. The steering wheel hub moved rearwards 12mm and downwards 15mm. The front ("A") pillar moved 27mm rearwards. The width of the driver's doorway shortened by 27mm. All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash all doors could be opened with normal effort.

The airbag cushioned the head of the driver and contact was stable. The passenger's head was also cushioned by an airbag.

abdomen 3.87pts, pelvis 4pts.

The vehicle was eligible for an optional pole impact test, since it had head-protecting side airbags and scored four points for the head in the side impact test. The manufacturer decided to go ahead with the pole test. During the test there was concern about the deployment of the curtain and the vehicle earned one out of two points.


	Offset Crash Test at 64km/h		Side Impact Crash Test at 50km/h
	Driver	Pass.	Driver

HIC	360	372	49.3
Acceleration	46	49.3	24.4

Shear	0.35	0.44	None
Tension	0.03	0.04	None
Extension	None	None	None

Acceleration	None	None	None
Compression	32.6	30.1	20.47
Viscous Criterion	0.15	0.17	0.15

Force	None	None	1.05

Force	None	None	1.25

Force Left	0	2.22
Force Right	0	0.49
Knee Displ. Left	0.9	4.1
Knee Displ. Right	0.51	0.41

Force Left	1.44	2.06
Force Right	2.45	1.86
Index Left (Up/Low)	0.41/0.25	0.46/0.35
Index Right (Up/Low)	0.55/0.49	0.38/0.18