Who are ADAC?

If you’ve been researching car seats, especially safety reviews or crash test results, you might have come across the name ADAC. But who exactly are they - and why do their results matter?

ADAC: who they are and what they do

ADAC stands for Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club, which translates to the General German Automobile Club. It’s Europe’s largest motoring organisation, similar to the AA or RAC in the UK - but with an even broader reach.

ADAC conducts independent, detailed testing on a wide range of products and services related to vehicles - including child car seats. Their car seat crash testing is considered among the most rigorous and respected in the world.

How is ADAC testing different?

ADAC tests go far beyond the legal minimums required by car seat regulations like R44 or R129. Their process includes:

• Higher-speed frontal crash tests than required by European regulation

• Side-impact testing, even for seats not legally required to pass it

• Assessments of everyday usability, including fit, installation, comfort, and potential misuse

• Chemical testing, checking for harmful substances in seat fabrics and padding

Each seat is given a score based on its performance in these categories. The lower the score, the better - unlike star ratings, ADAC uses a numeric system, with scores under 2.0 typically considered excellent.

Importantly, while all parts of the testing are useful, the crash performance section - referred to as “security” - is the most critical, and it makes up the largest part of the overall score. This section reflects how well the seat protects a child in a crash, and is the area parents should focus on most when comparing scores.

Why does it matter?

While all seats sold in the UK must meet minimum legal standards, not all perform equally well in real-world crash scenarios. ADAC’s testing helps highlight which seats go above and beyond, and which ones may underperform - even if they’re legal to sell.

Parents often rely on ADAC scores as one of several ways to help compare seats - especially when choosing between similarly priced options.

That said, results should always be looked at in context, not used in isolation. Here’s why:

• A seat might score well in ADAC testing but not fit safely in your specific vehicle

• A poorer-scoring seat may still be perfectly safe if the poorer score is due to things like ease of use rather than crash protection

• Many excellent seats aren’t tested by ADAC at all, due to cost or market limitations

In short, ADAC is a very helpful tool, but the best seat for your child is one that fits them, fits your car, is used correctly every time - and performs well in safety testing where available.

FAQ

Is a seat with no ADAC score unsafe?

No - many excellent seats haven’t been tested by ADAC, often due to costs or timing. It simply means you’ll need to rely on other trusted sources, like Swedish Plus Test certification or specialist retailer advice.

Where can I find ADAC results?

Results are published (in German) on the ADAC website, and often summarised in English by trusted UK retailers or review platforms.

Is a seat with an excellent ADAC score the best seat then?

Not necessarily. A great ADAC score means the seat performed well in crash testing - but the best seat for your child is one that also fits your car, suits your child’s size and stage, and can be used correctly every time. A top scorer that doesn’t install well in your vehicle or doesn’t fit your child properly isn’t the safest option in practice. The Swedish Plus Test is considered the gold standard testing and a seat with this accreditation is ideal.