VW Sharan same as galaxy

Trying to buy a 7 seater for a while now - I had decided on a Ford Galaxy however it is hard to get one for my budget (14K) without a lot of mileage. I have now seen a VW Sharan being sold by a reputable dealer and am told they are basically the same as a Ford Galaxy. My main concern is safety as have 4 kids so if the galaxy is a safer car I will hold out. I find the ncap safety website confusing especially now with the new ratings system.
Can anyone give me advice on this please.

They are the same car just slightly different fittings.
I would be surprised if Fords are more expensive than VW's though.

Mermaid,

The VW Sharan, Seat Alhambra and pre-2006 Ford Galaxy are essentially the same car, all made on the same production line (in Portugal, I believe). Only the VW Sharan was tested by NCAP, and it got a poor 3-star rating. NCAP stated that they expected the Galaxy and Alhambra would get a similar score. So, it's not the best choice if safety is a concern.

The new (2006 and beyond) Ford Galaxy is a totally different model and it is this model that has the better 5-star NCAP rating. As you're talking about a €14k budget, I don't think the new Galaxy is within your reach.

However, you might be able to find a post-2003 Peugeot 807, Citroen C8 or Fiat Ulysse (all the same car, essentially) which have a 5-star NCAP rating and which are within your budget. The diesels are good.

If you want something really safe, especially for the 3rd row seats, then consider an 8 seater Toyota Landcruiser but be prepared to pay the higher road tax. I use some of the children's allowance to pay this extra charge as it's going towards their safety and well being. I've had Ford Galaxy and several other 7 seaters and find the Landcruiser brilliant. You could also try the Land Rover Discovery which would have cheaper tax due to it's smaller engine but Toyota reliability would be better.