Car safety and child seats Top five tips for buying a safe car

Make sure your new car is as safe as possible

Don't be pressured into buying a car if it doesn't have the safety features you want

1. Do your homework and find out what the Which? safety rating in our car tests is for the car you're considering, and how it performed in the Euro NCAP tests. Look at the details of the tests, and not just the headline star ratings.

2. Take your children and their child seats to the showroom for a trial fitting. Make sure all your children can fit safely in the vehicle using suitable restraints. This is an expensive purchase to make, and it must carry you and your family safely and without a fuss.

3. Don't accept a vehicle from stock unless it has all the safety features you want. 'Special edition’ vehicles often can't be fitted with factory-fit options like ESC, so don't be pressured into buying one unless it has the spec you want.

4. Don't be baffled by the dealer’s tech-speak. Ask for clarification if you are not sure, and ask for a second opinion if it sounds like waffle – it could save your life.

5. If you order optional extra safety equipment, ask for written confirmation of the exact kit you've ordered. When the car arrives, check that it matches your chosen spec, and ask the dealer to talk you through all the safety features.