BUYING CARS

"THAT KIND OF INFORMATION FEELS VITAL-AND IS THE SORT OF THING PEOPLE MIGHT WANT TO KNOW BEFORE SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE"

- By ELLIS HYDE

EURO NCAP SCORES DON'T MATTER UNTIL THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE...

PICTURE this: you're in a car dealership looking at what could be your new pride and joy, and the suave salesperson moseys on up to you. What's the first question you ask them?

How long is the warranty? How big's the boot? Likely, if you've got kids or lots of kit. Does the grille light up? Hopefully not, unless it's out of a sense of bewilderment or horror - especially if it's a Mercedes showroom you're in. But I bet you've never thought to ask "How safe is this car?".

If you did ask that question and the salesperson's response was either to fake getting a phone call or joke "Oh jeez, this thing is an absolute deathtrap!" before shamefully staring at the floor, I'd advise you to leave that dealership promptly.