The least safe cars on sale 2018: Fiat Punto axed after zero-star Euro NCap rating

Fiat has pulled its Punto from sale after the hatchback became the first car ever to be awarded a zero-star rating by vehicle safety watchdog Euro NCap.

The Punto hit headlines in December when Euro NCAP - the European New Car Assessment Programme - gave it scores of just 51% for protecting adult occupants, 43% for protecting infants and 52% for pedestrian impact safety. 

The car, which has been on the UK market since 2005, got 0% in the safety assistance category, as it doesn’t come equipped with any semi-autonomous driving aids or “even a seatbelt reminder”, WhatCar? reports.

Its main rivals fared far better in the tough safety tests, in which cars can achieve a maximum of five stars. The Ford Fiesta, for instance, scoring 87%, 84% and 64% in the first three categories. 

Fiat is not expected to replace the Punto with a new model, says Autocar. Instead, efforts will go towards pushing sales of the 500 and a yet-to-be-released estate version of the city car. 

Although the 500 offers better occupant and pedestrian protection than the Punto, it is still far from the safest car on the market.

Here are the ten least safe cars on sale in the UK, according to the latest Euro NCap scores:

• Ford Mustang pre-facelift - two stars
• Fiat 500 - three stars
• DS 3 - three stars
• Fiat Doblo - three stars 
• MG ZS - three stars
• Alfa Romeo Giulietta - three stars
• Ford Ka+ - three stars
• Kia Picanto - three stars
• Ford Grand C-Max - three stars
• Ford C-Max - three stars