Airbags and sidecurtains

[SKIDMARKS]

Just watched recorded 5th gear. There was an item about whether it's better to be in the front or the back of a car in an accident, which got me thinking I wonder how you would get on in a Volvo with the same 50mph slam into a wall.

I seem to recall somewhere in the car handbook or under the bonnet that these sidecurtains and airbags should be serviced after a set period. So I did wonder if they would actually work on a 10 year old car if they haven't been checked.

[A.J]

They do work unless impact is too small. I work for highways authority and get involved in dealing with road traffic collisions.

[LeeT5]

There should be a time date stamp sticker on the door shuts.
Regards the RTA...i would say it depends if you have an estate as there is more car to absorb the impact. The front is always designed to absorb harder shunts because it must prevent the engine finishing up on your lap.