There are several factors a car buyer must take into consideration before signing on the line for their brand spankin’ new ride. Some buyers consider price to be most important, others consider functionality of the car for their lifestyle, while others put safety at the top of their list. While all factors play an important role in the purchasing decision, this post is dedicated to safety.

Here is a list of some of the safety features we recommend you look into before purchasing a car:

1. Seat Belts

Seemingly one of the most obvious safety features, it’s important to realize that different cars may have different seat belts features (especially if you’re comparing an older used car to a new one.) Some safety belt features include adjustable upper belts that allow you to change the position of the shoulder strap depending on your passenger’s size. Some belts offer energy management capabilities that adjust their “give” in a crash so not all the force is exerted on your chest. And recently in 2011, Ford introduced inflatable seat belts that have inflatable interiors that expand with gas to increase the area of the restraint contacting the passenger. Be sure to ask about these and other seat belt features in the car of your interest.

2. Anti-lock Brake System

Anti-lock braking systems use the theories of threshold braking and cadence breaking in an automated program that keeps a driver’s breaks from locking up during “panic” braking which in turn allows the driver to maintain better steering control. For us Northwest Washingtonians up here, ABS is important for those wet and rainy days when the road can be pretty slippery.

3. Air Bags

Air bags provide a cushion between passengers and the dashboard, windshield, and interior objects of a car in a collision. It’s important to make sure that any vehicle you purchase is properly equipped with front and side air bags and that “smart” systems have been put into place to detect the weight of a passenger so that deployment of them is automatically turned off or on for optimal safety.

4. Head Injury Protection
Consisting of foam and other impact absorbing materials, head injury protection lines the trim of the interior of a car. Some vehicles are also equipped with head air bags that deploy when a vehicle rolls. Head restraints, the extension of a seat, also help reduce the risk of neck injuries and should be adjustable to fit the size of the passenger occupying it.

5. Vehicle History Report for Used Vehicles
Lastly, if the car is used, the dealer or independent seller should provide you with a vehicle history report on the car so you know if the car has been in any previous accidents or might be at risk for electrical malfunctions or a break down from wear and tear.