Top cars fail Thatcham's high-tech whiplash test

A new form of crash test has found that many models of car fail to provide proper protection in a low speed crash. This means that two thirds of new cars currently on the market were found to be left wanting in the event of a rear end shunt - the most common form of accident.

Extensive testing by Thatcham - the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre - has proved that models that appeared safe, in less sophisticated static tests are now not offering proper protection to occupants. And many