Seat belts
On old cars, belts may be missing from some seats or be simpler than modern ones. Check what is fitted and what condition it is in.
Safety
Safety
In short: an old car may lack systems drivers are used to — airbags, ABS, ESP and sometimes even seat belts in every seat. That is no reason to give up on a classic car, but it is a reason to drive differently and keep a closer eye on its condition.
What an old car may lack
Airbags
Most classic cars do not have them. Crash protection depends on the body structure and the seat belts.
ABS
Without anti-lock brakes, the wheels can lock under hard braking and the car can lose steering control.
ESP
Old cars generally have no electronic stability control: the driver has to correct a skid on their own.
How safety systems appeared
The dates mark the first appearance on a production model; it took years for these systems to spread to mass-market cars.
- 1978
Bosch ABS is offered on a production car for the first time — the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W116.
- Late 1990s
The immobiliser — an anti-theft rather than an active safety system — becomes mandatory for new cars in the EU under an EU directive.
- 2008
Volvo introduces City Safety on the XC60: the car can brake by itself in urban traffic.
Source Mercedes-Benz Classic / Bosch; Volvo Cars
How to allow for this behind the wheel
- Keep a long following distance: without ABS, hard braking takes skill
- Brake early and smoothly, especially on wet and slippery roads
- Do not count on electronics in a skid — slow down before corners
- Wear your seat belt and make sure passengers buckle up in seats that have belts
- Remember that modern cars in traffic around you stop more effectively
What to check regularly
- Brake hoses and the condition of the brake fluid
- Steering: free play and knocks
- Seat belt mountings and condition
- Lights and signals, so other road users can see the car
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz Classic / Bosch — history of ABS
- Volvo Cars — City Safety
- Tyre manufacturers’ recommendations
- Official information from vehicle registration authorities
This reference covers the history of automotive engineering and general principles. Take service schedules, capacities, torque settings and component specifications for a particular model only from the factory manual and parts catalogues. Check registration rules and the rules on modifications with the official authorities.