Chinese-Made Car Slammed After Shocking Crash Test Failure, Gets Four Stars Anyway

The latest round of European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) testing has placed the MG 3 under intense scrutiny, after the Chinese-made hatchback experienced a serious seat latching failure during a crash test.

According to the independent safety body, it marked the first instance of such a malfunction since their testing program began in 1997. Despite the fault, the MG 3 still secured a four-star rating, a result that has now pushed Euro NCAP to reassess how it evaluates safety.

The “critical safety failure” was observed during the frontal offset impact test, with the driver’s seat twisting mid-crash due to the failed latch. Despite the fact that the passenger cell remained structurally stable, the unusual movement of the seat increased the risk of injuries, leading to a “poor” lower leg protection rating for the driver. The malfunction also meant Euro NCAP was unable to properly test for a range of occupant sizes.

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As if the problematic latch wasn’t enough, the dummy driver’s head pushed through the airbag and struck the steering wheel, which limited the rating for head protection to “adequate.” Euro NCAP noted that this highlights how small component failures can quickly compound the risk of injury, a problem that becomes even more pronounced in smaller cars with tighter cabins and less room for energy absorption.

MG’s Response

MG initially blamed the failure to an improper seat latching, but Euro NCAP confirmed that the component had been carefully checked before the crash test. The SAIC-owned brand agreed to implement a redesigned latch on the MG 3 production starting August 2025, and promised to tweak the driver’s airbag from October.

Euro NCAP plans to retest the model and will forward results to the European Vehicle Type Approval office if a recall is deemed necessary.

Euro NCAP

Four Stars Despite the Critical Failure

Although the fault was significant, Euro NCAP’s current scoring framework does not allow for a penalty tied to individual component breakdowns. The MG 3 therefore retained a four-star rating, which places it near the top of its class.

The car earned 74% in Adult Occupant protection, 74% in Child Occupant protection, 81% in Vulnerable Road Users, and 69% in Safety Assist. These figures reflect improvements in its driver assistance systems, following weaker results from ANCAP tests last year.

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The unusual outcome has already led Euro NCAP to consider changes to its rating process. Future updates are expected to target failures in safety-critical elements, ensuring manufacturers who leave such issues unaddressed face stricter penalties.

Euro NCAP’s Advice to Buyers

Commenting on the results, Dr. Aled Williams, Programme Director at Euro NCAP, described the discovery as deeply concerning:

“It is troubling to find a car on sale in 2025 with a fundamental weakness in its seat latching mechanism, an essential part of the car’s occupant restraint system. This fault has been reported to the relevant Type-Approval authorities so consideration can be given as to whether a vehicle recall should be issued. For that reason, we would recommend that consumers consider alternatives to the MG 3, using the search tool on our website to pick the safest cars that meet their needs.”

“This is an almost unheard-of occurrence, but one that Euro NCAP will address through changes to our protocols and scoring so we can reflect any failure – even if the car’s overall performance is good – in our ratings. Our role is to help make roads safer for all, and we will continue to strive for the improvement of vehicle safety to help achieve this goal.”

The second generation of the MG 3 was introduced in early 2024, adopting the latest styling language of the brand and featuring a self-charging hybrid powertrain with 192 hp (143 kW / 194 PS). In Europe, its main rival is the Toyota Yaris Hybrid, but it also competes with other small hatchbacks including the Renault Clio, Mitsubishi Colt, Peugeot 208, Opel Corsa, Citroen C3, Hyundai i20, VW Polo, Skoda Fabia, and Seat Ibiza.