Safety isn't just about ticking boxes – it's about protecting real lives. That's why our "Real-Life Safety" philosophy builds on over 50 years of accident research to go beyond the requirements of standard test scenarios.

By engineering our cars to handle real-life road accidents, we are contributing to making road traffic safer for everyone. Traffic safety is therefore one of our goals in our sustainable business strategy.

Mercedes-Benz safety features are designed to protect you every step of the way. From advanced systems that provide assistance and help avoid accidents to innovative technologies that prepare for the unexpected. And, of course, we have many systems that protect you in the event an impact is unavoidable. Even after an accident, our cars step in to ensure help arrives quickly, showing our commitment to safety from start to finish.

The availability of the equipment, functions, features and services shown depends on the respective vehicle model, the individual configuration and the respective market.

Built to protect when it matters most: From the rigid passenger cell and crumple zones to seatbelts, airbags and pre-collision systems, every element is designed to reduce the risk of injury if an accident can't be avoided. 

The availability of the equipment, functions, features and services shown depends on the respective vehicle model, the individual configuration and the respective market.

For decades, Mercedes-Benz has been redefining safety through innovation and research. From pioneering crash tests to analysing real-world accidents, every detail drives our development. By blending advanced technology, human-focused insights and expert collaboration, we create features that make every journey safer.

For more than 55 years, our in-house accident research centre has been investigating accidents involving Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The aim is to understand how injuries happen, how to reduce them and which advanced safety systems could have prevented the crash. What’s more, findings from real-life accidents can be used to define requirements for crash tests. 

Independent testing confirms the Mercedes-Benz standards. Mercedes-Benz models consistently achieve 5-star ratings from Euro NCAP, the European New Car Assessment Programme. Our commitment goes further than standard requirements, conducting the world's first public crash test involving two fully electric vehicles, demonstrating that our electric car safety technology is as robust as our combustion models.

On 10 September 1959, Mercedes-Benz began performing documented crash tests, where a test car was driven head-on into a solid obstacle, on open ground close to the production plant in Sindelfingen.

More recently, after years of researching the use of X-ray technology, Mercedes-Benz became the world's first car manufacturer to X-ray a crash test.

This high-speed X-ray technology works alongside other analysis tools within the test vehicle. In the milliseconds of the actual impact time, the X-ray system shoots around 100 still images, visualising the highly dynamic internal deformation processes within the vehicle structure and dummies, allowing precise analysis.

For over 65 years, Mercedes-Benz has been a pioneer in safety testing, continuously raising the bar for vehicle protection. Today, our experts conduct up to 900 crash tests and up to 1,700 sled tests every year at our Technology centre for Vehicle Safety – that’s more than seven per day.

By the time it is signed off for market launch, every completely new model has undergone up to 15,000 crash simulations and about 150 real crash tests.

We know that every human body is different. That’s why we use around 120 test dummies with a variety of body sizes and shapes, ranging in weight from that of a toddler to a super heavyweight boxer.

The aim is to ensure all our passengers are safe if their Mercedes-Benz is involved in an accident. We have been using crash test dummies representing female occupants for more than 20 years.

In the first-ever public crash test between two all-electric vehicles, we demonstrated safety in realistic collision scenarios. It proved that our vehicles are extremely safe, no matter what technology drives them. 

There's plenty more Mercedes-Benz technology to discover. They range from advanced driving assistance systems to integrated safety features, intelligent infotainment functions and lots more besides. All are developed to empower you, keep you safe and bring you joy.

Some of the model features, optional extras and colours shown may not be available, or may only be available in a different specification, or at a different price.