When buying a car for your family, there are two main factors to consider, safety and practicality.

We've had a think about what you should look for when purchasing a car for you and your family.

All car manufacturers are now required by law to design and engineer cars that will meet a minimum safety standard. According to a Swedish Folksam survey these basic safety measures have meant that the risk of serious injury and death has declined by more than 20% over the last ten years. This is mainly due to airbags, stronger 'safety cages' around the cabin, seatbelt pre-tensioners which restrain occupants better and improved shock-absorbing capacity at the front end of cars. That said there are many features that you should consider when buying a car for your family.

• Statistics also show that larger, heavier vehicles are safer than smaller, lighter ones. Twice as many occupants of small cars die in car accidents each year as occupants of large cars.
• Check for lateral air bags that protect passengers in the rear from side impact.

If you are buying a second hand car do careful checks for rust and corrosion which can seriously affect the car's structural integrity. Get a vehicle check done to check for chassis damage if the car has been in an accident.

It is illegal to use a rear facing infant carrier in a passenger seat equipped with an active airbag. If you want to use a rear-facing baby seat in the front, make sure you get a car without a passenger airbag or one where you can switch off the airbag.