Fiat Punto first car to get zero stars in Euro NCAP crash tests

The Punto has not been updated since 2005 but is still a strong seller at home in Italy.

The Fiat Punto has received the distinction of becoming the first car to get zero stars in the Euro NCAP's crashworthiness evaluations.

The supermini has not been significantly overhauled since 2005 but is said to be a strong seller in Fiat's home market of Italy. The testing agency says it has been "outclassed by every car" tested in recent history.

"This is perhaps the strongest example of a manufacturer continuing to sell a product that is well past its best-before date, at the expense of the unsuspecting car buyer," says Euro NCAP Secretary General Michiel van Ratingen.

Dummy readings indicated 'marginal' protection of the passenger's chest in the frontal offset test; 'weak' protection of the rear passenger's chest and 'marginal' neck protection in the full-width rigid barrier test; and 'poor' whiplash protection.