MG 3 'critical safety failure' exposes weakness in safety testing

In independent crash testing, the MG 3 experienced a "critical safety failure" not seen in almost 30 years of Euro NCAP testing… yet it still scored a four-star rating , which has also been applied by local safety authority ANCAP.

During the frontal offset crash test conducted by Euro NCAP, the light hatchback's driver's seat latching mechanism failed, causing the driver's seat to twist partway through the impact.

Naturally, this had an effect on the forces on the crash test dummy, leading Euro NCAP and ANCAP to give the MG 3 a 'poor' score for protection of the driver's legs.

The driver dummy's head was also found to "bottom out" the airbag against the steering wheel, resulting in a head protection rating of 'adequate'.

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