Crash Test 2008 - 20** Mercedes Benz ML Class (Front , Side amd Pole Test) Euro NCAP

Safety equipment Front seatbelt pretensioners Front seatbelt load limiters Driver frontal airbag Front passenger frontal airbag Side body airbags Side head airbags Driver knee airbag Car details Tested modelMercedes Benz ML320 CDI Body typeLarge Off Road 4x4 Year of publication2008 Kerb weight2204kg VIN from which rating appliesWDC1641221A 441475 Comments Front impact The Mercedes ML-Class is fitted as standard with 'Pre-Safe'. This system senses when an accident is likely to happen and optimises occupant safety by priming the restraint system. In Euro NCAP's test, 'Pre-Safe' was not engaged so the results reflect the vehicle's performance using only its conventional restraint systems. The occupant compartment and footwell remained stable during the impact. The dummy results showed that the front seat occupants knees and femurs were well protected. Mercedes showed with the use of knee mapping that the driver knee airbag and passenger restraint system would provide similar protection to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different seating positions. Side impact The car scored maximum points for its performance in the side impact and pole tests. Child occupant The label warning of the risks associated with using a child seat on the front passenger seat and the passenger airbag status information that was presented to users wanting to install a child restraint on the front passenger seat were insufficient. A system is available as an option on the ML-Class which automatically recognises when a similarly equipped child restraint is fitted to the front passenger seat and disables the airbag. The system was not fitted to either the test vehicle or Mercedes branded child restraint. Without this equipment, a rearward facing child restraint should not be used in the front passenger seat as the airbag cannot be manually disabled. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages was not clearly marked. Pedestrian The bumper and bonnet leading edge offered only poor protection for a pedestrians' legs. The bonnet top was also rated as predominantly poor for the protection offered to a child's head. Courtesy EuroNCap